Regular Schedule: 34 hours per week, plus County benefits.
A Non-Merit vacancy exists in the Department of Recreation and Parks.
Non-Merit positions are not classified within the Baltimore County Government Classification and Compensation Plan.
Definition of Responsibility 
This position is responsible for initiating, planning, developing, maintaining, evaluating, implementing, and coordinating department-wide public information programs, services, programs, projects and activities, disseminating information to the public through various information channels. 
A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.
All interested candidates must apply at this time.
List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.
NOTE: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered.
You mustattach your transcript(s), degree(s), license(s) and/or certification(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable. 
Failure to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications and/or education must be submitted with each application.Job Purpose

Under general supervision of the Director of Recreation and Parks or her designee, the Public Information Officer, assists and manages the Department’s media relations including but not limited to: collaborating with other County departments in developing and implementing public relations, presentations, and standardization of agency-wide information programs. 

Essential Job Duties

• Serves as the public information officer for the department by managing all media relations. 

• Creates, manages, social media protocols for the department; continuously update the agency’s social media pages. 

• Creates edits and manages all social media content including videos, vlogs using current content resources photography using current technology. 

• Coordinates videography and photography.

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

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

• Manages all agency related inquiries.

• Updates department leadership on related news and public relations opportunities.

• Prepares and edits educational and promotional materials including website content, pamphlets and scripts.

• Uses current technology including desktop publishing, word processing and content management systems. 

• Ensures web content is updated as necessary.

• Identifies and builds relationships with key journalists both locally and nationally. 

• Develops media relations strategies proactively and responsively. 

• Researches, prepares, and writes news releases, official statements, scripts and additional materials to support Department of Recreation and Parks programs, initiatives and services.

• Responds to media inquiries.

• Interacts with journalists and coordinates key agency staff interviews with media, in close coordination with the Baltimore County Executive Office communications team.

• Plans and manages agency press conferences to share breaking news and new initiatives in coordination with the Baltimore County Executive Office communications team.

• Creates newsworthy content by sharing new initiatives in the Department and in the County.

• Develops and creates visually engaging and original content. 

• Stays abreast of trends and utilize when appropriate.

• Develops and implement advertising and marketing strategies and public education campaigns focusing on the National Recreation and Parks Association’s three pillars of health and wellness, equity and conservation.

• Shares partnership ideas with Agency leadership and pursue when possible.

• Writes and designs informational materials including, but not limited to, news releases, newsletters, website content and brochures.

• Maintains and updates information and initiatives in the Department’s section of County website.

• Prepares and makes presentations to community groups as needed. 

• Looks for new opportunities to engage and share information with the public.

• Responds to resident inquiries by phone, e-mail and social media in a timely manner.

• Coordinates and participates in fairs, festivals, and other public events. 

• Designs and prepares educational exhibits.

• Recruits, trains, and supervises interns when necessary.

• Provides input on Department’s national CAPRA (Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies) accreditation standards.

• Utilizes the National Recreation and Parks Association’s Equity Language Guide in written materials as appropriate.

• Manages additional projects and perform other related duties as required.

• Sets annual performance measures for growth of the Department’s social media platforms.

Examples of Other Duties:
Performs other related duties as required.
 
NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of required qualifications for similar positions. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed.Required Education and Experience

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Mass Communications, or a closely related field;
Plus 
At least four to six years of experience in journalism, creative writing, public relations, or closely related work.

Additional experience in the areas listed above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years for the required education.

Education in one of the fields listed above beyond a bachelor's degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Preferred Education
Master’s Degree preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of advanced principles of public relations and communications.

• Knowledge of media relations principles and methods.

• Knowledge of the public information and public relations needs of a government agency, preferably in a Recreation and Parks field. 

• Knowledge of effective methods of obtaining adequate publicity for programs and activities.

• Knowledge of marketing principles, techniques, and advertising.

• Knowledge of principles of budgeting, project management, and organization.

• Knowledge of principles of organization and administration.

• Knowledge of methodology and techniques for basic research, surveys, analysis, and evaluation.

• Knowledge of principles of graphic design, photography, video, web, social media, multimedia, and presentation production. 

• Knowledge of effective methods of obtaining adequate publicity for programs and activities. 

• Skill in planning, developing, organizing, and coordinating public information and public relations programs.

• Skills in public speaking.

• Skill in researching and organizing data. 

• Skill in writing original copy and assembling, editing, and rewriting other copy. 

• Skill in preparing copy for publication.

• Skill in writing speeches, scripts, and news releases.

• Ability to formulate and accomplish strategic communication goals.

• Ability to present sensitive and/or complex issues, both orally and in writing, to large diverse groups in a persuasive fashion.

• Ability to use personal computers and related applications, and to learn new applications as required by changing technology and procedures.

• Ability to interact with elected and appointed officials, business leaders, regulatory agencies, community groups, employees, and the public.

• Ability to write and edit effectively for a variety of purposes, formats, and audiences.

• Ability to perform a wide scope of complex research, studies, and analytical work.

• Ability to read and interpret laws, ordinances, and regulations affecting the operations, programs, and services.

• Ability to initiate, develop and maintain productive working relationships with a wide variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and vendors.

• Ability to provide a variety of advice and consultation for County management and elected officials.

• Ability to effectively represent the Director in responding to inquiries, assisting, and dealing with public, community organizations, boards, commissions, Council and other government agencies.

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Ability to plan and manage special events and promotions.

• Ability to effectively organize and carry out multiple tasks simultaneously.

• Ability to meet deadlines.

• Ability to utilize all available media in order to meet the needs of a department.

Proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education
Applicants are required to submit proof of licenses, certifications and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant’s major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.Failure to submit proof of Licenses, Certifications and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of licenses, certifications, and/or education must be submitted with each application.Proof of Degree Equivalency
Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org)Mail or deliver documents to:ATTN: Public Information Officer - Rec and Parks - Non-MeritOffice of Human ResourcesBaltimore County Government308 Allegheny Ave.Towson, MD 21204Youmustattach your transcript(s), degree(s), license(s) and/or certification(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable. 
EXAMINATION PROCEDURE
Qualified applicants will be assigned a rating based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as submitted on their application and supplemental questions. Applicants are advised to state the dates, duties and responsibilities of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.Employees hired after July 1, 2022 are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System, with very limited exceptions.
Physical and Environmental Conditions

The work of this classification is essentially sedentary with some walking, standing, or other limited physical activity. 

Some duties entail the operation of office and other equipment requiring manipulative and coordinative skills. 

Some duties may require traveling between work sites.Employment Background Investigation
Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete an employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education, and fingerprinting checks.