Under general supervision, performs professional public relations and communications work in planning, organizing and/or public information, media relations, and communication programs for the City of Compton.Under general direction from City Manager or his/her designee. Exercises supervisory responsibilities over assigned support staff.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Incumbents in this class are responsible for developing and implementing public information, media relations, and communication programs; and supporting City wide public information, media relations and communications programs.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Incumbents in this class are responsible for developing and implementing public information, media relations, and communication programs; and supporting City wide public information, media relations and communications programs. Incumbents perform a variety of professional media relations, public information, and communications work.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
• Plans, organizes and participates in public relations and media programs in accordance with the City’s goals and objectives; coordinates activities with department representatives and other management staff; discusses current developments and on-going programs, and provides and obtains information from department staff and other management representatives.
• Assists in implementing policies and procedures that enhance the City’s community, legislative, news media, public outreach and small business programs; establishes and maintains close relations with representatives of the news media in order to seek support for public programs, suggest new editorial ideas, encourage coverage of City issues, direct reporters to stories and cultivate future stories.
• Represents City departments before the news media, and public and private sector officials on a variety of issues that impact the awareness program; speaks at workshops, panel discussions, fairs, and other similar events.
• Prepares news releases, fact sheets, and other reports; develops educational material and programs for use by the media; disseminates information to the general public, news media, public and private sector officials, and small business; prepares press releases on such subjects as public hearings, rule and legislative changes, and announcements; researches and writes various publications, such as brochures, fact sheets, pamphlets, and newsletters for distribution to the public, employees, private organizations, and small businesses.
• Designs and arranges for the production of posters, signs, exhibits, and displays; arranges exhibits at meetings, workshops, and other community and civic programs; designs and presents films, slide shows, and other audio-visual programs and operates related equipment.
Prepares reports, studies, and Department documents; reviews technical documents and materials, prepares analyses and recommendations; keeps or provides direction in the keeping of scrapbooks, files of clippings and other information of value to the Department.
• Actively manages City social media accounts and television programming
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Communications, Public Relations, Public or Business Administration, Journalism, English or other field closely related to the intent of the class; and one year of full-time paid experience providing technical support in a public relations or communications program which included the dissemination of information to internal and/or external audiences through various communications media. Examples of qualifying experience might include graphic design, web page development, and/or developing and writing materials for use in print and electronic media; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:
•Must possess a valid California Class C Driver’s License.

EXAMINATION

The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled.

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination and interview process.

Phase one (1) is a written examination (weighted 50%) which will measure all or portions of the above knowledge, and skills. Phase two (2) is an oral examination (weighted 50%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. A passing score for each phase is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via e-mail of their status at each step of the recruitment.

The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.

GENERAL INFORMATION TO EXAMINATION APPLICANTS

The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services.

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.

ELIGIBLE LISTS
Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).

PLEASE NOTE:
All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only.

Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill any one (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.

EXAMINATION APPEAL PROCEDURE
A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).

EXAMINATION RECORDS
All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for purposes and under conditions established by the Personnel Board.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
In all entrance examinations (open-competitive only) for positions in the Classified Service, veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during time(s) of war, and who attain an overall passing score in the examination are allowed additional preferential credit in accordance with the Personnel Rules and Regulations. In order to claim veterans' credit, the applicant must submit proof of service and honorable discharge (showing specific dates of service) on a U.S. Military form (DD-214) at the time of application or not later than the final filing date for the examination.

FRINGE BENEFITS
The City's comprehensive fringe benefits program includes: retirement (Public Employees' Retirement System), medical, dental, life and vision insurances, deferred compensation, sick and vacation leaves, after-hours education reimbursement, ride share program, uniform allowance and other provisions.

City of Compton jobs

Public Information Officer