Job Summary

Are you a proactive and adaptable individual who can thrive in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of professionalism and confidentiality? Then bring your talents to the Travis County Clerk’s Office!

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a Public Information Specialist. This is a mid-level position that will play a crucial role in supporting the External Affairs team, with a focus on communicating information to the general public via news media, print media, and social media.

Areas of focus will include:

Social media: Develop, schedule, and execute digital media campaigns designed to educate the public across all County Clerk social media platforms; develops social media content to include video, photo and graphics content for public distribution; works closely with the Assistant Director of External Affairs and Community Liaison to identify ways social media may be used to enhance events, programs, and initiatives; and work in partnership with other County Clerk contributors to create and maintain a presence via digital media.

Media relations: Researches, writes, and prepares public statements, website updates, social media posts, and other communication materials to inform the public about agency initiatives, policies, and events; serves as liaison between departments, media and the public; builds and maintains positive relationships with journalists, responding to media inquiries, and arranging interviews with elected official; writes scripts for video presentations and public speaking events.

The ideal candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and experience with media relations, social media, and photo and video editing tools.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a job classification within the Public Information job family. This classification is a liaison between the news media, other agencies and the general public for Travis County Commissioner's Court and countywide operations. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department. This classification may require work in secure facilities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Researches, collects, prepares, writes and disseminates countywide information for social media outlets, publications, brochures and news media press releases. Performs editorial assignments as required. Writes scripts for radio ads, slide and video presentations. Films, edits and produces videos for countywide use.
Develops public information plans and strategies and coordinates employees' responses to news media questions.
Represents the departments in interviews with broadcast and print media. Serves as liaison between departments, media and the public.
Stages and promotes special events for countywide operations.
Responds verbally and in writing to inquiries regarding countywide activities and events. On request, composes and delivers speeches to local and statewide events, seminars, local community organizations, recruitment fairs, and other events.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Advertising or a directly related field AND three (3) years of progressively responsible public information, public relations, public information writing, public affairs/ community relations/outreach or similar such program experience;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Class C Driver's License.
May be required to respond to media events and public interest events seven days per week, 24-hours per day.

Preferred:
Written and verbal fluency in Spanish.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

Public relations principles, practices and techniques.
Functioning of broadcast news media preferably, including a familiarity with the local media marketplace.
Event coordination, production, planning procedures and techniques.
County public relations strategies and practices.
Principles and methods used in researching, organizing, writing, editing and producing copy.
Principles and methods used in filming, editing, and producing videos.
Functions, policies and procedures, principles, practices and techniques of countywide operations.
Public relations and promotional methods.
Applicable federal, state, local and county relations and promotional methods.

Skill in:

Business English, spelling, letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
Both verbal and written communication.
Problem solving and decision-making.

Ability to:

Work in a highly visible position.
Manage highly sensitive issues while subject to public scrutiny.
Work calmly, effectively and decisively.
Communicate and interact effectively with a wide variety of people, elected officials, other County departments, local and state agencies, news media organizations, private organizations, special interest groups and the general public.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, other County employees and officials, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to up to 20-50 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to stressful environment and client and customer contact for extended periods of time.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: Monday -Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Department: County Clerk

Location: 5501 Airport BLVD Austin, TX

Criminal, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Travis County

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PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST