Public Information Officer

Fairbanks North Star, Borough of (AK); Fairbanks (AK); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairbanks North Star Borough seeks a Lead Public Information Officer to provide professional public information and public relations support for the Mayor’s Office. You will coordinate media relations, develop strategic communications plans, and train staff for emergency information needs.

Responsibilities include crisis communications, press events, and dissemination of information to media, government partners, and the public. Requires strong writing, coordination, and confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience providing public information in public relations, journalism, or related setting.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, business, public administration or related field preferred.
• Must have proficiency with Windows-based products (MS Word, MS PowerPoint) and be able to operate social media professionally.
• Valid driver’s license and insurability per Borough requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide public relations support to the Mayor’s Office and communicate with media and public about Borough issues.
• Coordinate and develop internal and external strategic communication plans to convey a cohesive mission.
• Organize press conferences and events for the Borough Mayor.
• Liaise with professional organizations and agencies to coordinate information dissemination.
• Review/update procedures and manage crisis communication during emergencies under the Emergency Operations Plan.
• Provide complex administrative support including press releases, notices, newsletters, and graphic materials.
• Coordinate and monitor interdepartmental web teams and social media content.
• Arrange meetings and represent the Borough at public meetings as needed.
• Respond to citizen and media information requests and document resolutions.
• Serve as backup for executive administrative support.

Skills

Public relations writing

Verbal communication

Media relations

Strategic communications

Crisis communications

Project coordination

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Video editing software

Photo editing software

Social media platforms (professional use)

Job description

Provide professional public information and public relations for the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Serve as Lead Public Information Officer during emergency events; coordinate and train other employees to fulfill public information needs. Coordinate social media programs and other avenues to disseminate public information. Provide training and resources to staff in areas of public relations. Provide a wide range of complex administrative assistance to the Borough Mayor and executive staff. This position is required to handle sensitive and confidential communications and documents that pertain to the operation of the Mayor's office.

SALARY: 14A

REPORTS TO: Deputy Chief of Staff

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None

SCHEDULE:

Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 5:00 PM, occasional hours outside normal work schedule

• 1. Provide public relations support to the Mayor’s Office. Communicate with the media and public regarding Borough issues. Assist departments with creating information pieces about their programs and services.
• 2. Coordinate and develop the Borough’s internal and external strategic communication plans. Integrate the organization’s communication and public relation initiatives into a cohesive effort that conveys a consistent message in support of its mission, strategic goals, and objectives.
• 3. Arrange, organize, and coordinate press conferences and special events hosted by the office of the Borough Mayor.
• 4. Serve as the point of contact and assist with projects related to the Borough Mayor's functions with professional organizations, other governmental agencies, the business community, and within the Borough's departments/divisions.
• 5. Review/update procedures and manage crisis communication during an emergency event to include staffing the public information component as required under the Emergency Operations Plan. Provide or coordinate training for back-up PIO’s. Work with public information officers at other agencies to coordinate information dissemination. Perform work within the National Incident Management System (NIMS) framework, including staffing of joint information centers. Send out external Rave notices.
• 6. Provide complex administrative support to the Borough Mayor. Prepare press releases, special advertisements, public notices, reports, newsletters, slideshows, videos, and other communications. Create information documents such as fliers, mailers, posters, and other graphic materials. Disseminate information to media, legislature, local governments, public agencies, etc.
• 7. Coordinate and organize interdepartmental web teams, monitor webpage and social media programs for the Borough. Review and approve webpage design and content management plans. Assist with the use of technology to enhance communications in support of department missions. Monitor websites for relevant content and accuracy.
• 8. Coordinate arrangements for meetings and special events including pick-up and delivery services. Represent the Borough at public meetings as assigned and coordinate planning and outreach activities. Meet at various locations on short notice and/or during non-duty hours.
• 9. Respond to citizen and media requests for information. Coordinate the timely response to public information requests made upon the Borough by working with appropriate departments. Monitor community concerns and make administration aware of issues that may need to be addressed.
• 10. Serve as backup for the Executive Administrative Assistant. Certain duties as applicable.
• 11. Communicate with community members directly to resolve issues. Receive, research, and resolve customer complaints received by phone, mail, email, fax, and social media. Forward complaints you are unable to address to the Chief of Staff or Mayor. Write up reports with your recommendations, including preventive or corrective actions, for the Chief of Staff.
• 12. Create social media content on various platforms to provide updates and storytelling to the public, coordinate with departments to ensure their compliance and inclusion. Ensure appropriate social media presence is maintained. Review department requests for use of social media. Monitor social media for relevant content and accuracy. Analyze social media performance metrics and identify opportunities to enhance outreach efforts.
• 13. Work outside of a traditional office work schedule as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 1. High school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, business, public administration or related field is preferred.
• 2. Two (2) years of experience working providing public information in public relations, news media, journalism or other related setting. Educational preference can offset experience.
• 3. Demonstrated knowledge of personal computers using windows-based products (MS Word, MS Power Point, video and photo editing software is required. Experience with various social media platforms in a professional setting. Ability to type with speed and accuracy.
• 4. Must have and be able to maintain a valid driver’s license. Must meet insurance standards and maintain insurability under the Borough's insurance program. If personal automobile is used for Borough business, proof of automobile insurance at statutory limits must be provided. (A CURRENT COPY OF DRIVING RECORD WILL BE REQUIRED UPON REQUEST)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• 1. Must possess excellent writing, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
• 2. Demonstrated ability to convey complex technical, policy, and programmatic information to the public and media in a tactful, courteous, and professional manner.
• 3. Demonstrated understanding of current principles, techniques, and objectives of public information and public relations programs.
• 4. Ability to organize time efficiently and to work with minimal supervision. Ability to perform multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while delivering excellent service to internal and external customers. Ability to respond to specific events occurring outside regular business hours.
• 5. Ability to analyze complex problems, interpret organizational needs, and develop integrated, creative solutions.
• 6. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information. Ability to apply sound judgment in handling the publicity and informational activities of the Borough.
• 7. Must be able to maintain effective working relationships with media, staff, general public, professional colleagues, and other governmental, state, and local agencies. Ability to work independently and coordinate a team.
• 8. Ability to obtain NIMS certifications (Level 100 and 200) within twelve (12) months of hire.
• 9. Self-initiative to identify and tell complex stories.

OTHER

• 1. A PROFICIENCY TEST MAY BE ADMINISTERED.
• 2. This position requires a criminal background check.

JOB CONTACTS:

Continuous contact with employees at all levels of the borough; continuous routine public contact and frequent contact involving outside organizations/agencies.

JOB RESPONSIBILITY:

Supervisor responsibilities: Does not supervise. Experiences very little routine and often major problems with little immediate supervision. The consequences of error, carelessness or mistaken judgment require significant effort to recover.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

General office where conditions are pleasant, with good, clean conditions; while in the field, there is minor accident/hazard probability; requires short periods of light lifting, pushing or pulling (1-25lbs.).