City of Springfield, Oregon:  Public Information and Education Specialist

 

 

This is a class specification and not an individualized job description.  A class specification defines the general character and scope of responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list every duty for a given position in a classification.

 

 

Representation:  OPEU

 

FSLA:  Exempt

 

Job Code:  165154

 

Grade/Range: 123

                                                                                                                                                                   

 

                                                         General Summary of Duties

Under the general supervision of a department manager or supervisor, plans, develops, organizes, coordinates, and implements a public relations, citizen involvement, and/or education programs, designed to create increased awareness and understanding of  City, and Department services or programs.  Performs related duties as required.

 

 

                                                       Distinguishing Characteristics

The Public Information and Education Specialist position is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing the public information and education program for MWMC and Public Works programs; promoting awareness and understanding of  services, policies, projects and issues through proactive communication with citizens, employees, students, news media and special interest groups. 

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The Public Information and Education Specialist is distinguished from the Community Relations Coordinator position in that the later is responsible City wide for managing media relations, community relations, and public involvement as well as being a member of the Executive Team.

 

 

Supervision Received and Exercised:  The position receives direction from the ESD Manager or Supervisor.  It does not have supervisory responsibilities.

             

 

Essential Job Functions: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks, which may be found in positions of this class.

 

·         Plans, organizes, and coordinates the development of public relations and education efforts directed at a variety of internal and external audiences, including individuals, organizations, and members of the community; provides information regarding the City’s services, programs, accomplishments, and regulations; may promote and/or market services or programs provided by the Department;

·         Plans, organizes, schedules and conducts public contact and education programs designed to meet the Department’s objectives; promotes services and programs through speeches, presentations, newsletters, websites, special events, tours, exhibits, films, videos, photography, and question and answer sessions; represents the City, and the Department, at public, social, educational, and community gatherings;

·Utilizes computers and desktop/website publishing software to prepare and distribute fact sheets, news releases, brochures, photographs, video or audio tapes, and reports, to the media representatives and other persons who may be interested in the Department’s services and programs;

·         Coordinates the purchases of advertising time and/or space, and works with advertising representatives to write and design effective advertisements;

·         Provides public relations and media training and technical information to Department staff, other employees, other agencies, and community groups;

·         Coordinates surveys and other research to determine the needs and opinions of consumers, clients, agency professionals, and members of the community;

·         May complete and submit proposals for grants; provides reporting information to grantors as required;

·         May plan, develop, and coordinate a formal marketing program to promote City services, and/or increase membership in programs;

·         Participates in various department projects and provides the necessary professional support for data gathering and analysis, report preparation, and interdepartmental and interagency information sharing;

·         Maintains regular job attendance and adherence to working hours;

·         Performs other related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

 

 

                                                                    Qualifications

Knowledge of:

·         the principles, methods, practices, and procedures for coordinating and operating a public relations and information program;

·         of the role of public relations in public and private organizations;

·         school curriculum development and education techniques;

·         current, effective marketing techniques and strategies;

·         media requirements and procedures as they relate to public relations and information;

·         data gathering, processing, and analysis methods;

·         report writing techniques;

·         computer capabilities and applications as they relate to public relations and information programs;

·         grant writing, application, and reporting requirements;

 

Ability to:

·         Develop and coordinate a public relations and information work plan and program, and make the necessary recommendations for change;

·         Successfully market a City service or program to a variety of customers;

·         Analyze information and reach appropriate conclusions;

·         Complete timely, accurate, understandable, reports;

·         Utilize word processing, spreadsheet, database, and network operating systems sufficiently to perform the duties of the position;

·         Identify community and group needs, and develop a public relations and information strategy to match those needs;

·         Communicate in oral, written, and electronic formats, to include speaking before groups of varying size;

·         Understand and interpret technical information and present it in a manner that is understood by a variety of audiences;

·         Satisfactorily represent the program, the department, and the City;

·         Travel as required

·         Establish and maintain effective work relationships with co-workers, contractors, vendors, other agencies and the public;

 

 

 

Experience and Training:  Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the job.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:

 

Training:  Completion, or equivalent, of four years of college with major coursework in Environmental Studies, public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, education, or a related field.  A strong background in environmental sciences or environmental education is desired.

 

Experience:  Related work experience, typically two years, in public relations, marketing, communications, education, or citizen involvement programs.  Experience with water resources management or other environmental management issues is highly desired.

 

 

                                                      Required Special Qualifications

·         None

 

 

                                                               Working Conditions

The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment.       

 

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation.  Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to the disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation.

 

Classification History:

9/05:  Revised format. Re-arranged the essential duties so that #4 became #2 and #3 became #5.  Added emphasis on environmental studies and experience in education and experience section.