Media Specialist I

County of Tulare; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department in Visalia seeks a Public Information Officer to serve as the department's spokesperson and help plan media relations initiatives. The role emphasizes clear public communication and handling media inquiries with professionalism.

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, or public relations and at least two years in journalism or public relations. A California driver’s license is required or obtainable.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field.
• Two years of experience in journalism, mass media communication or public relations.
• Knowledge of journalistic styles and public information programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to explain complex issues clearly to the public and media.

Responsibilities

• May serve as Department or Agency spokesperson in media requests for information when required.
• Assist in planning, development, coordination and implementation of media strategies to disseminate department or agency information.
• Assist in coordinating public relations activities.
• Assist with the development of materials to be presented in press announcements including preparing press releases and feature articles.
• Help to develop and coordinate the illustration and printing of publications.

Skills

Public relations

Journalism

Mass media

Writing

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing or public relations

Job description

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies for those County departments that have this position, which are the District Attorney, Probation, and Sheriff’s Department. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months.

Current vacancy is with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months.

Please note, our policy contains personal appearance standards which include prohibiting visible tattoos above the collar line or below the wrist. We ask that all applicants be able to meet this requirement.

• May serve as Department or Agency spokesperson in media requests for information when required.
• Assist in the planning, development, coordination and implementation of media strategies to disseminate department or agency information.
• Assist in coordinating public relations activities.
• Assist with the development of materials to be presented in press announcements including preparing press releases and feature articles.
• Help to develop and coordinate the illustration and printing of publications.

Essential job duties may be assigned that are not listed above but are relative to this job classification. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in journalism, mass media communication or public relations.

Knowledge of:

• Various journalistic styles.
• Current principles, techniques and objectives of public information and public relations programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to employ a variety of writing techniques that inform the public on complex issues.
• Current office practices and procedures including business correspondence, filing, and standard office equipment operations.

See the full list in the link.

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment.
• Work in a multi-task environment.
• Represent the department or agency to the media in a professional manner.

See the full list in the link.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license.

See the full list in the link.

DESIRABLE EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

• Copy writing, journalism or desktop publishing experience.

Conditions of Employment:

Candidates selected may be required to pass a pre- employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan service or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER