Public Information Supervisor

The full-time salary for this classification is: $6633.00 - $8725 monthly.

Please note:This position is budgeted at 75% of the posted salary range resulting in a salary range of $4974.75$6543.75. However we anticipate overfilling this position at 1.0 FTE pending available budget.

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is recruiting for a Public Information Supervisorat 0.75-FTEfor our Communications this essential Executive Team role you will develop and manage PHSSs public information program to connect community members with vital health and human services resources. We are looking for a creative manager to lead the production of high-quality outreach materials elevate public awareness and guarantee that all segments of our diverse community stay informed safe and supported.

Essential functions may include but are not limited to the following:

• Develops public information strategies for specific public health and social services programs based on internal and external stakeholder needs. Administers public information and education programs to provide the public with greater knowledge and understanding of the Thurston County Public Health & Social Services department and to enhance the departments communication with the media and the community.
• Coordinates with the Countys Communications Office and provides input into the development implementation and evaluation of county-wide communication policies and plans.
• Supervises staff engaged in the design preparation and production of public information materials. Participates in selection and performance evaluation of those staff members.
• Plans develops and produces or supervises the production of public information and educational materials such as news articles brochures fact sheets newsletters advertisements displays etc.
• Participates in the selection and supervision of outside consultants for public information services such as graphic design printing and advertising.
• Coordinates or supervises the coordination and dissemination of information about special events public forums neighborhood meetings etc.
• Disseminates information about office or department programs in response to requests by the media residents business community neighborhood organizations and other jurisdictions to educate and facilitate positive communications with the County.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of press releases public service announcements and other information for release to the media. May serve as media liaison or spokesperson on specific projects.
• Perform other work as required or assigned including but not limited to a 24/7 response during public health emergency situations and disease outbreak investigations. This includes emergency preparedness training and exercises relevant to the work expectations of duties during emergencies.

To view the full job classification click here:Public Information Supervisor

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment - Quiet office setting in Olympia Washington
• Schedule - Monday Friday 8:00am 5:00pm with the potential option of alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working
• Travel Requirements - Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings or trainings
• Customer Interactions - Daily interactions with Thurston County staff and the public

WHO WE ARE:

Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) is Thurston Countys local health jurisdiction and human services department and is responsible for protecting the health and promoting the well-being of all people who live work and play in Thurston County. We value diversity and strive to foster a sense of belonging honoring the unique experiences cultures skills backgrounds identities and perspectives of our employees and community. As an agency actively working to address health equity we aspire for everyone to have the opportunity to attain their highest level of health regardless of their individual circumstances.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized appreciated and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each persons talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures lifestyles backgrounds and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values.Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service while also sustaining a routine that suits each individuals lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team you will enjoy great employee benefits including a retirement plan pre-tax savings accounts as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visitThurston County Employee Benefit Plansfor more information.
• Paid Leave:Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paidholidays.
• Robust Training Program:Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career learn new skill sets and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules:Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation:The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA):Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness:This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans to get their student loans repaid.Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Why youll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washingtons South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating hiking skiing and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia known for its many restaurants microbreweries coffee shops farmers markets kids activities history and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at.

Message to potential applicants:We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position and meet the minimum qualifications we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree involving major study in journalism communications public relations marketing English or closely related field. Additional experience may be substituted for education on a year for year basis.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in public information public relations journalism or other field involving preparation and distribution of public information materials.

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Experience in the public or private sector
• Ability to communicate verbally in writing and via various graphic and electronic media complex ideas and technical information to a variety of audiences in a clear concise effective and professional manner
• Knowledge of public information strategy and the principles and methods used in the preparation of public information materials. Ability to identify communication solutions to various organizational issues. Ability to conceptualize and design public information materials. Knowledge of graphic arts and printing methods materials and terminology
• Computer/desktop publishing experience preferred
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with local media. Knowledge of various media sources and how to package information to ensure wide dissemination
• Ability to plan and carry out promotional and marketing campaigns. Ability to plan organize schedule and carry out multiple tasks and priorities. Knowledge of public policy and decision-making processes. Basic knowledge of county government organization programs and services. Knowledge of basic supervisory skills and techniques

Respect and Organizational Culture

• Create an environment where employees and partners can safely express needs or concerns and where employees can make and correct mistakes
• Effectively interact with sensitivity while working with persons from diverse cultural socioeconomic educational racial ethnic and professional backgrounds and persons of all ages gender identities sexual orientations and lifestyles
• Thrive in a fast-paced robust organization maintaining a positive work environment

Communication

• Serve the public in a timely complete accurate and professional manner while ensuring that written and verbal communication is clearly understood by others
• Maintain cultural competency to support diverse perspectives in developing implementing and evaluating policies programs and services that affect the health of the community
• Strong oral communication for networking and interpersonal relationships
• Excellent written communication including the ability to craft correspondence reports and articles or web postings with minimal grammatical and syntax errors

Leadership:

• Supervise motivate and develop employees and team to become more productive and effective in achieving desired goals and career growth while encouraging employee critical reflection; able to give direction without conflict
• Show fairness and impartiality in interactions; is interested in employee welfare elicits staff input where feasible; respond to staff suggestions and complaints in a sincere sensitive and timely manner

Goal Setting and Accomplishment

• Use strategic thinking and planning for goal setting and evaluation
• Effectively plan organize and manage competing priorities and challenges under pressure
• Create a sense of mission by articulating and modeling confidentiality professional values and ethics with honesty and integrity
• Operate with a high degree of flexibility initiative attention to detail and commitment
• Delegate and use persuasion and negotiating skills for shared responsibility and acceptance of change

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment Please contact the PHSS hiring team at:or

This position is:

• Eligible for benefits
• Not represented by a union
• Not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Contingent on the ability to pass a background check
• Grant funded

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of interest
• Applicant Disclosure Form (Pursuant to RCW Section 43.43.830) (Supplemental Questions 1-6)
• Please note:The candidate selected for this position isrequiredto show proof of the following immunizations by their agreed upon start date:
  • Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)
  • Tetanus diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap/TD)
  • Baseline tuberculosis screening (required of all new employees who are healthcare personnel work in healthcare areas or who have contact with patients/clients as part of their normal duties; must be completed no earlier than three months prior to starting work.

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment services and activities which is free from restriction based on race sex marital status color creed or religion national origin age sexual orientation including gender expression or identity pregnancy status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status genetic information or the presence of any sensory mental or physical disability unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston Countys Human Resources at . Those who are deaf deaf-blind hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-) to connect with Washington Relay.