PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER bei Clark County, NV

About the Department

Clark County is seeking qualified candidates to apply for the Public Information Officer position for Office of Communication and Strategy, and District Attorney’s Office.

Office of Communications and Strategy: Office of Communications and Strategy’s Public Information Officer develops and executes communications, marketing, advertising, public relations, public outreach and media plans in support of the organization. Defines and implements strategies and tactics in support of county initiatives. Responds to news media requests for information and interviews and pitches stories to news media, bloggers, influencers and communicators. Engages with community groups to communicate organizational messaging and to elevate issues or initiatives of importance for the community to the county. Helps to develop the communications and engagement strategy to ensure County messages and resources resonate with the community. This position may be assigned to supervise professional, technical or support staff.

The District Attorney’s Office: The District Attorney’s Public Information Officer will serve as the spokesperson for the District Attorney and the liaison on all media relations. This role will be responsible for the distribution of press releases, coordination of media interviews and press conferences, as well as the daily correspondence with print, online, and TV media representatives. In addition, this role will provide a critical role in preparing speeches, talking points, newsletter stories, and providing presentations to internal and external community groups. The ideal candidate must have strong knowledge of the principles and best practices of public relations and communication affairs to respond to news media and community groups for information, engagement, event invitations, and interviews.

Position Duties

Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Communications, or a field related to the work, AND four (4) years of full-time professional level experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, communications, or a closely related field preferably in a public agency setting. Professional level experience that has provided the skills and knowledge necessary to perform all job functions at this level may be substituted for the education on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two (2) years. 

All qualifying education and each experience must be clearly documented in the “Education” and “Work Experience” sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see attached resume" on your application. All details must be written in your own words and cannot be copied from job descriptions or other external sources.
 
Licensing and Certification: Specified positions may be required to possess a valid Nevada Class C driver's license at time of appointment.
 
Background Investigation: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation. Periodically after employment background investigations may be conducted.
 
Citizenship: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Please note, Clark County does not provide H1B visa sponsorships or transfers for any employment positions.
 
Pre-Employment Drug Testing: Employment is contingent upon the results of a pre-employment drug examination.

Minimum Qualifications

• Engages community groups to communicate organizational messaging and to elevate issues or initiatives of importance for the community to the county.
• Helps to develop the communications and engagement strategy to ensure County messages and resources resonate with the community.
• Provides complex and sensitive issues management and programmatic support to the County Manager, Board of Commissioners and/or a major department.
• Assists in developing goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the department or program to which assigned.
• Writes news releases, media advisories, speaking points, speeches, web copy, newsletter articles, blog posts, social media posts, advertisements, public service announcements, scripts and supportive collateral.
• Plans and executes successful news media events.
• Coordinates with video, graphic and digital media staff on appropriate visual support of messaging and ensure content is grammatically and otherwise correct.
• Plans effective news conferences and media events along with supportive messaging, visuals and collateral.
• Coaches news conference and media event participants on how to effectively communicate their messaging and prepares them for worst-case scenario media questions and developments.
• Aligns with department priorities to strategically develop campaigns or outreach opportunities for the community.
• May provide project or ongoing leadership or direct supervision to professional, technical or support staff, including work assignment, training and review of work; depending upon assignment, may provide input into selection, evaluation, disciplinary and other personnel matters; may sign evaluation forms and counsel employees as required.
• Directs the maintenance of and/or maintains accurate records and files related to the areas of assignment.
• Prepares a variety of technical, statistical and narrative reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit's service to its customers by offering suggestions and directing or participating as an active member of a work team.
• Uses standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course of the work.
• May drive a County or personal motor vehicle to attend meetings and visit work sites.

Other Qualifications

Mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment, and be capable of traveling to and from various work sites or other County locations; specified positions may be required to drive a motor vehicle in order to attend meetings and visit various work sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone. Accommodation may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.