The public information associate will assist in the initiation, planning, development, maintenance, evaluation, implementation and coordination of a public information and engagement program for a County department.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS: 

Under general direction, positions allocable to this class report to a higher-level supervisor or higher-level Public Information class and are responsible for advising and assisting in the overall administration of public information programs, services, or activities, utilizing various media channels. Incumbents participate in writing and editing releases and articles, researching departmental programs and identifying opportunities for potential media coverage or content development, and coordinating relations with the media. Positions in this class must possess good verbal and written communication skills applying communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques to engage local media and to convey information to the public through various media channels.  Incumbents must demonstrate awareness of current events, especially those involving the County, and have a working knowledge of local media outlets, social media platforms, and the Public Records Act.  This class may serve as the sole public information representative for a small department. Incumbents must seek professional development opportunities and continually update their skills.  

• Develops digital media content for web and social media platforms.

• Develops and maintains contact lists for various media outlets, including hyperlocal and ethnic media outlets.

• Coordinates and assists with public information-related special projects, research, events, and programs requiring knowledge of community and/or department concerns and issues.

• Researches and reviews new and emerging media as an avenue for use in community outreach and public communications.

• Establishes, develops, and maintains interactions with the media, community groups, and department managers to proactively provide information on departmental affairs.

• Receives and responds to public information inquiries from the public regarding available services; prepares correspondence in response to inquiries, general complaints, and recommendations relative to the County's various programs and activities; and consults with appropriate staff members to secure pertinent facts and information.

• Handles intake and response to media requests for information under the California Public Records Act, in coordination with departmental management, County Counsel and the department’s Public Records Act coordinator.

• Assists in analyzing and evaluating data to develop appropriate communications recommendations for management.

• Assists in developing and maintaining internal communication projects.

• Prepares releases, web and social media posts, and related materials that may be delivered through press conferences or other communication channels.

• Serves as liaison between the department and media representatives.

• Monitors and tracks issues affecting the department, monitors media channels, and informs management accordingly.

• Assists in assessing effectiveness of communication efforts.

• Assists in maintaining departmental website’s public information content.

• Manges a photo archive of key word-searchable photos.

• Staffs public information booth and make presentations to community groups.

• Assists with emergency and crisis communications.

• Drives to different sites, as necessary.  

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A Bachelor's degree or higher* from an accredited college or university with a major in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Public Relations, English or a closely-related field. 

-AND- 

Two years in a staff capacity** in public relations administering a public information program or professional experience*** as a journalist within a media organization. 

** In the County of Los Angeles, Staff capacity is defined as work in an advisory capacity to line managers to provide program and administrative support. Work includes assisting and supporting administration by doing research, analysis, and making recommendations to line managers.

LICENSE:

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Some positions may require a valid California Class C Driver License to perform job-related functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS: 

Physical Class II – Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10 pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

EXAMINATION CONTENT:

This exam will consist of a multiple choice and/or simulation test weighted at 100%, measuring:
 
Customer Service, Fact Finding and Data Analysis, Decision Making, Reading Comprehension, Adaptability, Relationship Building Skills, Conscientiousness, Ethics & Integrity, Self-Management, Innovation, Industry Awareness, and Continual Learning.
 
Multiple choice tests and simulation assessments are not reviewable by candidates per Civil Service Rule 7.19.

Candidates must meet the Selection Requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the examination in order to be placed on the Eligible Register.

NOTE: All notifications including invitation letters will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add Ahsu@dcba.lacounty.gov, CSears@hr.lacounty.gov, info@governmentjobs.com, talentcentral@shl.com, noreply@proctoru.com and donot-reply@amcatmail.com to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component. 
 
Test Preparation 
 Study guides and other test preparation resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides will help you preparing for the test, we advise you to review all related materials that you deem necessary.

• An interactive, Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources website at http://hr.lacounty.gov/. Please click on "Find A Job" and then "Job Search Toolkit."  Test preparation information is located under the "Employment Test Assistance" section.  
• Additional online practice tests are available at https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests/. You can also access test preparation for the computerized portion of the test by going to http://www.shldirect.com/practice_tests.html.

Vacancy Information:
The resulting eligible register for this examination will be used to fill both permanent and temporary vacancies in the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. 

Application And Filing Information:
Applications must be filed online only. We must receive your application BEFORE 5:00 p.m., PT, on the last day of filing. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person will not be accepted. Any required documents must be submitted within seven (7) calendar days from application submission. 

Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline. You may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

Fill out your application completely. The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the Selection Requirements to Qualify as listed on this job bulletin. Provide any relevant job experience in the spaces provided so we can evaluate your qualifications for the job. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. If your application is incomplete, it will be rejected.

Important: Please note that all information included in the application materials is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or rescission of appointment. Utilizing verbiage from the Class Specification and requirements serving as your description of duties will not be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and you may be disqualified.
 
 
IMPORTANT NOTE:

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes.  Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
 
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
 
NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD
All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

Department Contact Name: Alvin Hsu, Exam Analyst
Department Contact Phone: (213) 948-2895
Department Contact E-mail: AHsu@dcba.lacounty.gov
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
ADA Coordinator Phone: (213) 948-2895
Teletype Phone Number: (800) 899-4099
Alternate Teletype Phone Number: (800) 897- 0077 

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Employment Information

Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.

This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.

Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.

Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).

Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.

Revised January 2025