DEFINITION

The Public Information Officer (PIO) is a senior executive position that will be responsible for executing external and internal communications for the agency and for maintaining and enhancing the reputation of the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) through a wide range of internal and external strategies, initiatives, and tasks.

The PIO will develop, implement, and lead communication strategies that facilitate OHA’s efforts to manage the OHA’s reputation and to communicate its mission, policies, activities, and achievements to a constituency that includes OHA employees, clients, media, elected and government officials and the general public. The PIO will work closely with OHA’s leadership team, and alongside OHA staff at all levels to implement comprehensive communications processes, and to complete projects and events within and outside OHA.

The PIO will serve as a spokesperson for OHA, under the close direction of the Executive Director, and will be responsible for engaging directly with the media, elected officials, and the public, as well as drafting key messages and talking points for the Executive Director. A successful PIO will develop an understanding of the interests and concerns of diverse groups and develop strategic relationships with these stakeholders. This position will also have oversight of internal communications policies and establishing external communications protocols across departments.

This position may require handling sensitive documents and information while ensuring adherence to policies according to local, state, federal and HUD regulations around privacy and data security, and record retention policies. The PIO will be responsible for understanding these policies and sharing public information as appropriate in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Media and Public Relations

Effectively communicates and promotes a high level of responsiveness to OHA clients, news media, elected officials, and the general public; and
Develops and maintains strong working relationships with local news media and journalists, elected officials, and other public information officers; and
Prepares press releases and distributes to the media and general public; and
Responds to media and public inquiries for information from OHA stakeholders regarding new developments, controversy and general issues at OHA and shares appropriate information clearly, respectfully, and accurately; and
Research data, gathers facts and work with staff to develop timely, accurate and appropriate responses to media inquiries; and
Organizes special events such as press conferences, public hearings, and meetings to announce major news and/or provide essential information. Answers on-the-spot questions when possible and proactively provides updates as developments changes; and
Identifies newsworthy events and develops and distributes briefings, fact sheets and other official communications to the media and other critical constituencies; and
Confidently explains OHA programs, policies, and activities; and
Monitors the organization’s reputation using a variety of methods such as through social media feeds, relevant news articles and explores comments on social media posts to evaluate public sentiment; and
Adapts ongoing media strategies to OHA’s changing needs with sensitivity to current events and issues outside OHA’s jurisdiction; and
Establishes procedures and guidelines for members of the organization to follow when interacting with the media and the public; and
Prepares written communications for the organization, including writing speeches and talking points, preparing correspondences and reports on behalf of the Executive Director and other OHA Department Directors; and
Provides professional staff support at Board Meetings and other OHA-related events where media representatives are in attendance.

External Communications Strategy and Implementation

Collaborates with management to establish a vision and strategy for the organization’s public voice; and
Ensures that all collateral developed for the organization is aligned with its mission and values; and
Identifies communications needs and functions that are not being fulfilled, gaps in services and opportunities to improve communications with stakeholders and the public; and
Identifies new communication opportunities and recommends appropriate communication vehicles; and
Responsible for the development of press releases, media relations, written materials, website content and communications campaigns; and
Independently anticipates the informational needs of key audiences and proactively develops communications to address them; and
Establishes and manages lines of communication with appropriate HUD offices.

Internal Communications Strategy and Implementation

Keeps senior leadership informed of developments and provides strategic communications analysis and counsel; and
Ensures employees are kept informed through various regular communications channels, such as email, social media, and regular newsletters; and
Works closely with senior leadership to refine organizational messages and formulate internal responses to new developments and issues as they arise; and
Ensures internal communications messages are consistent across all mediums and for different departments of the organization, and that internal communications are aligned with external messages; and
Considers feedback from staff and makes appropriate adjustments for continuous improvement; and
Identifies new communication opportunities and makes recommendations; and
Reviews existing communication strategies and recommends methods to improve employee and labor-related communications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public relations, public administration or a related field and a minimum of five (8) years of increasingly responsible experience in the development and implementation of communications strategies, including a minimum of three (3) years of senior management experience within the public sector.

