Public Information Officer
Oklahoma City County Health Department
Oklahoma City, OK
Full-time
Education
Posted on January 2, 2022
Public Information Officer Starting at: $78,696.00 Annual Position Type: Full-Time/Exempt Shift: M-F 8 to 4:30 SUMMARY: This position is an evolving and emerging position located in the Leadership Division within the Oklahoma City-County Health Department (OCCHD) and works under the supervision of the Chief Operating Officer. Duties will include coordinating the Communications staff and promotion of the agency and partnerships. The position also requires oversight of agency events and coalition activities according to OCCHD strategic priorities. The position is responsible for planning, coordination and implementation of internal and external agency related events. Also responsible for all internal and external communications, as well as the positive image and perception of OCCHD, the Chief Executive Office and the Senior Executive Team. PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a summary of the duties and responsibilities commonly found within this classification. All employees must maintain a commitment to the OCCHD's mission, vision and strategic goals. This summary is not meant to be all-inclusive, thus, other related activities or tasks may be assigned. This position functions at the leadership level (Tier 3) as defined by the Council on Linkages Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals in the Director's Program with integration of all Core Competency Domains. An emphasis on the following domains is important in this role: * Communication Skills * Cultural Competency Skills * Community Dimensions of Practice Skills * Public Health Science Skills * Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills * Policy Development/Program Planning Skills ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: * Administers and monitors work assignments, providing instruction to and coordinating the activities of project staff. * Supervises employees by direct observation and review of job product. * Monitors employee attendance. * Completes performance evaluations of staff. * Understands and follows direction from supervisor and OCCHD procedures. * Making presentations including television and radio, press releases, social media and scheduling media interviews with subject matter experts. * Coordinates media attendance at agency events. * Drafts and disseminates approved news releases and informational materials. * Composes articles and column on behalf of executive management for publication. * Coordinates with Chief of Public Health Protection, Security, Maintenance, Information Technology, and Executive Leadership to ensure that OCCHD events and facilities are coordinated effectively including scheduling, staffing and use of OCCHD facilities, personnel and volunteers. * Coordinates development of and management of OCCHD social media strategy, marketing plans and online content. * Works with staff to discuss topics such as budgets, contract, coalition and media plans and the selection of advertising media. * Plan promotional and advertising campaigns utilizing various media outlets while maintaining OCCHD branding image. * Assess needs and functions of the Communications team and takes appropriate action. * Provide support to the Chief Executive Officer's Office to carry out high priority projects as appropriate * Able to articulate the broad vision of Public Health, OCCHD, and Wellness Now to the public. * Negotiate advertising contracts. * Initiate market research studies and analyze the best use of media to reach target audience. * Provides guidance to photography and video efforts at community and agency events. * Fields questions and inquiries from media and outside agencies utilizing subject matter experts. * Utilizes social media to enhance communication efforts. * Oversees written communication of others within OCCHD. * Organizes and monitors information provided by or sought by news media or other organizations. * Provides media training for OCCHD employees. * Provides direction to OCCHD for placement of subject matter experts with media requests in a timely manner. * Operates a personal computer generating and presenting reports. * Drives to off-site locations to perform job duties as needed. * Completes required training in support of the duties and responsibilities of this position. * In addition, at the direction of the Chief Executive Officer or designee, the incumbent will be assigned a variety of specific job duties and responsibilities as a member of the OCCHD Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Team (i.e., Public Health Preparedness and Response Program). Also, as a member of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Team, the incumbent is required to complete all necessary emergency responder training and may be designated as a member of the first-responder team. * In accordance with our designation of a PHAB Accredited health department and explicit commitment to a culture of continuous quality improvement, employees will receive Quality Improvement (QI) training deemed necessary by their supervisor. QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: -Master's degree in Communication, Journalism, Marketing or related field, plus four year of related experience OR -Bachelor's degree plus five years of related