Communications and Public Information Officer

About the role

This classification is scheduled to receive a 5% COLA effective July 2027. The position serves as the Communications and Public Information Officer (PIO) for Butte County, responsible for developing and implementing countywide strategic communications. Under executive administrative direction, the incumbent leads and oversees the County’s public information and strategic communications function; works with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and County executive leadership to develop countywide communication policies and guidelines; develops, organizes, and implements a comprehensive countywide communications and community relations program that supports organizational priorities and strengthens community engagement; advises and assists appointed and elected department heads, members of the Board of Supervisors, and County executive leadership on public information and community relations activities; informs and engages the public regarding activities and services of County departments by developing and disseminating information through various communications channels; represents the County in high-profile communications with the media, stakeholders, and the public; researches issues, makes recommendations, and produces reports and informational materials on a variety of topics; and develops content for websites and social media platforms. The position is FLSA exempt, receives direction from the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer or designee, and exercises no direct supervision over staff. This single-position classification is responsible for providing strategic leadership over the County’s public information and communication function, requiring sensitivity to community impact, independent and creative work, and broad authority for planning, organizing, reviewing, and managing a countywide strategy for public information, media relations, internal and external communications, and community relations programs.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of the highly visible countywide communications and public information program to support organizational priorities and engage internal and external audiences.
• Serves as the County’s advisor on media relations, public messaging and communication strategy, and coaches County leaders and departments on media protocols and response practices.
• Prepares and directs the creation and dissemination of written, digital, and multimedia materials including newsletters, reports, press releases, speeches, presentations, and major publications.
• Provides creative direction for visual communications, including design, layout, and content.
• Acts as the County’s primary spokesperson and represents the organization with the media, community groups, partner agencies, and the public to seek support for public programs, suggest new editorial ideas, encourage coverage of County issues, direct reporters to stories and cultivate future stories.
• Acts as the County’s lead public information officer during emergencies and disasters, including wildfires; coordinates with emergency management personnel to ensure accurate and timely public messaging.
• Provides technical guidance and consultation to management and staff on cross-departmental and departmental communications, projects, and programs; provides training on media-related processes and procedures.
• Advises Board of Supervisors members, Chief Administrative Officer, department heads, management, and staff on media relations; provides guidance on preparing, presenting, and distributing informational materials and communications; and prepares materials and scripts for use.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the news media, community groups, elected officials, and other governmental agencies and/or stakeholders to meet communication and outreach needs; provides information on County services, events, and newsworthy incidents.
• Manages public outreach efforts; plans, arranges, and coordinates briefings, workshops, and information sessions.
• Oversees and implements the County’s social media program and policies; maintains countywide social media platforms and presence; creates digital content by applying graphic design principles and using video editing applications.
• Serves as public information officer in emergency operations center during disasters and emergencies.
• Researches, compiles, and summarizes data from various sources; writes and edits presentations, speeches, scripts, news releases, public relations articles, factsheets, brochures, bulletins, graphic materials, reports, and educational materials.
• Organizes and maintains accurate and detailed databases, electronic and physical files, and records; verifies accuracy of information, researches discrepancies, and records information; ensures compliance with established records retention schedules including archiving, scanning, and destructing files.
• Receives, processes, and responds to public records requests, complaints, and other requests for information; researches and organizes information; coordinates resolution to problems and issues.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of public information and community relations.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and ordinances, and County policies and procedures relevant to public information and community relations programs.
• Principles, practices, and procedures related to public agency public information function.
• Practices of researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing effective reports and related materials.
• Methods and techniques of preparing reports and general business correspondence.
• Crisis and emergency communications techniques.
• Methods and techniques used in evaluating public attitude regarding countywide operations and issues and the determination of public affairs needs.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of strategic communication, public information, media relations, graphic design, and community relations programs.
• Principles, techniques, and practices of journalism including expository writing and editing.
• Methods to prepare, design, layout, produce, and disseminate educational, informational, and promotional materials.
• Best practices for social media and digital content.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Skills

Ability to:

• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Effectively represent the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Organize and maintain accurate recordkeeping systems.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Plan, develop, and implement public information, media relations, and community relations programs.
• Assist in developing and implementing countywide policies, guidelines, and procedures for communications and dissemination of public information.
• Assess political environment and develop appropriate communication strategies.
• Write and edit presentations, speeches, scripts, news releases, public relations articles, factsheets, brochures, bulletins, graphic materials, and educational materials.
• Oversee and implement the County’s social media program and policies.
• Provide creative direction for visual communications including design, layout, and content.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.