Position Information

Posting Title Public Information Specialist Senior

Job Requisition Number AE503090

Position Number 109270

Job Type Full-Time

Division Name Customer Care

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity.

• Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None.

  Notes to Applicants

The Public Information Specialist Sr. will manage various marketing, advertising and social media projects and campaigns at Austin 3-1-1, including the purchasing and procurement process for community outreach events and attending community outreach events; be responsible for responding to open records requests, escalations, and media requests; be responsible for working collaboratively in a team environment; have interactions with both internal and external stakeholders to include creating and delivering communications, coordinating cross-functional initiatives and implementing agreed upon outcomes; and support all social media program functions that support Austin 3-1-1. The ideal candidate will have: experience working independently in a fast-paced environment; the ability to manage multiple, high-profile projects simultaneously; the ability to approach a challenge with an open mind, identify possible solutions, provide professional recommendations and execute tasks; the ability to use discretion in handling details of a highly confidential and sensitive nature; the ability to be collaborative, assertive and model a professional demeanor and integrity; and have excellent business writing, proofreading, and communication skills.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE (https://www.austincityjobs.org/hr/postings/%E2%80%9Chttp://www.austintexas.gov/department/active-employee-benefits%E2%80%9D) for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.

• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.

• Resumes will not be accepted and statements such as “see resume” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.

• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.

Assessments:

• Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.

• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.

• This position requires a criminal background investigation.

Work Schedule:

• This position is categorized as Essential Personnel with the City of Austin. Essential staff are required to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and, in some cases, when they are not scheduled. Essential employees ensure the continuance of key operations for the City of Austin.

• Work hours may include after hours, holidays, and weekends.

• Shifts may change according to departmental needs.

• Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule.

  Pay Range

$30.14 – $37.68

Hours

Monday through Friday

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

May occasionally work evenings, weekends or holiday. Hours may change based on business needs.

Job Close Date 03/30/2023

Type of Posting External

Department Austin Energy

Regular/Temporary Regular

Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable

Category Professional

Location 4815 Mueller Blvd Austin, TX 78723

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven high level of organizational skills with the ability to meet multiple deadlines and prioritize action items with appropriate sense of urgency.

• Professional experience in marketing and advertising, including graphic design.

• Experience managing social media campaigns.

• Experience coordinating, collaborating, and working effectively with other departments or units within an organization.

• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining effective relationships with business contacts such as clients, peers, elected officials, media reporters, and external vendors.

• Skill in business writing and experience creating professional correspondence in a variety of formats.

• Experience with crisis communications, working with media outlets and handling media requests.

• Experience responding to and resolving escalated customer requests.

• Demonstrated presentation skills and the ability to develop high-quality presentations.

• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2016 or later, Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and Canva.

• Bilingual preferred.

  Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Works on assignments that are complex in nature where considerable judgment and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations. Primary responsibility for larger individual projects or act as an account representative for client departments and programs.

• Develops long-range strategic plans.

• Writes plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and edits articles for publication in a variety of forms, including electronic publication.

• Coordinates all aspects of production of marketing materials.

• Performs media relations duties to include: media buying, news releases, and fielding questions from media

• Coordinates public relations duties to include: public and school education, presentations, tours of public facilities, and requests for information from the general public.

• Designs, researches, writes and edits newsletters and releases for internal or external use.

• Produces public service announcements and videos for promotional use.

  Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May train and lead others.

  Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of public information, marketing, public relations, media relations programs.

• Knowledge of the functions and organization of municipal government, to include the relationships between departments, divisions and agencies.

• Knowledge of the principles associated with the role of meeting the necessary standards of customer service.

• Skill in oral and written communication.

• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.

• Skill in using computers and related software.

• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.

• Skill in planning and organizing.

• Ability to interpret policies and guidelines.

• Ability to write articles for publication.

• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

• Ability to lead and train others.

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

  Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation.

  EEO/ADA

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • This position requires Graduation from an accredited four (4) college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity. Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes

• No

• • Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

(Open Ended Question)

• • If identified as a top candidate, do you agree to a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI)?

• Yes

• No

• • Please describe your related experience in a team leader/coordinator capacity. In which position(s) listed on your application did you gain this experience?

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please describe your experience using organizational skills to meet multiple deadlines and prioritize action items with appropriate sense of urgency.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please describe the roles you've held in marketing and advertising.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please detail your work experience in graphic design.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please describe your experience managing social media campaigns.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please describe your experience coordinating, collaborating, and working effectively with other departments or units within an organization.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your experience establishing and maintaining effective relationships with business contacts such as clients, peers, elected officials, media reporters, and external vendors.

(Open Ended Question)

• • This position requires strong business writing skills. Describe the types of professional correspondence you have experience creating.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your experience with crisis communications, working with media outlets and handling media requests.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your experience responding to and resolving escalated customer requests.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your experience developing and delivering high-quality presentations.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Describe your experience and expertise in developing marketing materials using platforms such as InDesign, Adobe Creative, Canva, or similar applications. Indicate in your response the specific position(s) on your application where you obtained this experience and how many years of experience you have.

(Open Ended Question)

• • Please describe your proficiency/experience with Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, and Power Point.

(Open Ended Question)

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents

Optional Documents

Contact City of Austin Employment Services

Office: 512-974-3210