What are the responsibilities and job description for the Department Public Information Officer I position at County of Riverside?
The County of Riverside's Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) is seeking to fill a qualified Department Public Information Officer I position for their Public and Government Relations Unit in Riverside.
The Department Public Information Officer I reports to the Assistant Treasurer Tax Collector and manages the department’s public information, communications, and public affairs program. The position develops and implements media, outreach, and communication strategies to enhance public understanding of departmental operations and services. Serving as the primary media contact, the officer prepares news releases, newsletters, and public service announcements, oversees community outreach and education programs, and promotes transparency through effective engagement with the public and stakeholders. In collaboration with the Information Technology Department, the officer manages digital communications, including the department’s website, social media, and online tools, ensuring information is accurate, accessible, and secure. The incumbent will provide recommendations on IT-driven innovations, such as kiosks, field payment devices, and system enhancements, to improve public access to tax-related information. Additional duties include implementing countywide financial literacy and cybersecurity programs, supervising staff, overseeing the unit’s budget, and ensuring quality and consistency across all printed and digital materials. The officer may represent the Treasurer Tax Collector at public events and interagency meetings and performs related duties as assigned. this position will required the Department Public Information Officer I to travel to various offsite locations as needed.Competitive candidates will possess work experience with a county department or government agency, organizational social media experience, proficient in using PowerPoint, and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. Spanish bilingual is desired.
This class has been designated At-Will by the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with the provisions provided under Article 6, Section 601E (8) of the County Management Resolution and serves at the pleasure of the Agency/Department Head.
This class has been deemed eligible for the Performance Recognition Plan as set forth under Article 3, Section 311 of the County Management Resolution. Program eligibility requires employees to be in a leadership position, manage other employees or programs, and have significant influence on the achievement of organizational objectives.
Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector is responsible for the billing and collection of property taxes, and, for the receiving, processing, investing and most importantly, safeguarding of public funds, as mandated by the laws of the state of California.
• Manage the department's public information program, which serves as the primary point of contact for media requests for information.
• Plan, direct and oversee the activities of the public relations staff engaged in the production, development, publication, and broadcast of information of department policies, services and activities to the public and the community.
• Oversee, design and coordinate the preparation of effective and timely news releases, newsletters and other informational and promotional material concerning departmental activities related to interaction with the media.
• Oversee the development and maintenance of the department's internet presence to effectively communicate services, image and identity.
• Serve as the liaison between departmental executive management and the Board of Supervisors, various public and private agencies, community organizations and customers, the Executive Office, and various County departments for the investigation and response to public relations and media related issues, inquiries and complaints of a sensitive or controversial nature having potential for media coverage and community concern.
• Serve as part of the department's executive management team to set strategic direction for public affairs and relations initiatives; formulate, develop and implement public relations, media communications and community outreach strategies, initiatives, objectives, and policies; maintain a proactive relationship with the Board of Supervisors, public and private entities, and communications media; provide a positive department image through the internet to enhance the department's service image.
• Conduct administrative studies of the effectiveness of departmental public affairs and relations initiatives and recommend new and revised policies, procedures and systems designed to improve effectiveness of services and reduce administrative costs in the areas of community coordination, customer relations and marketing strategies.
• Facilitate and ensure the timely, coordinated response on all assignments initiated by the Department Head, including outside requests for information, requests from the Board of Supervisors, communications media, other County departments, and administrative communication with other government agencies.
• Develop and maintain liaisons with representatives from other governmental jurisdictions, community entities, stakeholders, and public agencies to promote positive communications and public image.
• Direct the preparation of written responses to inquiries, complaints and suggestions relative to sensitive or controversial departmental programs incorporating the official management position and factual information obtained from knowledgeable administrative and technical personnel.
• Formulate policies and procedures related to the department's public information programs; plan and administer communication activities by developing and maintaining a proactive communications program with the public, communications media and through the internet to enhance the department's service image.
• Schedule press conferences, news releases and public service announcements.
• Direct the development and implementation of the most effective and appropriate methods for communicating information to the public and stakeholders, by the use of videos, e-mail, the internet, brochures, news releases, presentations, graphic displays, photos, fact sheets, directories, or other mediums.
• Write speeches and make presentations to the media, community groups and other agency representatives on information regarding Departmental issues, programs and activities.
• Consult with executive management, division managers, County departments, and public and community entities regarding immediate and long-range publicity and public information plans and public service programs; advise executive management in the formulation of immediate and long-range policies and programs.
• Analyze the extent of public understanding of the public education and community outreach programs administered by the department, and determine the need for further public information, community outreach and educational activities.
• Direct and oversee activities of outside consultants in the development and production of community liaison work and special media projects.
• Negotiate partnerships and contractual agreements with private/public entities to implement community and outreach projects.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, English, public relations, public/business administration, or a closely related field. (Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education on the basis of one year of full-time experience equaling 30 semester or 45 quarter units of education.)
Experience: Four years of professional experience in journalism, media or public relations composing news articles and providing information to the public as an organization’s spokesperson.
Knowledge of: Methods of planning, coordinating and implementing an effective public information program; methods and techniques used in planning press conferences; techniques in developing and producing audio-visual presentations; styles and techniques in speech writing.
Ability to: Complete assignments within strict time constraints; evaluate and apply government regulations to program planning; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, public and representatives from outside agencies; coordinate public information and education programs with other jurisdictions; coordinate the activities of audio-visual specialists, graphic artists or other specialists in preparing public information medium; recognize problems and develop effective solutions; act independently in converting complex technical information into a meaningful and applicable format for the targeted audience.
Other Requirements
License/Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License is required.
What’s Next?
Open to All Applicants
This recruitment is open to all applicants.
For questions regarding this recruitment
Contact Danilo Lozano at DaLozano@rivco.org with any questions regarding this recruitment.
Salary : $90,837 - $134,363
