Public Information Officer

JOB
**SALARY MAY BE NEGOTIABLE DEPENDING ON EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND REQUISITE EXPERIENCE**GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Assisting the news media with regard to cases and/or incidents over which the Sheriff’s Office has primary jurisdiction. Within the limits of the Florida Public Records Laws (Chapter 119, F.S.S.) the Public Information Officer will provide the media with information and reports that will neither hinder nor adversely affect an ongoing criminal investigation, or reveal the identity of statutorily protected agency members, their families, crime victims, or juveniles. Disseminates accurate and timely information to Santa Rosa County residents, the media and employees.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Essential functions are fundamental job duties. They do not include marginal tasks which are also performed but are incidental to the primary functions. 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 the position, nor does every position allocated to the class necessarily perform every duty listed. Personal characteristics required of all employees such as honesty, industry, sobriety and the ability to get along with others, are presumed qualities and may not be listed specifically. Conveys board policies, regulations and responsibilities to members of the media to help promote accurate reporting about the organization.Serves as the point-of-contact for media inquiries; monitors media coverage; maintains professional relationships with the media; coordinates interviews with appropriate county staff or Sheriff; may serve as a spokesperson for the agency to print, online, radio and television medial, responding to media requests for information and interviews.Consults with staff, conceptualizes and designs communication products and graphics to support agency mission, programs and services including videos, photos, illustrations, brochures, newsletters, displays, charts, diagrams, surveys, digital media, news releases, PowerPoint presentations, web, tablet and smartphone-ready artwork and other publication projects.Prepares detailed print specifications and costs and processes completed artwork and layouts to develop print, web or other electronic media-ready specifications.Manages the agency’s social media accounts and website content.Assists in the planning and coordination of public outreach activities.Acts in a liaison capacity with community leaders, tour groups and other governmental agencies and communication groups requesting information on government related activities.Acts as a liaison with the media in preparing press releases, planning public events and performing interviews.Interacts with the public in an effective and courteous manner.Must demonstrate commitment to our mission, vision, values and goals and represent the agency in a professional, dignified manner at all times both in actions and appearance.Manages responsibilities for community outreach activities beyond regular agency business hours including extended workdays, evenings, weekends, holidays and on-call; must be able to meet minimum attendance standards.Required to respond to call-outs to various active scenes and/or events as needed twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.Performs related duties as required.ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS: The physical requirements are that of sedentary work and include exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Walking and standing are required occasionally. Requires repetitive motion of the wrists, hands and/or fingers. Required to operate a motor vehicle to perform essential job functions. Requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures. Transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes. Requires the expression or exchange of ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly. Requires perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discriminations in sound.ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: The work environment involves moderate risks or discomforts that require special safety precautions and/or is exposed to one or more disagreeable conditions such as irate customers, outdoor weather conditions, excessive noise, extreme temperatures, odor, dust, etc. at least 25% but less than 50% of the work time.REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of state, federal and county laws; familiar with county, state and federal agencies; principles, practices and methods of social media; practices and principles of public information, crisis communications, public relations and marketing; website design, management and/or content development; basic copyright laws applicable to design work and creative properties; design and electronic pre-press processes and experience with typography, color, conceptual thinking, print layout, digital production and post-production; emergency public information policies, methodologies and procedures.Required to operate a personal computer and word processing, spreadsheet and/or database programs; video production equipment. Requires digital photography, video and photo; video editing; proper English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and sentence structure; press release writing and AP style; creative and business proofreading, editing, writing and research; verbal communication. Required to adhere to deadlines while working on multiple, diverse projects; translate communication needs into products that are thoughtful, highly organized, logical and easy to digest; present information to County officials, staff and public groups; remain calm and function well under stressful situations; establish and maintain effective working relationship with the media, officials, employees and the public.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
LICENSE: Applicant must have a valid Florida Driver's License at the date of hire and maintain said license while employed in this position. CERTIFICATION: Must complete FEMA/NIMS 100, 200, 300, 700, 800 and Basic PIO within one (1) year of employment.