experience -One year of supervisory experience required -Experience in public health preferred -Valid Oklahoma driver license required SKILLS AND ABILITIES: -Skill in communicating verbally and in writing -Skill in communicating with various socioeconomic groups using tact and diplomacy -Skill in media relations -Skill and experience in event coordination -Skill and experience in coalition building and messaging -Skill in developing and presenting training programs -Skill in utilizing appropriate equipment and software -Ability and willingness to develop and maintain effective working relationships -Ability and willingness to follow safe working practices and procedures -Ability and willingness to assume responsibility for work product -Ability and willingness to follow established policies and procedures -Ability to analyze market trends -Ability and willingness to maintain confidentiality WORKING CONDITIONS: -Primarily indoors in climate-controlled building -No smoking or use of non-smoking tobacco products is allowed at anytime while conducting agency business or in agency vehicles -No use of cell phones or the use of electronic wireless communications devices used to write, send or read a text-based communication while driving a motor vehicle on agency business -May be subject to occasional standing for extended periods -Subject to driving to off-site locations in varying weather to perform job duties -Periodically exposed to glare from computer monitor -OSHA category: Performs tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: -Arm/hand steadiness and digital dexterity enough to use equipment such as computer keyboard, remote controls, cameras and switches, etc. -Visual acuity enough to distinguish between colors -Vision enough to read and draft written communications such as computer printouts, instructions, hand- or machine-generated documents, etc., as well as print and/or graphics on computer monitor -Speech and hearing enough to communicate with others, both via telephone and face-to-face -Ability to make oneself understood in a public place with or without a microphone -Flexibility and coordination enough to operate a motor vehicle as needed -Flexibility and coordination enough to bend, stoop, stand, crouch and walk to perform tasks such as setting up equipment and making presentations -Strength enough to lift and move equipment weighing up to 35 pounds WORKING RELATIONSHIPS: This position requires frequent contact with other employees to give and receive information and/or to provide technical assistance. The employee may be required to occasionally deal with hostile persons. SUPERVISION GIVEN AND RECEIVED/ACCOUNTABILITY: This employee is under the supervision of the Chief Operating Officer. Work product is subject to both specific and general review. The employee will have direct supervisory responsibilities. This position has direct accountability for any money or materials. The employee may make recommendations which result in the expenditure of significant funds. OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: -May be required to take the smallpox vaccination, and other vaccinations or inoculations, as a member of the first-responder team. -May be required to work occasional evening and weekends due to job responsibilities. -Must have an operating vehicle available for use when field duties are required Employees who fall into the following categories are in conditional employment positions: a) Executive Management; b) Deputy/Assistant Directors; c) certain other OCCHD employees individually designated by position number whose salaries, benefits, and/or overhead are based on revenue generating contracts, grants, or fee-for-service revenue. In other words, this means that if the funding or the program is terminated, cancelled, or non-renewed, your employment terminates automatically. This position is conditional. Interested candidates should apply online at www.occhd.org. Select Careers at the top of the web page, select Current Jobs, select the position you are applying for, and select "apply". You will be directed to our Career Center. Get started by uploading your resume with your profile. Otherwise, click "skip" to continue. The first step is to register with the Career Center, again you will click on apply for an active position. You may search for open positions by name or select "show all positions." You may select "view" to read the details regarding the position. Again, you will click on "apply now". You will be directed to the second step of the application process. Please complete the entire application. Do not substitute a resume for your employment history. You may attach a cover letter, resume, an official transcript, if applicable. You will save an complete your application. You will be directed to the final step of answering job specific questions, if applicable. Once you have finished the process, you should receive a message stating, "Successfully applied". You will also receive an email stating your application has been received for the position you selected. If you do not receive this message, then there has been a step not completed. You will need to review your record. The position will be open for 30 days or until filled. Please be advised that applications will periodically be considered, as such this position could be filled any time before the closing date. AA/EOE