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Public Information Officer II (Office of the Director), Grade N25

August 22, 2023

Montgomery County is located adjacent to Washington, DC and with over one million residents, is the most populous County in the State of Maryland. The County is also the most diverse County in the State and ranks among the top ten most diverse Counties in the nation. Montgomery County contains many major U.S. government offices, scientific research and learning centers, and business campuses.

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for delivery of the County’s public health and human services that the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children, adults and seniors. The Department provides services through more than 120 programs at more than 20 locations. With over 2,000 employees, the Department of Health and Human Services is the largest County Department.

As a Department we believe health and wellness of the county can only be achieved by ensuring that every resident has fair opportunities to reach their fullest potential. This means access to quality housing, transportation, education, employment, health care, human services, safe neighborhoods and healthy food. HHS’ provides critical services for residents who face a variety of obstacles in achieving their full potential. HHS plays an essential role in building a healthy and strong community.

If you are interested in working for the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Public Information Officer position.

About the Position:

The Public Information Officer reports directly to the Department Director. The position oversees all aspects of the Department’s strategic communication efforts for internal and external audiences. The incumbent proactively keeps DHHS in the public’s eyes by promoting the department’s accomplishments in a variety of ways, proactively and reactively advises senior managers on high profile and sensitive issues and manages communication responses. The incumbent manages public relations, DHHS’s social media platforms, departmental and special-focus websites and DHHS’s brand and image.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Communications

Develop and prepare informational and promotional materials focused on the programs and services that DHHS provides to residents.
Serves as media relations point of contact for all DHHS programs and related issues (public health emergencies, and special initiatives such as opioid epidemic and unaccompanied children & families entering the U.S.).
Consult with program staff and produce print and electronic materials, including the planning and selection of information to be included, researching, writing and editing materials; serve as liaison with graphic designers, reviewing and editing the materials and the distribution of information/materials.
Social media engagement to include monitoring, moderating and responding to audience comments; manage social media partnerships with other County Departments and Agencies; and create and/or post shareable videos and images/graphics in collaboration with the staff from the Public Information Office.

Media Relations

Serve as the media spokesperson for the Department.
Promote story ideas to local and national media, develop and maintain relationships with local media outlets, train departmental staff on interacting with the media, connect media outlets to appropriate staff and manage the media contacts.
Develop talking points, quotes and other responses for staff responding to the media. Develop talking points/speeches for department representatives attending County and other press events.
Work closely with the County’s Public Information Office on requests for information and for assistance in distribution of press releases, media advisories and media statements.

Planning and strategic communications

As a member of the Department’s senior leadership team of the department, continually work to develop strategic initiatives to respond to the needs of the community.
Design and implement effective communication and public relations messages that articulate the County Executive’s and DHHS’ vision, mission, and strategic goals for helping residents be healthy, safe, and self-sufficient.

Website Management

Manages and guides the departmental website, by use of contract web designer, as well as webpages devoted to special initiatives.
Utilization of limited coding to post and update messages on the department website and accompanying webpages. Direct redesign of departmental website, beginning with Licensure & Regulatory Services.
Work daily with contract web designer and serve as liaison with program staff.
Provide content for webpages and ensure website content is up to date and user- friendly.

Additional Employment Information

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov . Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference .

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law : Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code . Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Three (3) years professional experience in communications, preferably with a nonprofit or government entity, and covering areas such as community and public relations, media relations, brand messaging, reputation management, social media and/ website content management.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Preferred Criteria

There is no Preferred Criteria . All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated Qualified, placed on the Eligible List, and may be considered for an interview.

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following: