Public Info. Officer/Communications Manager #147
Spokane Regional Human Resources
Spokane, WA
Full-time
Advertising / Marketing / Public Relations
Posted on June 30, 2019
Job #147 Public Info. Officer/Communications Manager
Full time opening in Administration.
Purpose: The Public Information Officer (PIO) manages the Communications team and coordinates the district’s communications and public relations activities. This includes media relations, agency communications, writing and editing, and emergency and risk communications.
Program Management:
- Manages and supervises the program staff, including assuring staff are trained and equipped to perform their duties.
- Supervises staff, including the completion of employee evaluations, interviewing, hiring, and recommending promotions or terminations.
- Manages Communications program budget, planning and activities amending each as needed.
- Participates as a member of agency’s Joint Management Team.
- Develops and/or monitors program grants and contracts to ensure compliance.
Media
- Manages agency-wide media relations and serves as primary media contact coordinating content experts for response through interviews, key messaging, and press releases.
- Provides communication expertise to ensure that the agency’s communication policies and practices enhance credibility, reputation and public image.
- Manages components of information development and dissemination including materials development, website, video production and advertising.
- Develops and implements strategic approach for use of media as primary public information tool utilizing evidence-based approaches to activities, work plans, and quality improvement methodologies to ensure effective program messaging.
- Manages proactive and reactive media contact for consistency and appropriate messaging.
- Provides media training to staff.
- Provides public information consultation for other local health jurisdictions.
External Communication
- Uses formative analysis and various communication strategies to assist the SRHD and its programs in design and development of marketing/communication campaigns consistent with program goals and SRHD’s mission, vision, values and strategic goals.
- Participates in evaluation of marketing/communication campaigns to determine quality improvement opportunities.
- Researches and monitors public health topics, emerging issues and trends to provide resources to SRHD programs and leadership.
- Acts as resource for writing and editing documents for media, marketing, reports, external correspondence, and web and digital content.
- Develops, maintains, and adheres to brand identity and Communications Style Guide in all forms of communication.
- Participates in the development of agency/SRHD overarching marketing campaign seeking opportunities to convey agency’s mission, strategic agenda, and key health messages.
- Creates, executes, monitors and evaluates agency and program marketing initiatives and communication activities. Consults with program staff on external communication goals.
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with various community and professional organizations; represents the Health District on committees, councils, and task forces to promote SRHD services and public health role in community.
Internal Communication
- Collaborates with SRHD’s Executive Leadership Team to develop guidelines and processes for staff to utilize for the development of materials
- Facilitates communication of agency news through SRHD intranet.
- Participates on SRHD committees as needed.
- Assists in planning and facilitation of SRHD quarterly forums and all-staff meetings.
- Acts as resource for writing and editing documents for media, marketing, reports, external correspondence, and web and digital content.
- Recommends web content/design to SRHD’s Executive Leadership and facilitates design and build through external vendor; analyzes website for effectiveness and efficiencies.
- Utilizes the Communications program staff to advise and train programs how to effectively write and update content on website and use content management system (CMS) for quality review.
Emergency and Risk Communication
- Maintains and executes agency’s Risk and Emergency Communications plan acting as communications lead in identified emergency response situations in which SRHD is the public health lead.
- Provides risk communications training to SRHD employees.
- Collaborates with community PIOs and attends various trainings and participates in collective exercises.
- Participates in regional/state risk communication committees.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in journalism, communications, English, marketing, public relations or a closely related field.
- Five years of increasingly responsible relevant professional experience in communications, public/media relations, journalism, marketing or other closely related field with at least one-year experience as a PIO or similar position. Prefer experience in public health.
- An equivalent combination of education, experience and professional certification may be considered provided the individual’s background demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position.
Required Licensure/Certifications:
- Valid motor vehicle license and current auto insurance.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to operate a keyboard and type 40 wpm.
- Ability to work flexible work hours (flex time work agreement required).
- Ability to successfully manage and meet multiple deadlines, sometimes concurrently.
- Ability to prioritize workload and flexibility to manage concurrent projects.
- Strong oral and written communications skills; ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; ability to present information clearly and effectively to people a wide variety of backgrounds and educational levels including clients, staff, healthcare providers, public officials, and community partners. Strong spelling, grammar, and editing skills.
- Strong reasoning skills; ability to function in a fast-paced proactive and reactive work environment; must be able to anticipate and adjust staffing to fluctuations in workload.
- Knowledge of public health issues and trends.
- Knowledge of District philosophies, policies, and procedures.
- Skills in supervisory techniques, including employee and workload management, motivation, empowerment, and assessment and evaluation of staff.
- Ability to plan, manage, and evaluate programs.
- Skills in working with community organizations and group processes.
- Ability to contribute ideas, solutions, and perspectives regarding agency management issues.
- Ability to provide effective leadership and management skills.
- Ability to represent the Health District in a well-informed, professional, and effective manner.
Environmental Factors:
- Indoors, sedentary with 2-8 hours/day sitting or standing
- 2-4 hours/day keyboarding or typing at a computer terminal
- Communication skills to interact effectively with people
- Comprehend and process verbal communication
- Visual acuity to read small print
- Ability to bend, twist, stoop on an occasional basis
- Ability to carry up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis
- Ability to type, file and complete forms with or without accommodation
- Ability to operate a vehicle or otherwise access multiple sites in a timely manner
- Ability to travel frequently
E.O.E.