Public Information Specialist, (B251230-1), 209, Public Information Office

h2About the Department/h2pResearches, documents, prepares, and distributes written and oral communications; communicates news of city programs, events, accomplishments, and services to various internal and external audiences; and produces web and social media content. Collaborates with the department manager on communication strategies, including the development and implementation of communications plans for specific projects. Measures and evaluates output and outcomes from communications goals and objectives. Located in the Communications Division of the City Manager's Office, the Administrative Assistant II performs responsible staff work, manages varies assignments in relieving a high-level administrator of administrative detail. Performs a variety of administrative staff assignments which may not follow a prescribed routine, but rather, consist of general assignments to relieve the administrator of administrative detail and other matters not requiring the administrator's personal attention./ph2Position Duties/h2pstrongESSENTIAL DUTIES amp; RESPONSIBILITIES/strongpemThe intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description./em/pul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liProvides specialized assistance in the production and delivery or communications and multimedia products and services, including research, writing, script and speech writing, reporting, photography, scouting, setting up for media interviews, video production, social media management, marketing and other services./liliIdentifies and selects appropriate and relevant excerpts of speeches, statements, and interviews for voice-over processing./liliCoordinates translation/adaptation of scripts, the recording of narration,nbsp;the preparation of electronic titles and graphics, etc./liliAssists in maintaining and updating the City of Laredo's Communications web page and social media platforms by drafting, editing, and moderating multimedia content./liliAssists with financial requisitions./liliMaintains records and filing system./liliProvides guidance and training to junior staff./liliCoordinates and participates in special projects as directed by the City Manager; reviews policies and procedures as directed; interprets guidelines and disseminates information./liliConducts research on an assigned subject; compiles administrative data and statistics; and secures material for use in preparation of speeches or reports; prepares the presentation, speeches, and reports./liliAnalyzes procedures and recommends improvements./liliAssists supervisors in development of new programs or procedures./liliSupervises and participates in the administrative and clerical operations of a departmental office; conducts staff interviews and recommends hires; plans, schedules, and assigns work to staff; establishes priorities; instructs and trains in correct methods; checks and approves work./liliSupervises and participates in the production of departmental records, reports, billings, legal documents, statistical reports, handbooks, list data bases and files, general and other correspondence, etc./liliProvides input during annual performance evaluation by the review and inspection of subordinates work to ensure accuracy and completeness of the same./liliReviews, analyzes, and assists in the preparation of the departmental budget; provides recommendations to the department directors regarding budget adjustments, monitors division account balances, and processes budget transfers as necessary./liliCoordinates and monitors purchasing procedures to ensure proper funds are charged; verifies, estimates, and recommends purchases; processes purchase orders and maintains purchase contracts./liliPrepares or edits annual or other periodic reports, news releases, and special articles./liliConducts and attends staff meetings to resolve operating or personnel issues and to discuss changes in departmental policy and procedures./liliWill be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use./liliPerforms other duties as assigned./li/ulbrp id="isPasted"strongCOMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES/strong/pstrongKnowledge of:/strongbrulliKnowledge of policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production, and dissemination of public information./liliKnowledge of news and media production workflow./liliKnowledge of video recording and production equipment./liliKnowledge of public and business administration as it relates to the functions, needs, policies, laws, ordinances, and regulations, governing the City./liliKnowledge of the basic principles of budgetary accounting, personnel, administration, and purchasing./liliKnowledge of modern office administration, methods, procedures, and equipment./liliKnowledge of methods and practices of assembling, analyzing, and presentingnbsp;statistical data./liliKnowledge of laws, ordinances, and policies governing departments./li/ulstrongSkills and Abilities:/strongbrulliAbility to product short videos for communications projects and public safety campaigns./liliAbility to research and gather information from a variety of sources./liliAbility to work either with a team or alone./liliAbility to learn and work in a fast-paced environment; must work well under pressure./liliHave a great and professional attitude with both employees and clients./liliAbility to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental policies and procedures./liliAbility to investigate a variety of administrative problems and make recommendations as to their solutions and to prepare working procedures./liliAbility to analyze, appraise, and organize facts and evidence; present material clearly and logically in oral or written form./liliAbility to plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate the work of subordinates and attain cooperation, build consensus with co-workers./liliAbility to maintain good planning and organizational skills./liliAbility to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record./liliAbility to maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with other employees and respond to general public complaints./liliAbility to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language andnbsp;in the Spanish language./liliAbility to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo./liliAbility to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures./liliAbility to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position./li/ulp id="isPasted"strongWORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS/strong/pp id="isPasted"uPhysical Effort Requirements/unbsp;/ppPosition will have the following exposures/pul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liOffice or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards./liliExerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met./li/ulbrp id="isPasted"uWork Environment Locations/unbsp;/ppPosition will require the employee to work in the following types of work environmentsbrnbsp;brnbsp;Never/pul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liConfined spacenbsp;/liliWarehouse environment/li/ulpSeldom/pul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liConstruction site/li/ulp id="isPasted"nbsp;Sometimes/pul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liStreet environment (near moving traffic)/li/ulp id="isPasted"nbsp;Frequently/pul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liOutdoor environment/liliVehicles/li/ulp id="isPasted"nbsp;Often/pul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liOffice or similar indoor environment/li/ulbrp id="isPasted"uExposures/u/ppnbsp;Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements/ppNever/pul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liIndividuals with known violent backgrounds/liliExtreme cold (below 32 degrees)/liliExtreme heat (above 100 degrees)/liliCommunicable diseases/liliMoving mechanical parts/liliFumes or airborne particles/liliToxic or caustic chemicals or substances/liliLoud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)/li/ulp id="isPasted"Seldom/pul style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liIndividuals who are hostile or irate/li/ulbrp id="isPasted"uTravel/u/ppnbsp;Position will require the employee to travel/ppSeldom/pul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liInternational travel/li/ulp id="isPasted"Sometimes/pul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liRegional travel/liliNational travel/li/ulp id="isPasted"Frequently/pul type="disc" style="margin-bottom: 3pt;"liLocal travel/li/ul/ph2Minimum Qualifications/h2pstrongRequired Education and Experience/strongbrbrulliBachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, Journalism, Communication Studies, Film and Digital Media, or related field./liliAt least four (4) years of experience in public affairs, media relations, marketing, social media, journalism, communications, and/or public information./li/ulbrnbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp;*Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.)/ph2Other Qualifications/h2pstrongRequired Licenses or Certifications/strongbrnbsp; nbsp; nbsp;*Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.brbrstrongAs part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment./strongbrnbsp;brbrstrongEffective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment./strongbrnbsp;brbrstrongEffective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing./strongpbr/pp id="isPasted"strongCity of Laredo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and core values./strong/p/p