Public Affairs Specialist

Salary: $45,126.00 Annually Location : Edinburg, TX Job Type: Grant Full Time Job Number: 2024-02643 Department: COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCY Opening Date: 11/25/2024 Closing Date: Continuous Work Hours:: Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 5:00PM Status:: External Advertisement Open Positions:: 1 Grade:: N/A Advertisement details and/or special instructions:: Knowledge of principles and practices of public relations, journalism, and mass communication. Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.Skills and proficienciency in photography and graphic design - including, but not limited to, framing, lighting and printing photographs or preparing photographs for print publications. Skills in design, editing and preparing publications for print. Please submit resume with application. General Description Under general direction, assists in public relation activities designed to provide County employees, citizens and area media with current information regarding all aspects of County operations; Supports Commissioners Court and County Departments in the areas of public information, media relations, and other communications services. Examples of Work Performed Performs substantial background research, writing, content development, fact-checking and editing for press releases, talking points, presentations, issues briefs, and other print, broadcast, and online publications Assists in responding to information requests and inquiries from media and the public Assists citizens and media during Commissioners Court and other public meetings Assists in planning and coordination of special events, press conferences, and other County activities Writes news releases, newsletters, information articles, legislative testimony, speeches, and other materials as assigned; distribution of information including posting and updating the County website, and the County's social media sites Designs and prepares for online or print publication newsletters, invitations, programs, special reports, advertisements, graphics, and other items as assigned Interacts with the Commissioners Court, elected officials, County departments, media, community and civic organizations, government and public organizations, private and business organizations and the general public Assists with Public Information Requests. This involves seeking responsive documents from departments, tracking the status of the requests, drafting responses to the requestor, interacting with departments and, possibly with legal counsel, and other duties as assigned Performs all other related duties involved as assigned or required Work in fast-paced, demanding environment to meet all deadlines Must be able to multi-task Must be able to stay late, work weekends or be on call as needed to complete deadline assignments and in emergency response situations Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Public Relations, Marketing or related field Experience involving public relations and writing for publications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience Two (2) years of related experience may be substituted for one (1) year of education Certificates, Licenses and Registration: Must have a current valid Texas motor vehicle operator's license Must be able to be insured by the County's insurance carrier Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of principles and practices of public relations, journalism, and mass communication Basic knowledge of local government, including Texas Open Records and Open Meetings laws and procedures Knowledge of marketing techniques and practices, including public opinion research techniques, methods, and tools Knowledge of AP Style for news writers Advanced skills and proficiency in photography and graphic design - including, but not limited to, framing, lighting and printing photographs or preparing photographs for print publications. Advanced skills in design, editing and preparing publications for print. Excellent written and verbal communication skills required, including proper grammar, spelling and punctuation Bilingual (Spanish and English) with the ability to converse fluently in both languages, preferred Ability to research, produce, fact-check, and edit for style and content written material on deadline Ability to enunciate and articulate well enough to speak to groups of people Ability to keep abreast of emerging issues, media trends, best practices High standards of excellence, tact, discretion, honesty, integrity and professionalism in internal and external communications Ability to use independent judgment and maintain confidentiality The County of Hidalgo offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. For more information, please Click Here 01 Do you have a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Public Relations, Marketing or related field? Yes No 02 Do you have experience involving public relations and writing for publications, or an equivalent combination of education and experience? Yes No Required Question