Career Opportunity

1312-Public Information Officer

Recruitment: RTF0137325-01139882

Published: July 26, 2023

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

About:

The Department of Building Inspection oversees the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of City building, housing, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and disability access codes for San Francisco’s more than 200,000 buildings.  Position is located on 49 South Van Ness.

Role description

Reporting to the Communications Director, the Public Information Officer plays a central role communicating to the public, the media, and the Department of Building Inspection’s customers and stakeholders. The incumbent will develop and manage communications for compliance programs, service marketing, media engagement, public records responses, online outreach, and public meetings.

The successful candidate will have strong integrity and critical thinking skills with experience using innovative strategies to creatively engage audiences and explain complex processes with simple, easy-to-follow language, instructions, and narratives. The role requires excellent research, writing, and project management skills, and an ability to both methodically plan ahead and react quickly, accurately and thoroughly in a dynamic environment.

Core responsibilities include:  Developing and implementing the department’s social media strategy and video marketing program, managing direct mail programs and website updates, administering Sunshine Ordinance requests, facilitating media outreach and response, compiling news clips, organizing public events and forums, and documenting communications processes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Develop and implement social media strategy
2. Process and track Sunshine Ordinance requests
3. Draft media outreach materials, research responses to media inquiries, and compile and distribute media clips
4. Draft and post website updates
5. Manage direct mail outreach programs
6. Draft, produce and edit video communications and advertising
7. Organize and facilitate events, Public Advisory Forums, and all-staff meetings
8. Conduct research around departmental operations, permitting, inspections and other topics as needed for media relations, community outreach, and customer marketing
9. Produce the department’s annual report and other internal and external materials
10. Document communications processes and propose improvements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Current and emerging communication tools and platforms; departmental activities and programs, and effective public information and publicity principles and techniques.

Ability to: Exercise creativity, resourcefulness and judgment in the analyses of public information problems and selection of the proper medium for the most effective coverage of functions and activities of the department; deal honestly, courteously, effectively and tactfully with others; write effectively for publication; speak persuasively in public; prepare complete, accurate, concise public relations and marketing data and materials; organize, plan, schedule, implement and coordinate tasks or events; utilize computer applications, software and technology platforms in support of public relations and outreach.

How to qualify

These minimum qualifications establish the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications (i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public relations, journalism, English, mass communications, public administration, public policy or a related field.

Experience:

Two (2) years of professional experience in public affairs, public information, editorial, newspaper, magazine, radio, television, public relations social media, digital engagement, advertising or similar work involving collection and dissemination of news and information wherein the preparation or direction of informational material for mass media on the development of public information program was a major part of the position.

License and Certification:

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 one (1) year of the required experience.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Nature of Work: Some positions may be subject to adverse weather conditions, walking long distances, and driving a vehicle to project sites and meetings. May require work on nights, weekends and/or holidays.

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.

What else should I know?

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Job class: 1312 - Public Information Officer
Starting salary range: $89,778 - $109,096 
Role type: Permanent Exempt What does this mean?
Hours: Full-time

Information about the Hiring Process: click here

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact the analyst, Yvonne Lin, by email at yvonne.lin@sfgov.org. 

Filing Deadline: Interested Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as this announcement may close on August 11, 2023.

General Information concerning City and County of San Francisco Employment Policies and Procedures:
Important Employment Information for the City and County of San Francisco can be obtained at http://www.sfdhr.org/index.aspx?page=20 or hard copy at 1 South Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor.

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.