Hybrid Public Information Specialist bei Pierce County, WA

About the Department

Position Duties

Do you have a passion for managing public information in high-stakes, emergency situations? Then this Public Information Specialist position may be the role for you.
  
The Communications Department provides communication counsel and support to all three branches of Pierce County government. Our goal is to create engaging and timely information about programs, projects, activities, and actions taken by County leaders and departments. To learn more about the Communications Department, please visit our website.
 

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

As a member of the Communications team supporting Emergency Management, you will be an influential key partner in sharing Pierce County's emergency preparedness story. Your immediate primary focus will be reviewing and updating the County's Crisis Communication Plan to effectively reach and inform people in emergency situations. You will be given the flexibility to create unique content, design public education campaigns, and promote the Department of Emergency Management through social media and community engagement. This position is only limited by your creativity and energy! 

Why It's a Great Department: 

The Communications Department is a collaborative and team-oriented environment that works to provide outstanding service to our internal clients and the public. The team in the department is filled with passionate and talented communicators. The variety of work assignments creates a dynamic and fast-paced environment.  

This position specifically supports the Emergency Management Department to create resilient communities and enhance public safety by empowering the people of Pierce County to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from all types of hazards, emergencies, and disasters.

Learn more about Emergency Management here.

How to be Successful in the Role: 

This role demands flexibility and a readiness to respond at any hour; emergencies don’t follow a schedule. When a crisis occurs, you’ll be relied upon to deliver clear, timely, and strategic communication across multiple platforms. Building strong, collaborative relationships with first responders and agency public information officers across the County will be essential. Your ability to advise the director and leadership team on community engagement, preparedness strategies, and public awareness efforts will be a key factor in your success.

During training, you’ll meet regularly with your supervisor and the Emergency Management leadership team to set personal goals, align on expectations, review client satisfaction feedback, and evaluate the performance and reach of social media efforts.

Your Future in this Role: 

The Communications and Emergency Management Departments will work together to provide you with real-time training opportunities alongside other experienced teammates. You will have additional training/educational opportunities through the county’s leadership development program, CivicPlus publishing platform, the Communications Director and colleagues, and LinkedIn Learning. Your work will directly impact your community, and it offers a great foundation for future positions within the Communications Department and Pierce County.

Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Develops communications strategies and campaigns, engagement opportunities, educational programs, and other tactics designed to inform, educate, or gain acceptance by the public. Meets with departmental representatives to understand projects and objectives.
• Creates communications strategy and assets, both print and digital media campaigns.
• Creates communications strategic plans for projects, campaigns, or emerging issues.
• Works with the media and internal stakeholders to address media inquiries. Serves as a spokesperson.
• Creates meaningful and respectful opportunities to meet with community leaders, civic groups, residents, and special interest groups to present initiatives or projects.
• Writes and edits a variety of written material, including, but not limited to, press releases, reports, publications, websites, and other campaigns

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Minimum Qualifications

• A resume and cover letter are required for this position. Applications without this information will not be considered. 
• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, English, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Business Administration, or other closely related field, plus;
• At least two years’ experience directly related to the duties of the position.
• Additional education or experience that clearly indicates the ability to perform the essential functions of this position may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.

Other Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:   www.piercecountywa.org/jobs. 
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at [email protected] and specify the Job Number and Title. 
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480 at least two days prior to the need.  

This is a competitive selection process. Your application will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes, which may include assessments, phone screens, and interviews.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion mean commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have a local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a place people are proud to call home?