A master’s degree in a related field such as public policy or public administration is desirable but not required. Experience in the field of affordable housing is highly desirable, with an understanding of OHA policies, programs, and developments, and their significance to the City of Oakland.

A master’s degree in a related field such as public policy or public administration is desirable but not required.

Must possess a valid California driver’s license and an insurable driving record.

Bilingual skills in ASL, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese and/or Spanish are a plus.

Equivalent combinations of education, training and experience will be considered.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Policies and procedures governing the release of information to the general public; statewide and local media markets, local politics and the legislative process, effective communication methods and practices; modern software applications.

Ability to: Translate complex policy issues into messages that are understandable and accessible to a variety of audiences both internally and externally, represent OHA publicly, including at public speaking events and to the press; working effectively and collaboratively with a diverse group of individuals at all organizational levels; assess and prioritize public information needs and identify appropriate communications channels and solutions; travel to various locations within and outside of the City of Oakland in order to fulfill job responsibilities including the attendance at professional meetings, seminars, conference and training activities; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; develop, edit and finalize press releases; gather and analyze data; appropriately handle confidential and sensitive information; prepare clear and concise reports; supervise and evaluate staff, effectively use standard Microsoft Suite tools (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) in a PC environment.

TO APPLY: Please complete an employment Application online at www.oakha.org. Applications must be received by WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16TH, 2024 BY 8:59PM PST.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

Thank you for your interest in employment at the Oakland Housing Authority.

To apply for this position, applicants must complete and submit an online application at www.oakha.org by the date indicated; a current, detailed resume must be attached and will not be accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.

All applications and resumes will be carefully screened. Those applicants whose education and experience most closely match the requirements of the position will be invited to compete in the examination process. Candidates who compete successfully in this examination will have their names placed on a List of Qualifiers. An appointment will be made from the List. For some positions, an experience/training rating and/or written evaluation of candidates will be used in lieu of the oral examination. The names of the highest-ranking candidates will be placed on the List of Qualifiers, and the final selection will be made from this List. College degrees or units required for the position will be verified prior to final appointment. If this information cannot be verified for a candidate, the candidate's name will not be placed on the List of Qualifiers. All appointments are subject to the approval of the Executive Director.

All prospective employees must pass a physical examination and drug screening by an Authority-designated physician. A pre-employment criminal history background check will also be conducted for all positions. For positions requiring use of an Authority vehicle, candidates' driving records will be checked prior to appointment. To be eligible for appointment, each candidate must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and a driving record acceptable to the Authority's insurer. All prospective employees must also provide proof of American citizenship, or legal resident status and the legal right to work in the United States.

Prior to becoming permanent, new employees must successfully pass a probationary period.

BENEFIT INFORMATION

Employees of the Authority enjoy a competitive fringe benefit program.

SICK LEAVE is accrued at the rate of one day per month.

VACATION LEAVE for new employees is accrued at the rate of 10 days each year. There are also fifteen (15) paid holidays each year.

RETIREMENT - The Authority is a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The Authority also participates in Social Security.

COMPETITIVE HEALTH, DENTAL, AND VISION INSURANCE is available.

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE is fully paid by the Authority.

Management, supervisory, professional and confidential employees are also entitled to a management benefit package allowance and five days of administrative leave per year.

The Oakland Housing Authority does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran's status or disability in the employment or the provision of services.

In compliance with the federal, state and local disability laws, the Oakland Housing Authority will provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to disability. The Authority is committed to making reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Individuals requesting reasonable accommodation in the examination process must do so no later than five (5) working days after the point of invitation by the Authority to an examination, otherwise it may not be possible to arrange accommodation for this selection process. The Human Resources Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate disabled applicants. Applicants with special needs, please call (510) 874-1575 (voice); (510) 832-7331 (TDD).

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Public Information Officer