2J08

PAY RANGE: N21

DEPARTMENTAL PUBLIC RELATIONS SUPERVISOR

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is administrative and supervisory public relations work developing, implementing and coordinating the informational and communications policies and programs for a municipal agency. Employees in this class supervise a staff of public relations personnel gathering, preparing and disseminating promotional and publicity materials and plan the timing, distribution and release of the department's messages to the media and the public. Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City officials, departmental managers, representatives of the mass communications media, community groups and organizations, and the general public are important to the work. Work is performed under the direction of the department's Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

1. Positions in this class must supervise full performance level public relations specialists and have overall responsibility for a departmental public relations program.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

Plans, develops and implements the public information, education and public relations program for a City agency; plans radio and television programs, announcements, films and publications designed to inform and educate the public about the department's objectives; contacts and maintains liaison with representatives of the mass communication media in order to promote programs, disseminate information and provide necessary background and factual material.

Works with departmental officials to study departmental plans, programs and activities to determine public information, education, public relations and communications needs; plans radio and television programs, announcements, films and publications designed to inform the public of the department's programs and activities; works with departmental staff, representatives of the City, mass media, and community groups to enlist their aid and cooperation in the preparation and release of informational and promotional material; confers with and advises departmental officials in the preparation and issuance of official policy statements; arranges and directs press conferences and mass media interviews of departmental officials.

Supervises public relations staff preparing promotional and public relations materials; assigns projects to staff; reviews work of subordinates for relevance, accuracy and conformance to departmental objectives.

Formulates and directs programs aimed at developing and maintaining channels of communication with community groups and the public; determines informational needs and appropriate media for meeting these needs; times the release of the message for most effective impact; arranges for the appropriate departmental personnel and officials to speak with community groups; serves as communications liaison between the department and these groups; may represent the department at community events, meetings, press conferences, and ceremonial events.

Writes news releases for dissemination to the mass media; interviews departmental personnel to obtain information concerning departmental functions, programs activities and events; organizes material for publication; compiles and edits departmental reports; writes speeches.

Assists in planning and implementation of departmental staff and board's orientation to their role/responsibility as public relations agents of the department.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

· Current principles, practices and developments in public relations and in the news media

· English usage, grammar, rhetoric, punctuation and spelling

· modern journalistic principles and practices

· methods and techniques of disseminating information to the public such as print, electronic and social media

· public relations principles and practices used in the preparation and dissemination of informational and promotional material to all types of media

· speech writing techniques including data compilation, research and preparation of final drafts

· editorial principles and practices as they pertain to the preparation of informational publications and materials

· public speaking techniques

· current and expanding social media practices

· common software including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and internet software and web-based programs for communications

· federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to the operations of the department if required by assignment

ABILITY TO:

· supervise the work of promotional and public relations staff

· formulate strategies to publicize departmental activities, programs and special events

· plan, organize, and direct informational and promotional programs designed to improve customer and community relations and encourage community participation in departmental activities

· learn the uses and capabilities of personal computers

· prepare interesting and informative news releases, articles, blogs, speeches, bulletins, scripts, reports, and other informational materials

· coordinate the production and dissemination of informational materials

· evaluate various informational materials critically from the standpoint of reader interest, and organization of material, context and style

· represent the department at municipal functions

· speak and write effectively

· prepare comprehensive written reports

· establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, associates, the public, community groups and organizations, and representatives of the radio and television media and the press

· arrange press conferences and radio and television interviews and social media presence for departmental officials or staff

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 6/24.)

EDUCATION:

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in journalism, communications, marketing, media studies, public relations or a related area.

NOTE: Completion of a industry related certification or additional experience may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis.

AND

GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two years of experience in communications, creative marketing, digital media, or public relations that has included planning and facilitating special events for a.

AND

SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:

Two years of experience at the full performance level in communications, creative marketing, digital media, or public relations that has included planning and facilitating special events for a governmental or non-profit agency.

OR

Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the specific experience.

City of Philadelphia Classes that Typically Meet the Minimum Specific Experience Requirement:

Public Relations Specialist 2 (2J03)

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Class Established 8/88

Spec. Revision:

CSC ‑ 1/92

Ad. Board ‑ 2/92

Spec. Revision:

CSC ‑ 12/17

Ad. Board ‑ 2/18

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 5/24

Ad. Board – 6/24