Extra Help Media Specialist

About the role

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies for those County departments that have this position, which are the Sheriff's Department, Probation Department, and District Attorney. The current vacancy is with the Tulare County Probation Department located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months.

As extra help positions become available, County departments with the job openings select the most qualified and appropriate applicant for the position available. The number of hours and duration of employment varies by each assignment. Extra help employees may work in a variety of County departments in locations throughout the geographic county area. Extra help employees may not work more than 1,559 hours in any fiscal year from July to June. An extra help employee who mistakenly works in excess of 1,559 hours in a fiscal year does not become a probationary or regular employee.

Responsibilities

• May serve as Department or Agency spokesperson in media requests for information when required.
• Assist in the planning, development, coordination and implementation of media strategies to disseminate department or agency information.
• Assist in coordinating public relations activities.
• Assist with the development of materials to be presented in press announcements including preparing press releases and feature articles.
• Help to develop and coordinate the illustration and printing of publications.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field.

Experience: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in journalism, mass media communication or public relations.

Knowledge

• Various journalistic styles.
• Current principles, techniques and objectives of public information and public relations programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to employ a variety of writing techniques that inform the public on complex issues.
• Current office practices and procedures including business correspondence, filing, and standard office equipment operations.

Skills & Abilities

• Work in a multi-task environment.
• Represent the department or agency to the media in a professional manner.
• Interpret rules and regulations.
• Establish goals and objectives.

License

Possession of, or ability to obtain an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

Desirable Qualifications

• Copy writing, journalism or desktop publishing experience.