Career Opportunity

Public Relations Officer (1314) - Department of Public Health (Multiple Positions)

Recruitment: REF9678X

Published: December 22, 2022

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

The Department of Public Health’s Communications Office is accepting applications for three (3) 3-year temporary exempt positions in class 1314 Public Relations Officer to help the meet the urgent need to support, strengthen, and improve the continually growing external and internal communications needs of San Francisco’s largest City department. Two positions support DPH’s Central Office in Department-wide efforts, including core functions on the DPH media desk, digital communications and topic and issues management. The third position located at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center supports the development of communications for capital projects campaigns. DPH values a diverse workforce and is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with the first review of applications seven (7) days after the posting

• Application Opening – Thursday, August 18, 2022
• Application Deadline – Continuous; May close at any time -Interested applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.
• Compensation: $50.20 - $65.7125 / hourly
• Schedule/Shift: Monday – Friday, 8am - 5pm with some nights and weekends

Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt. This position is excluded by the Charter from the competitive Civil Service examination process. Exempt employees are considered "at will" and serve at the discretion of the Appointing Officer.

The applicant pool resulting from this recruitment may be used to fill future TEX vacancies in this class at other locations within DPH. 

Role description

Temporary Exempt - In accordance with San Francisco Charter Section 10.104.

The general essential duties for Class 1314 Public Relations Officer: https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/?classCode=1314

The essential job functions for the DPH Public Relations Officer positions are as follows:

Public Relations Officer for DPH-wide communications:

Two positions are located at DPH’s Central Office at 101 Grove Street to assist with Department-wide efforts and reports directly to the DPH Director of Communications. The COVID-19 pandemic as well as Monkeypox and other infectious diseases has greatly expanded the need for public health information and outreach to a large and diverse population in order to prompt rapid action and behavior change to save lives and slow the spread of infections. At the same time, the public, media and policy makers have increased expectations around communication, timely access to information, and quality of care. These needs will continue and as many other pressing public health needs are elevated and necessary to address, including behavioral health issues, environmental health issues, and others.

Public Relations Officers are embedded within the DPH communications team and must flexible, quick thinking, organized and able to develop reputation-building content, campaigns and programs.

They develop a working understanding of the City’s multi-faceted health services as well as a comprehensive understanding of the department’s many interconnecting services, priorities, programming and areas of expertise to be able to identify where the communications opportunities are to enhance outreach and public understanding.

The positions will support media desk operations, digital media, public relations campaigns and other communications responsibilities as they arise by obtaining public health information and health officer guidance, identifying appropriate channels for dissemination of information, and assisting with the production of communications materials that may need coordination with the many DPH divisions and across City departments. 

The Public Relations Officer positions plan key announcements, launches moments and identifies storytelling opportunities; drafts press releases, newsroom posts, statements, messaging guides, and other communications materials; prepares and reviews news releases, newsletters, talking points, executive communications, internal communications, website content and articles. They may produce digital communications content to promote DPH activities, programs, and personnel; supports cross-functional activities including videos, social media campaigns, website refreshes, presentations and annual report.

This is an opportunity to work in a fast-paced and rapidly changing environment, where timely and accurate dissemination of information is critical to maintaining public trust and matters greatly to the public’s health and wellbeing. Experience health communications at its best with an enthusiastic, supportive, and dedicated team of public health communicators and leaders. Fluency in Spanish, Cantonese and/or Mandarin languages is especially desired. The Public Relations Officer may perform other duties as assigned.

Public Relations Officer for DPH Capital Projects:

The third position is located at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center (ZSFG) and reports to the ZSFG Chief Communications Officer. The DPH Communications division at (ZSFG) advances the reputation and delivery of communications services for San Francisco’s largest primary care facility and only Level 1 trauma center dedicated to improving the health and wellness of our community. With a workforce of more than 5,000 and key partnerships with UCSF and the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, excellent communications remain key to advancing the hospital’s mission toward equity, access, and quality health care for all.  

In 2016, San Francisco voters approved a $350 million Public Health and Safety bond which includes major capital and seismic work at ZSFG and improvements throughout the San Francisco Health Network, including completion of the seismically-safe retrofit of existing ZSFG Building 5, expanding urgent care; preserving the City’s only psychiatric emergency department and renovating several neighborhood-based community health centers. 

Under direction, the Public Relations Officer for Capital Projects will implement daily activities associated with internal and external strategic communications campaigns for projects in the 2016 Public Health and Safety bond. The Public Relations Officer may perform other duties as assigned.

How to qualify

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Required)

Education:
Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public relations, journalism, English, mass communications, public administration, public policy or a closely related field; AND

Experience:
Four (4) years of verifiable full time professional experience in editorial, newspaper, magazine, radio, television, public relations, social media, digital engagement, or advertising. This experience must be equivalent to job code 1312 Public Information Officer for the City and County of San Francisco and must include at least one (1) year of experience in planning and conducting a public relations, public information, or public education program.

