Public Information and Affairs Administrator na County of Orange, CA

About the Department

The County of Orange, District Attorney (OCDA) represents the People of the State of California in criminal and civil proceedings, serves the court and criminal justice system, and the Orange County Grand Jury. The mission of the Office of the District Attorney is to enhance public safety and welfare and to protect and respect crime victims and to create security in the community through the vigorous enforcement of criminal and civil laws in a just, honest, efficient, and ethical manner. The Office consists of three major divisions: Legal, Investigative Bureau, and Administration.

THE OPPORTUNITY 
The Public Information and Affairs Administrator will be the trusted personal representative and liaison from the Office of the District Attorney to other local, regional, state and federal agencies. This position will develop and enhance communications between the Office of the District Attorney and various stakeholders including elected officials, regulatory agencies and the public. The position will also expand public outreach on behalf of the Office of the District Attorney to the community, business, civic and other organizations desiring more information, clarity, and education on county finances. This position will oversee internal and external public information activities on behalf of the Office of the District Attorney.

This position will serve as a 24/7 on-call spokesperson to act as a liaison for the OCDA with outside agencies and media outlets. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Coordinate all media coverage, press releases and other media-related items for the OCDA on local, national, and international media levels;
• Effectively communicate legal concepts and serve as the OCDA's 24/7 on-call spokesperson to radio, newspaper, and television reporters;
• Effectively collaborate with internal staff and other County and law enforcement agencies;
• Conduct media relations training sessions for staff as needed;
• Create and develop press conferences and media plans by crafting objectives and strategies;
• Write speeches, create social media content, and other public communications;
• Host and organize the Victim's Rights Rally;
• Create and develop the OCDA's biennial report;
• Advise OCDA executives on media/public affairs issues;
• Maintain the OCDA's social media accounts and current Web site

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES:
The ideal candidate must have experience in media relations, communications, or a related field; knowledge of criminal law and the legal justice system is desirable; and proven experience, ability and expertise which would demonstrate the following desirable qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, marketing, public/media relations, communications, business administration, advertising or a related field;
• A minimum of five years of experience serving as the spokesperson for a law enforcement agency or other related field;
• Substantial experience working directly with an elected official or Department Head;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proven ability to explain complex legal terminology into easily understandable public communications;
• Substantial experience in print and broadcast media and knowledge of public relations practices;
• Substantial understanding of the role of the District Attorney’s Office as well as the criminal justice system as a whole;
• Strong verbal and written skills to effectively communicate in print and broadcast to media;
• Ability to maintain confidential discretion;
• Ability to bring creative and innovative ideas to an existing organization;
• Demonstrated ability to work well and produce a quality product under pressure;
• Ability to effectively manage multiple employees;
• Work well with varying levels of the organizational hierarchy and varying levels of expertise;
• Proven success in developing effective media campaigns;
• Ability to understand and synthesize complex factual and legal situations and communicate these concepts effectively to the general public;
• Successfully manage competing priorities and fast-changing deadlines;
• Work within the context of applicable California Bar Rules of Professional Responsibilities and policies;
• Ability to create strategic thinking.

The successful candidate will demonstrate job knowledge and related experience in the following competencies in addition to the education and experience listed under the minimum qualifications.

Professional | Technical

• Experience in public relations and media relations
• Experience and skill developing and executing communications efforts that target both internal and external audiences
• Work cooperatively within the department to ensure the clarity and consistency of messages issued through all communication channels.

Effective Communication | Interpersonal Skills

• Ability to speak in public as a lead representative at various events
• Use interpersonal skills to guide and coordinate communications throughout the agency
• Experience in public relations, media relations, and/or other inquiries
• Serve as a liaison and spokesperson on behalf of the organization interfacing with political officials, administrators, the community and/or various departments/agencies
• Possess acumen related to communication strategies for organizations with ongoing operations that are sensitive to the public

Problem Solving and Analysis

• Research, organize, accurately interpret, and apply relevant data
• Accurately identify issues, impacts, and solutions
• Integrate new ideas and contemporary approaches into problem solving

Leadership | Management

• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, and establish priorities
• Mentor and develop staff by using a supportive and collaborative approach on a consistent basis
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality and excellence

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Please click here to be directed to the class specification for full details regarding the minimum qualifications.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
District Attorney Human Resources screens all applications to identify if the applicant qualifies for the position based on the skills required to meet the needs of the Department. After the initial screening, qualified candidates will be referred to the next step of the recruitment process.

Application Appraisal Panel | Application Screening (Weighted 100%): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened/rated for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates that meet the desirable qualifications listed in the job bulletin will be placed on the eligible list.

Eligible List
Once the recruitment step has been completed, District Attorney Human Resources will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Department's needs, the recruitment process listed above may be modified. Applicants will be notified of any change(s) in the recruitment process.

Position Duties

BACKGROUND SCREENING:
Candidates under consideration for hire by the District Attorney will be required to pass an extensive background investigation to the satisfaction of the department. 

EMAIL NOTIFICATION: 

Minimum Qualifications

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