Public Information Specialist Senior

Job Description:

Public Information Specialist Senior

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity.
• Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:
None.
Notes to Applicants
Position Overview:
The Financial Services Department is seeking a Public Information Specialist Senior to fill an important role responsible for supporting media inquiries and outreach, public engagement, and communications. The position will lead and collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver marketing and communications strategies that engage with the community to promote financial services. The position designs and manages content for Financial Services Department newsletters, social media, websites, media and marketing materials. The position will promote and organize stakeholder engagement sessions, outreach activities, and large-scale events. The position may also coordinate with stakeholders to produce videos that will provide departments and/or the public with information about financial services.

The ideal candidate will have strong communication skills, will be creative and innovative, and will have a strong interest in delivering solutions that improve residents’ access to and understanding of city financial services. The position may include a combination of working remotely and at designated worksites.

Who We Are:
Our department provides a variety of financial services and programs. The Financial Services Department ( FSD ) serves residents, vendors, and City departments.

Our mission is to serve as a trusted steward of public resources with integrity and accountability to ensure a fiscally sound city.

Our staff supports a wide variety of financial processes, including preparing the annual budget and annual fiscal report, procurement processes, franchise agreements, real estate transactions, and overseeing the City’s investment portfolio and debt management.

As an internal support function within the larger City organization, FSD is proud to serve and act as a leader in financial management to its partner departments.

Click here to read more about us online!

Why Join Us?

Meaningful Work
Contribute to projects that improve the lives of the people in our community.

Innovation and Collaboration
Collaborate with diverse and talented teams, leveraging technology, continuous improvement, and best practices to drive progress in a variety of financial programs.

Professional Growth and Development
Achieve your professional goals. FSD offers opportunities to advance in multiple career paths, as well as a wide variety of learning opportunities.

Work-Life Balance
Enjoy a balanced lifestyle in a city renowned for its quality of life, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences.

Hybrid Work Environment
The City of Austin Flexible Work Arrangement Program is designed to empower employees and leaders to establish hybrid work arrangements that promote high levels of performance and engagement. Staff may be eligible to telework up to 60%/week. Work schedules are implemented to meet department requirements and are subject to change based on business needs.

Health and Wellness

The City of Austin is committed to providing cost-effective, sustainable benefits that assist employees in being physically and mentally well. For employees that are covered, this includes low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more.

Click here to review the City of Austin’s Employee Benefits Guide .

Click here to watch a short City of Austin Employment Video .

Application Details:

• A detailed, complete COA employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine your salary if you are selected for this position.
• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• For each position, please describe your specific experience as it relates to the minimum and preferred qualifications.
• A cover letter is required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.
• A résumé is also required but will not substitute for a complete COA employment application.
• When completing the City of Austin employment application, the work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview.

Additional Details:

• The Financial Services Department may close this job posting at any time after it has been advertised for seven (7) days, please apply as soon as possible if interested.
• This position may require a skills assessment.
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED equivalent, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees, will be required.
• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
• If you are selected as the top candidate for a position, we may contact your current and former employer, as well as the references listed in your application. Please be sure you have listed at least 3 previous supervisors in the application with correct contact information.
• If you are identified as a top military candidate or a veteran, you must provide a copy of your DD-214.

Travel:

If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

90 Day Provision for Additional Vacancy:

When the same or an additional vacancy occurs within a department in the same job title within 90 days after the start date of the top candidate, the hiring department may offer the additional position to another candidate from the same candidate pool.

Pay Range
$32.23 - $40.29
Hours
Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Telework opportunities may be available after an initial training period. Work schedules are implemented to meet the requirements of the department and are subject to change based on business needs.

Staff eligible to telework must be in the office for at least 40% of their scheduled work week.
Job Close Date 03/13/2025 Type of Posting External Department Financial Services Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience investigating and responding to media inquiries for local, state and/or federal government.
• Experience developing innovative and equitable communications and collateral using software such as the Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar applications.
• Experience planning, promoting, and advertising community outreach and events to diverse audiences.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Works on assignments that are complex in nature where considerable judgment and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations. Primary responsibility for larger individual projects or act as an account representative for client departments and programs. Develops long-range strategic plans. Writes plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and edits articles for publication in a variety of forms, including electronic publication. Coordinates all aspects of production of marketing materials. Performs media relations duties to include: media buying, news releases, and fielding questions from media. Coordinates public relations duties to include: public and school education, presentations, tours of public facilities, and requests for information from the general public. Designs, researches, writes and edits newsletters and releases for internal or external use. Produces public service announcements and videos for promotional use.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

May train and lead others.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of public information, marketing, public relations, media relations programs.
• Knowledge of the functions and organization of municipal government, to include the relationships between departments, divisions and agencies.
• Knowledge of the principles associated with the role of meeting the necessary standards of customer service.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to interpret policies and guidelines.
• Ability to write articles for publication.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to lead and train others.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires Graduation from an accredited four (4) college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity. Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications referenced above. Detail how you meet the educational requirements (if applicable), account for the years of related experience (if applicable), and explain any substitutions of experience for education, or vice-versa (if applicable)
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).

* Describe your experience investigating and responding to media inquiries for local, state and/or federal government.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience developing innovative and equitable communications and collateral using software such as the Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar applications.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience planning, promoting, and advertising community outreach and events to diverse audiences. Please indicate in your response the specific position(s) on your application where you obtained this experience and how many years of experience you have.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to more than one work location?

• Yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents