PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST / Emergency Appointment Fire

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT: OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY

We will be begin accepting applications on March 26, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT). We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.

EXAM NUMBER: C1608C-FR

The LA County Board of Supervisors has unanimously ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency in response to the windstorms and wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton Fires, that have devastated communities across the County. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to assist the County in mobilizing resources and support needed to help our residents recover and rebuild. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

The Department of Public Works is seeking qualified candidates to fill an emergency Public Information Specialist vacancy related to this unprecedented natural disaster.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

Before the end of your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.

Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Public Information Specialist.

A Public Information Specialist is responsible for a combination of the following job functions: 

• Provides accurate and timely information during emergency or disaster incidents as a Public Information Officer reporting to a departmental operations center or joint information center. 

• Develops internal and community relations publicity campaigns designed to provide the public with accurate and timely information about the department, its programs and people. 

• Develops content for various communication channels, including websites and social media platforms; drafts newsletters, brochures, articles, speeches and talking points for department executives; oversees layout, design and translation of materials for printing. 

• Provides direct and proactive advice, consultation, and assistance to management regarding public information matters, including direct assistance in researching, providing information to the public and developing messages.

• Writes social media posts and creates basic social media graphics and media releases regarding departmental activities, services, programs, and functions; prepares pamphlets and brochures for distribution.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with communications staff at other agencies, both public and private, and media representatives; responds promptly to media inquiries and directs questions to appropriate staff. 

• Arranges press conferences and notifies media representatives of newsworthy events, programs and initiatives.

• Coordinates external communications channels, including social media and website, preparing written and visual contents such as web articles, brochures, newsletters, and reports for distribution to the various communication channels; coordinates videography and photography, as needed.

• Researches departmental projects for proactive media outreach (story pitches).

• Analyzes and evaluates data to make appropriate communications recommendations for management.           

• Coordinates and oversees a wide variety of information and communication activities for the department such as press conferences, media events, tours, outreach events, and related activities. 

• Handles intake and response to media requests for information under the California Public Records Act, in coordination with departmental management, County Counsel and the department’s Public Records Act coordinator. 

• Evaluates effectiveness of communications programs and implements changes, as needed. 

• Serves as liaison between the department and media representatives and develops effective relationships with media outlets.

• Monitors and tracks issues affecting the department; monitors media channels and informs management accordingly.

• Works with department representatives to develop internal communications such as annual report, annual budget, mission and vision, and other critical documents.

• Serves as an information conduit to Board staff and Board Deputies and alerts them of inquiries regarding controversial or high-profile issues involving the department; provides opportunities to generate accurate media coverage to highlight departmental activities to the public.

• Participates in responding to newsworthy events and media inquiries, including emergency and crisis communications.

• Develops and maintains internal communication projects.

• Assesses effectiveness of digital content using online metrics.

• Maintains departmental website’s public information content.

• Serves as a supervisor to public information staff engaged in public information and engagement program, as needed.

• Manages a photo archive of key word-searchable photos, as needed.

• Assists in creating public relations strategies.

• Responds to emergencies, newsworthy events, and media inquiries.

• Staffs public information booth and makes presentations to community groups.

• Drives to different sites, as necessary.

The duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited* college or university with a major in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Public Relations, English or a closely related field - AND - Three years of experience at the level of Los Angeles County’s class of Public Information Associate** assisting in the development, maintenance, evaluation, implementation, and coordination of a public information program or professional experience*** as a journalist within a media organization. One additional year of the required experience will be accepted for each year of college.

**Experience at the level of County of Los Angeles class of Public Information Associate, is defined as: assists in the initiation, planning, development, maintenance, evaluation, implementation and coordination of a public information and engagement program for a government, public sector, or large-scale private sector organization of 500 employees, a million in annual revenue, and operations across multiple cities/regions, or a non-profit that conducts large scale outreach efforts of 500 people through multiple communication channels (i.e., media campaigns, events, or digital platforms). For a fuller description of work performed, refer to County of Los Angeles Class Specifications for Public Information Associate.

***Professional experience is defined as work experience that exercises specific knowledge, skills, and responsibility gained as a journalist through their work-related activities. 

EXAM CONTENT:
Before the end of your emergency assignment, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

APPLICATION & FILING INFORMATION:
Applications must be submitted online only and will be reviewed for interview consideration on an ongoing basis. If you have not been contacted within 60 days and the recruitment is still open or reopens for filing, we encourage you to submit a new application. This will allow you to reaffirm your interest and update any relevant information. 

All notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add NMondragon@dpw.lacounty.gov, PWexams@dpw.lacounty.gov, noreply@governmentjobs.com, and info@governmentjobs.com, as well as the domains dpw.lacounty.gov and hr.lacounty.gov, to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.  

You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices. 

Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address. 

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER: Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so please include yours when applying.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: Candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

NO SHARING OF USER ID, E-MAIL, AND PASSWORD: All applicants must file their application using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend’s user ID and password may erase a candidate’s original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI): The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. We are committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION. 

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Dept Contact Name: Neal Mondragon
Dept Contact Phone: (626) 458-2141
Dept Contact Email: NMondragon@dpw.lacounty.gov
Teletype Number: (626) 282-7829

Salary : $86,869 - $117,064