Public Information Specialist Senior

Posting Title Public Information Specialist Senior Job Requisition Number COA091792 Position Number 106721 Job Type Full-Time Division Name ARR PIO, Marketing, & Communic Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• 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

Overview of the position:

Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) seeks a talented Public Information Specialist Senior. As part of ARR's Public Information and Marketing division, this role will work with internal clients, subject matter experts, and teammates to develop and implement creative marketing campaigns to reach diverse audiences. They will also respond to media inquiries, write talking points, and coordinate and provide interviews with the media.

The successful candidate will be a professional with excellent diplomacy skills and an empathetic and inclusive work philosophy. They will demonstrate the ability to multitask and work well under pressure, including in emergency scenarios and crisis management.

They are confident with their communication skills, are highly self-motivated, curious and creative, and develop relationships built on trust.

Working with Austin Resource Recovery provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more.

Application: Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meet the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees, in Good Standing, who are Candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview.

A detailed and complete employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Your application should reflect your complete employment history (to include all job duties responsibilities and employment dates) on your online application. The application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered (e.g., "see resume" or "see Linked In Profile"). The responses to the supplemental questions inquiring about experience should be reflected on your application.

If you are selected to interview: Candidates selected to interview will receive information and instructions for preparing a short presentation to be given at the time of the interview.

Skills Assessments: A competency assessment may be required to verify your skill set.

90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other similar positions within Austin Resource Recovery outside of the division listed above.

Nepotism Policy: The City of Austin Nepotism Policy states, "No person, regardless of job title or length of tenure with the City, shall be employed in a position in which the relative has direct or indirect supervisory authority regarding the terms and conditions of their relative's employment."

Virtual Interviews: Austin Resource Recovery may conduct virtual interviews.

Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Physical Requirements: Tasks may involve bending, lifting, walking, carrying or using a force equal to lifting up to twenty (20) pounds. Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.

Benefits: Working with the City of Austin at Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

This position is eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. This is a federal program designed to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans upon meeting program requirements.

Military/Veteran: Veteran candidates will be required to provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of interview.

Tobacco and Vape-Free Workplace: All Austin Resource Recovery locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any ARR worksite - including parking lot or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

Pay Range

$30.29 - $37.86 per hour

Hours

Monday

• Friday; 8:00 a.m.

• 5:00 p.m.

Employee will be required to work holidays, after hours or weekends and other areas due to business needs.

Telework opportunities are available according to business needs.

Job Close Date 06/13/2024 Type of Posting External Department Austin Resource Recovery Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 1520 Rutherford Lane, Austin, TX 78754 Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Experience:

• Experience leading communication and marketing campaigns aimed at reaching diverse audiences.

• Experience writing press releases, responding to media inquiries, compiling talking points and/or written responses, and coordinating and providing interviews.

• Experience writing content and adjusting tone and style for a variety of marketing materials and other communication tactics.

• Proficiency in Spanish or a secondary language other than English.

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

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

• Supervisor 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 does not require a Criminal Background Investigation EEO/ADA

The 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.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.