Salary: $52,251.00 – $57,476.00 Annually
Location : Tucson, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2023-01658
Department: Communications and Graphic Services
Division: CM CMOFFICEGRANTS
Opening Date: 10/13/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Position Description
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Salary Grade: 11
Salary Range: $52,251.00 – $57,476.00 Annually DOE
This grant-funded 18-month, position is located in the Communications and Graphic Services Department. Facilitates the development and execution of strategic communications projects for County departments and programs or within an Elected Official’s Office and serves as the primary contact for assigned client departments.
This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.
Duties/Responsibilities
(Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.)
Serves as the primary contact between the Communications Office and assigned client departments or within an Elected Official’s Office and develops relationships with departmental staff and an understanding of the department’s needs and goals;
Advises, instructs and assists Communications staff in developing communication strategies for assigned departments, or individuals for specific projects, and monitors work produced for the client department for appropriate strategic solutions;
Maintains an awareness of the status of current or planned projects for the assigned departments and acts as a secondary monitor of work quality and progress completion;
Analyzes issues and generates story ideas for the approval of the client department;
Designs and implements multi-platform information campaigns in collaboration with the assigned departments and acts as a secondary monitor of work quality and progress completion;
Acts as an advocate for the client department’s interests or Elected Official with the Communications Office and acts as a Communications Office advocate with the client department;
Researches and gathers information from various sources within County government to compose articles in non-technical, readable prose for posting to the County website or other media outlets;
Writes opinion or commentary pieces as assigned;
Edits text produced by client departmental staff;
Cultivates and maintains working relationships with external media representatives;
Advises media representatives on complex issues and connects reporters to proper sources within County government.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
Knowledge of:
- current methods of information dispersal and their appropriate uses;
- research and information investigation techniques (internet, historical archives, etc.);
- grammar, punctuation usage and spelling;
- editing styles for different types of media.
Skill in:
- critical thinking in development of strategic communication plans;
- using diagnostic and analytical skills with detailed orientation;
- organizing text, pictures, and video to communicate clearly;
- communicating policy information clearly, concisely and accurately in written and verbal fashion;
- writing clearly, concisely and utilizing journalistic and proper grammar, punctuation and spelling;
- interviewing techniques;
- distinguishing between marketing or promotional stories, and hard new stories;
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, etc.), E-mail communication and use of Internet social
networking sites;
- identifying potential news and feature stories that would be of interest to the general public.
Minimum Qualifications
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a major in journalism, communications, public relations, media communications, English or other closely related field as determined by the appointing authority at the time of recruitment, and two years of experience in journalism, public relations or media relations.
(Additional relevant experience/education from an accredited college, university or trade school may be substituted.)
Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the “Education” and “Work Experience” sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write “see resume” on your application.
Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):
- Minimum one (1) year experience using social media as a strategic marketing tool for a government, business, or organization.
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations. A requisite combination of education and experience will be considered by the appointing authority.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish).
Selection Procedure:
Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum/desired qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum/desired qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.
Supplemental Information
Licenses and Certificates: Some positions require a valid Arizona Class D driver license at the time of application or prior to completion of an initial/promotional probation period. Failure to obtain or maintain the required licensure shall be grounds for termination.
Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County.
Physical/Sensory Requirements: Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position.
EEO Information: Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Pima County provides access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for eligible employees and has an award-winning wellness program. Our plan is designed to ensure a high level of coverage and financial protection. Read more about our benefits program by