GREENWOOD COUNTY is currently recruiting for a highly qualified Public Information Officer (PIO) to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess a robust social media voice and a demonstrated social media presence. The Public Information Officer will function as the initial media point of contact for all information and interview requests and, when applicable, serve as the spokesperson for the County. The Public Information Officer will also assist County staff members with response to media requests, compile information, and write Greenwood County news releases for all departments, along with coordinating media events and press conferences to publicize County services and products. Additional responsibilities include editing, reviewing, and approving content from various departments before posting on the County website, attending all Greenwood County Council Meetings and committee meetings, and assisting any media in attendance. The Public Information Officer will also train and prepare for emergency situations and coordinate media during the activation of the County’s Emergency Operations Center.

Minimum Education, Training, and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, or related field from an accredited institution with applicable years of experience in media/public relations, social media management, content planning, and writing, preferably for a government entity or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Salary Range: $59,733.00 - $89,599.00 annually

The first review of applications will begin on November 10, 2022.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

General Description

The principal function is to act as the initial media point of contact for all information and interview requests and, when applicable, to be the spokesperson for the County. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of the Economic Development Director, but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other County employees, departmental/office heads, elected and appointed officials, outside agencies, community groups, members of the media, and the general public. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment and at various locations throughout the County.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Essential Functions:

• Acts as the initial point of contact at Greenwood County for media, coordinating and setting up interviews between media and appropriate staff.
• Assists County staff members with responses to media requests.
• Acts as County spokesperson when required.
• Compiles information and writes Greenwood County news releases for all departments and disseminates to media contacts.
• Coordinates media events and press conferences to publicize County services and projects.
• Edits material to be published by County departments and reviews and approves content from various departments prior to its posing on the County’s website.
• Researches and compiles information and talking points for speeches.
• Attends all Greenwood County Council meetings and Committee meetings and assists any media in attendance.
• Trains and prepares for emergency situations and coordinates media during activation of the County’s Emergency Operations Center.
• Monitors social media and reports to County Manager any issues or concerns.
• Coordinates all FOIA requests.
• Responds to questions, comments, and requests in a courteous, timely manner.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Prepares a quarterly external newsletter which is sent to industries, media, and other entities as determined by the management.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Coordinates internal communications between Administration, Department heads and County employees.
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.
• Reports to work during hazardous weather or emergency conditions.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive knowledge of social media outlets.
• Comprehensive knowledge of media/public relations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the operations, functions, policies, and procedures of Greenwood County Government.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the latest social media platforms and communication methods.

Skills:

• Skilled in communicating effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using technical and nontechnical language.
• Skilled in operating a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks.
• Skilled in operating video and still cameras and in editing resulting work.
• Skilled in writing press releases, newsletters, and presentations.
• Skilled in making public presentations before both large and small groups.

Abilities

• Able to effectively promote team and organization building, goal development, and project follow-through.
• Able to understand County projects and issues and to translate them into terms all members of the public can understand.
• Able to perform work with speed, accuracy, and attention to detail under tight deadlines.
• Able to work effectively with a disparate group of individuals and organizations.
• Able to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations.
• Able to exercise tact, discretion and sound judgement in addressing sensitive or confidential matters.
• Able to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Able to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions.
• Able to understand and follow oral and /or written policies, procedures and instructions.
• Able and willing to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Able to use integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Journalism, English or related field from an accredited institution; and
• 5 years of experience in media/public relations and writing, preferably for a government entity; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work; and
• Must obtain National Incident Management System training within six (6) months of date of hire.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to travel and work outside traditional office hours.

Essential Physical Demands

• Clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to communicate effectively.
• Vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to review a wide variety of written material in both electronic and hard copy.
• Manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to operate a personal computer and related equipment.
• Personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, to enable the employee to function within the general office environment and to travel to various locations throughout the County.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

Greenwood County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires Greenwood County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with ADA Coordinator.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $59,733.00 - $89,599.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: One location

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