Substitution:

1. Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of 2 years). Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.
2. Possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in public relations, journalism, mass communications or a closely related field may substitute for up to one (1) year of the required experience.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirement by the final filing date unless otherwise noted.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at here.

One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

The Public Relations Officer will require occasional local travel to programs and locations throughout San Francisco.

DPH-wide Communications:

• Experience in planning and coordinating effective media relations program; coordinating public communications/relations activities across multiple divisions and departments.
• Proven ability to take direction and input and to develop effective and engaging communications that achieve organizational goals
• Excellent time management, project management, organizational and communications skills, ability to influence and coordinate the efforts of multiple divisions and leaders in support of communications initiatives
• High level of verbal and written communications skills, ability to present and propose ideas effectively
• Demonstrated success with media relations including proactively sourcing and pitching stories around programs and activities, and fielding inquiries from reporters.
• Superior writing skills; ability to understand complex concepts and translate them into clear and compelling narratives. 
• Experience overseeing the development and execution of public relations and public information campaigns (e.g., pitching stories to media, designing communications for local and state elected officials), events (e.g., staff informational meetings, develop presentations) and digital communication (e.g., website and social media)
• Demonstrated experience in issues management and/or emergency response
• Knowledge of public health principles, including the incorporation of equity as a priority
• Demonstrated experience working in a complex environment with several cross-functional teams.
• Successful at translating technical information for a lay audience (e.g. clinical guidance, legal health orders)
• Ability to consult effectively with the department head, division chiefs, auxiliary organizations and others regarding immediate and long-range publicity and public information plans and public service programs
• Experience representing an organization by attending meetings and conferences
• Ability to supervise the design and production of publicity for departmental activities
• Working knowledge of the Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Performing related duties as required
• Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese and/or Mandarin languages is highly desired

DPH Capital Projects:

• Knowledge of current best practices in communications, marketing and public outreach; methods and procedures used for developing, organizing, overseeing and evaluating public information, educational, marketing and promotional activities and programs for the bond. 
• Demonstrate resourcefulness and judgment in the analysis and solution of difficult and technical public relations problems; navigate through specialized software applications, computer programs and online platforms; plan, organize and coordinate programs while efficiently managing resources; evaluate programs and policies; implement best practices when feasible; speak effectively in public; write effectively for publication; prepare complete, accurate, concise public relations data; and select the proper medium for the most effective news coverage. 
• Ability to develop and implement a robust internal communications plan to address patient and staff impacts of bond projects throughout the ZSFG campus.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic communications to keep media and other external audiences informed of construction impacts, project milestones, and project accomplishments including opening and/or launching new facilities (clinics, health centers, patient rooms, etc.)  from the work of the 2016 Public Health and Safety Bond programs.
• Ability to develop or coordinate the development of original content for ZSFG and DPH social media channels, websites, public relations materials, etc. (photos, video, etc.) and project signage to promote key milestones in bond projects using office automation and software applications, including but not limited to email software (ie: MailChimp, Emma), Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint); and layout and design software, such as Adobe Suite.
• Ability to develop and implement strategic communications to keep media and other external audiences informed of construction impacts, project milestones, and project accomplishments including opening and/or launching new facilities from the work of the 2016 Public Health and Safety Bond programs.
• Ability to understand complex concepts and translate them into clear and compelling narratives. 
• Experience working with diverse audiences and developing multilingual and multicultural programs. 
• Ability to write press releases and pitch media coverage of bond project initiatives, milestones and activities with earned media; facilitate media interviews with staff; prepare key messages and talking points; assist with press conference set up, respond to media questions; and perform other essential media duties as needed. 
• Address civic organizations, neighborhood associations, and others to explain activities and construction schedules, project timelines, and impacts to the local neighborhoods where bond projects occur. 
• Meet with all appropriate SFDPH and Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG) hospital leadership to advise of public relations implications from the work of the bond
• Investigate and resolve complaints directed at the 2016 Public Health and Safety Bond projects’ operations; recommend corrective action to preclude further adverse action or opinion; and track complaints, whether from staff or the public
• Organize tours and orientation sessions for staff, the media, visiting dignitaries, trade representatives and the general public
• Assist in writing, designing and producing collateral materials including signage, posters, brochures, and presentations that relay bond project information in an easy to understand format for outreach tasks and special events

What else should I know?

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Select the “I’m Interested” button located at the top right of this page. Then, follow the directions on the screen.

All work experience, education, training, and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a city and county of San Francisco completed application for this position or any position.

Additional information regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

COVID-19 Policies
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Medical Examination Prior to Hiring
Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Licensure/Certification/Registration
Note on ICARE
Other Conditions of Employment and Important Information
Information About the Hiring Process
Conviction History
Employee Benefits Overview
Equal Employment Opportunity
Disaster Service Worker
ADA Accommodations
Veteran's Preference
Seniority Credit in Promotional Examinations
Right to Work
Copies of Application Documents
Diversity Statement

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact Diane Zhou at diane.zhou@sfdph.org or (628) 271-6703.

All of your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:  All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.