PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - POLICE DEPARTMENT

Baltimore County; Towson (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Baltimore County is seeking a Public Information Specialist to prepare information for public release and support public relations and information programs across county agencies. The role involves video recording and editing, social media posting, and coordinating promotional materials.

Responsibilities include attending events, livestreaming, and advising agency representatives on communications strategies. Requires a bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field and relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, mass communications, or related field.
• 1 year of experience in journalism, public relations, or related work.
• Education/certification requirements include proof uploaded with application.

Responsibilities

• Prepare information for public release and assist in public relations programs.
• Attend events, photograph, post to social media, and livestream events.
• Develop advertising and marketing strategies; prepare educational materials.

Skills

Public relations

Video editing

Social media

Graphic design

Writing

Public speaking

Editing

Researching

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism/English/mass communications

Tools

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Creative Suite

Desktop publishing

Word processing

Job description

Pay Schedule I, Grade 26, Regular Schedule: 35 hours per week Vacancies exists in the Police Department,Office of the Chief/Public Affairs Section. A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below. Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County General Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants. All interested transfer and promotional candidates must apply at this time. List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications. Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time. You MUST attach your transcript(s) and/or certification(s)/license(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable. Failure to submit proof of Education and/or Certification(s)/License(s) will result in your application not being considered. Proof of education, certification(s) and/or license(s) must be submitted with each application.

Under general supervision, prepares information for public release and assists County agencies in developing and implementing public relations and information programs.

Essential Job Duties

• Video recording, Adobe Premiere Pro editing, create visual and interactive content for social media.
• Attends, photographs, and posts public events.
• Livestreams agency events.
• Advises department heads, agency representatives, and others regarding public relations and information related matters.
• Develops and coordinates advertising and marketing strategies.
• Prepares educational and promotional materials.
• Schedules the release of promotional materials and secures public service time from local broadcast media.
• Writes original scripts and coordinates the production and airing of public service announcements and other media programs.
• Reviews, coordinates, rewrites, edits, and designs bulletins, pamphlets, internal and external newsletters, exhibits, and other materials which explain agency programs and policies.
• Researches, writes, and edits technical and procedural manuals.
• Researches and gathers information to be used in public information programs.

Examples of Other Duties

• Takes photographs for County publications.
• Uses desktop publishing, word processing, or typesetting equipment, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• On occasion work weekends.

(NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed)

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in journalism, English, mass communications, or a closely related field.

PLUS

One year of experience in journalism, creative writing, public relations, or closely related work.

(Additional experience in the areas listed above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years for the required education. Education in one of the fields listed above beyond a bachelor's degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level)

• Thorough knowledge of English grammar and spelling.
• Knowledge of the writing techniques and styles of journalism.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of layout, paste up, and basic graphic design.
• Knowledge of public relations techniques.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan, develop, organize, and coordinate public information and public relations programs.
• Ability to research and organize data.
• Ability to write original copy and to assemble, edit, and rewrite other copy.
• Ability to prepare copy for publication.
• Ability to write speeches, scripts, and news releases.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to lead and instruct others.
• Ability to use desktop publishing, word processing, or typesetting equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance)

• Knowledge of the public information and public relations needs of the department.
• Knowledge of effective methods of obtaining adequate publicity for programs and activities of the department.
• Knowledge of County and departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing performance of duties.
• Skill in planning, developing, organizing, and coordinating public information and public relations programs for the department.
• Public speaking skills.
• Skill in researching and organizing data.
• Skill in writing original copy and assembling, editing, and rewriting other copy.
• Skill in preparing copy for publication.
• Skill in writing speeches, scripts, and news releases.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to utilize all available media in order to meet the needs of the department.
• Skill in creating, editing, and producing video, photographic, and other multimedia content for digital and social media platforms.
• Skill in developing and administering content for organizational social media and digital platforms.
• Skill in conducting on-camera interviews and communicating effectively with news media regarding incidents, programs, and other matters of public interest.
• Ability to communicate effectively and exercise sound judgement in high‑pressure, rapidly developing, and sensitive situations.

Proof of License(s), Certification(s) and Education
Applicants are required to submit proof of license(s), certification(s) and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicant's major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of License(s), Certification(s) and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of license(s), certification(s), and/or education must be submitted with each application.

Proof of Degree Equivalency
Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. www.WES.org.
Mail or deliver documents to:
ATTN: Public Information Specialist - Police Department
Office of Human Resources
Baltimore County Government
308 Allegheny Avenue
Towson, MD 21204

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Physical and Environmental Conditions

The work of this classification is essentially sedentary with some walking, standing, or other limited physical activity. Some duties entail the operation of office and other equipment requiring manipulative and coordinative skills. Some duties may require traveling between work sites.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation

Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.