Public Information Officer 3G at Prince George's County Government, MD

About the Department

Come join our team!

Prince George’s County Government provides a dynamic and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive, learn, and grow across its 30 diverse agencies, all dedicated to serving the County's residents with essential resources and services. Nestled just minutes away from Washington, DC, Prince George's County combines urban vibrancy with serene surroundings, offering an ideal setting to live, work, and enjoy life.

The Prince George’s County Health Department is currently seeking qualified applicants to fill a Public Information Officer 3G, grade G24 position, in the Office of The Health Officer Division.

About the Position

This is senior-level professional and supervisory journalistic and media relations work involving the preparation and dissemination of information to inform the internal/external communities of the services, project status, and operations of assigned agencies via prepared and presented reports and publications. The Public Information Officer III class is expected to identify and oversee agency informational initiatives, develop the most efficient and effective strategies to address identified agency needs, and ensure project plan enactment through agency coordination and supervision of subordinates. Work has an impact on the internal/external communities' knowledge and understanding of the organization, operation, and services of the assigned County government agency. Personal contacts occur on a regular and frequent basis with co-workers to exchange information, coordinate assignments, and resolve reporting problems. Other regular contacts include representatives at all levels of departments and agencies to obtain information and facilitate procedures for information dissemination and media relations; graphics designers concerning the design and content of materials; and representatives of print and broadcast media to exchange information concerning a variety of issues. This class of work occasionally requires employees to meet with or speak before the general public and citizen groups.

About the Agency

The Prince George's County Health Department's (PGCHD) vision is that all Prince Georgians are their healthiest at every age and every stage. Their mission is to lead, engage, and empower our community to work collaboratively towards disease prevention, health equity, and total well-being. The PGCHD works to protect and support the public’s health through numerous services that range from restaurant inspections and disease tracking to care coordination and health promotion. The department is composed of four divisions: Behavioral Health Services, Environmental Health and Disease Control, Family Health Services, and Health and Wellness, supported by the Office of Administration, Office of Human Resources and the Office of the Health Officer. The mandate of the department has been, and will remain, broad. This plan emphasizes improving core functions and operations, including protecting the public from health threats, implementing strategies to support healthy living, and maintaining a focus on vulnerable populations, while developing efficient internal processes to support these activities.

Position Duties

• Serves as information and media relations point of contact for assigned departments and agencies. 
• Works with department and agency representatives to plan dissemination programs, communication services, and presentation events.
• Supervises the work of subordinates engaged in public information and other communication activities. 
• Represents the assigned County agency to external departments and regional/federal intergovernmental groups. 
• Develops the most efficient and effective strategies to address agency information dissemination needs. 
• Leads strategic informational and communication planning for agency services and initiatives.
• Researches and develops information and communication policy to support agency strategic communication programs. 
• Conducts audience/constituent research on projects. 
• Ensures information dissemination project plan enactment through agency coordination and supervision of subordinates. 
• Produces County agency newsletters, including planning and selection of materials to be covered, researching, writing, and editing articles.
• Maintains liaison with department/agency program directors to assess and fulfill their publicity needs. 
• Monitors and edits the agency's County website content for style, accuracy, and timeliness. 
• Drafts informational project plans and arrangements, including necessary resources and production procedures. 
• Coordinates arrangements necessary to enact assigned agency information dissemination activity and press conferences.
•  Gathers information, writes, and arranges for the publication and distribution of press releases, newspaper articles, bulletins, pamphlets, and other news and promotional materials concerning County Government programs, services, accomplishments, and events of public interest.
• Responds to requests for information from print and broadcast media with appropriate communications and/or publications. 
• Drafts articles, outlines, and content frameworks for agency publications from informational research activities. 
• Drafts, edits, and posts scripts for media informational programming, social media sites, blogs, and websites. 
• Manages agency website and related digital communication platforms. 
• Serves as photographer for assigned events, such as awards ceremonies and proclamations. 
• Disseminates agency information at assigned events and ceremonies that may be held outside or in a fair-type setting. 
• Accordingly, employees must be able to perform routine display setups, lift up to 20 pounds of material, and monitor a booth-type setting for several hours at a time. 
• Willingly and cooperatively performs tasks and duties which may not be specifically listed in the class specification or position description, but which are within the general occupational category and responsibility level typically associated with the employee's class of work. 
  

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or related field. 
• Three (3) years of professional experience in journalism, public relations, or closely related field.
• Possessing a valid driver's license is an operational requirement.

• Master's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Mass Media Communications, Marketing, or a closely related field. 
• 5 years of professional experience in Public Relations, Journalism, Mass Media Communications, Marketing, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of the requirements of the Maryland Public Information Act, 508 Compliance, and other pertinent informational dissemination laws, and how to apply them for successful results.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software or other computer applications. 

EACH APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION THAT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.

Other Qualifications

Job Location: 9187 Central Avenue, Capitol Heights

Conditions of Employment: Upon selection, the candidate must:

• Meet all training and performance standards and demonstrate proficiency as required by the agency. 
• Wear and use agency protective apparel and equipment in the performance of their assigned duties, if applicable.
• Successfully pass preemployment checks which may include reference checks, background investigations, and drug screenings, where applicable.