This is supervisory promotional and public information work directing the activities of the City's central public relations and information office. The employee in this class plans, directs and coordinates the work of a staff of public information and promotional personnel engaged in preparing municipal informational and ceremonial materials and participating in the promotion of cultural and governmental activities. Work includes directing the activities of photographic and graphic arts personnel engaged in producing photographs, graphics materials, and other visual promotional materials, ensuring that the Mayor's public relations and public information needs are met, and advising departmental officials on public relations matters. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative superior.

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

1. This is a one position class located in the Office of the City Representative.

2. The position in this class must supervise a staff of informational, photographic and graphic arts personnel.

3. The position in this class must serve as liaison to the Mayor's Office on matters related to public relations and public information.

• Plans, assigns, and coordinates the work of a staff of public information and promotional employees engaged in preparing a variety of promotional, publicity and informational materials for the Mayor's Office and other City departments and agencies; reviews, approves, and edits for policy, content and style a variety of materials such as news releases, event rundowns, speeches, fact sheets, and brochures; determines and directs the distribution of news releases to the appropriate media.
• Confers with departmental officials on the development and revision of communications policies; makes recommendations for implementing new communications policies.
• Prepares annual budget proposals for public relations and information office; prepares reports on unit activities and accomplishments.
• Directs the activities of photographers and graphic arts personnel engaged in taking photographs at news conferences and special events, producing slide presentations, designing layouts for a variety of flyers and brochures and preparing charts, graphs and posters.
• Ensures that the Mayor's public information and public relations needs are met on a timely basis; contacts media representatives and coordinates, with the Mayor's Office, the arrangement of press conferences, press briefings, and public appearances; coordinates the Mayor's weekly proclamation ceremony which entails writing proclamations, establishing the order of presentation, arranging for the presence of appropriate individuals, and ensuring that photographs are taken and distributed.
• Determines promotional and public relations needs of municipal departments; formulates strategies and plans promotional activities for special events and programs; solicits media input, plans news conferences, and arranges for air time on local television and radio stations; arranges for the preparation of sites for special events and news conferences; may attend events to ensure that all required arrangements have been made.
• Prepares news releases, event rundowns, correspondence, fact sheets, and copy for brochures, flyers and public service announcements; conducts research required to prepare informational materials.
• Provides public relations counsel to City departments as required; serves as liaison to departmental public relations personnel and news media; serves as the City's public relations official in emergency situations.
• Perform related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• English usage, grammar, rhetoric, punctuation and spelling.
• modern journalistic principles and practices.
• the methods and techniques of disseminating information to the public and of the facilities and print and electronic media available for such activities.
• practices and techniques of writing promotional and informational materials.
• public relations principles and practices used in the preparation and dissemination of informational materials in all types of media.
• speech writing techniques, including compiling data, conducting research, and assembling final drafts.
• public speaking techniques.
• editorial principles and practices as they pertain to the preparation of informational materials.

ABILITY TO:

• supervise a staff of public information and promotional personnel, photographers and graphic artists engaged in preparing informational and promotional materials.
• edit materials prepared by subordinate staff.
• plan promotional programs for municipal functions and special events.
• provide public relations counsel to municipal departments and agencies.
• prepare interesting and informative news releases, articles, speeches, bulletins, reports and other informational materials.
• evaluate various subject matter materials critically from the standpoint of listener, viewer or reader interest, organization of material, context and style.
• analyze and make sound judgments concerning the release of informational materials.
• speak and write effectively.
• promote public interest and community participation in municipal programs.
• direct the production and dissemination of informational materials.
• arrange press conferences and radio and television interviews for City officials.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, the public, local civic and business officials, and representatives of radio and television media and the press.

EDUCATION

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

• Two years of experience in print or electronic media news writing, the preparation of informational material for popular release or as informational representative of a governmental or private agency.

• Three years of experience at or above the full performance level in news writing, the preparation of informational material for popular release or as informational representative of a governmental or private agency.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

PAY RANGE: EP23
Class Established:
  CSC - 10/1991 ; Ad Board - 12/1991

RPJ/rpj/sb