Sonoma Water Public Information Officer - Promotional

Job Description:

Sonoma Water Public Information Officer - Promotional

Description

Position Information

THIS RECRUITMENT IS PROMOTIONAL ONLY. YOU MUST PRESENTLY BE A FULL- OR PART TIME REGULAR OR PROBATIONARY COUNTY OF SONOMA, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, SONOMA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS, OR SONOMA COUNTY WATER AGENCY EMPLOYEE IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION.

The Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) has requested a department promotional certification to fill a Sonoma Water Public Information Officer position. Only qualified permanent and/or probationary Sonoma Water employees on the eligible list may be eligible for referral to the department for the advertised position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time or part-time positions as they occur during the active status of the list. The formal title for this position is Water Agency Public Information Officer.

At Sonoma Water, the Public Information Officer (PIO) plays a pivotal role in delivering factual and timely public information to the community by shaping and executing the department’s media relations strategy. This position is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic public information and media initiatives, including both earned and paid media, while coordinating media relations interviews, press events, and content development for the Sonoma Water website. Additionally, the PIO will foster and maintain working relationships with the media, community groups, elected officials and other special interest groups. In this role, you will lead media workshops and oversee the work of consultants involved in Sonoma Water public information relations. Additional responsibilities will also include:

• Developing materials such as the annual report, press releases, press statements, press kits, and contributing to/editing various newsletters and fact sheets for Sonoma Water
• Implementing Sonoma Water’s strategic communications plan as it relates to media relations and coordination of public information activities alongside the community engagement section
• Serving as lead Public Information Officer for Sonoma Water during both routine and emergency situations (sometimes in the Emergency Operations Center), including coordinating outreach to press and implementing press events
• Actively managing and strategically developing communications with community through the media

The ideal candidate for this position will be skilled at writing press materials, creatively and effectively communicating program goals, strategic direction, and operational issues in a clear and compelling way. They will also have many of the following:

• Expertise in media relations, including writing and editing materials for various media platforms (print, digital, broadcast) and leading media events
• Training in emergency operations, including knowledge of crisis communications and Emergency Operation Center's structure and the role of the Public Information Officer
• Intermediate skills with graphic design programs (ideally Adobe Illustrator and Canva), intermediate or advanced skills in using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and Nextdoor
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint
• Strong verbal and written communicator with the ability to tailor content for diverse digital and print formats and facilitate effective group meetings

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, three years experience, at a professional level, working in public information or public education program would provide the necessary qualifying experience.

Education: Any combination of education and/or training which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with academic course work in public administration, communications, journalism, public information, education, water-related science, or a closely related field would provide such an opportunity.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge of: the principles, techniques and methods of public relations, principles and techniques of learning theory and motivation; principles and methods of program management and evaluation; fundamentals of instruction and curriculum and lesson plan development; principles and practices of public relations; fundamentals of public speaking; principles and practices of public relations; fundamentals of public speaking; principles, techniques and methods of preparing information, news releases, and instructional materials including graphics and written copy; principles of supervision, training and performance management; group facilitation techniques; and generally accepted rules of English usage, including spelling, grammar, punctuation and syntax.

Knowledge of: Water Agency program activities and operation.

Ability to: communicate orally and in writing in a clear, concise and effective manner; exercise discretion and sensitivity in interpreting and communicating Agency policies and programs; develop creative and visually attractive public information materials; speak publicly, both formally and extemporaneously, before a variety of diverse groups in an effective manner; present technical information and supportive materials; analyze problems quickly, examine alternatives and recommend solutions or determine a course of action; coordinate, plan, and schedule appropriate public relations strategies to inform the public on Agency issues or projects; establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, community groups, business leaders, government officials, members of the media, and Water Agency staff, and the general public in a variety of settings; and, use a variety of software applications relative to desk-top publishing and presentations.

Working Conditions
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing statistical reports and data using a computer key board. Additionally, the position requires near vision in reading correspondence, statistical data and using a computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone service and communication in person. The need to lift, drag, and push files, computer reports, or other materials weighing up to 25 pounds also is required.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT
HR Technician: KK

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: MANAGEMENT*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan :Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan :Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 4/14/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$119,258.04 - $144,971.36 Annually