Quick Links              --------------------- Airport/Sky Harbor City Jobs Departments A-Z Garbage/Recycling Mayor/City Council Online Services Public Meetings Public Safety What's New Mailing Lists Calendar

	Discover Phoenix	Residents	Businesses	City Government	Employment	Youth & Seniors	e-Services	Home

Job Description

DEPUTY PUBLIC INFORMATION DIRECTOR

(Unclassified)

JOB CODE 06410

Effective Date:	07/03X

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this classification exists is to assist the Public Information Director in directing the activities of the Public Information Office. The incumbent has the authority to represent and exercise the special duties and responsibilities of the Public Information Director in his/her absence. The position serves as a central source of information about the City and as an official channel of communication between the City and the public. Supervision is exercised over professional public information staff and clerical staff. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Public Information Director with considerable independence, initiative, and latitude for the exercise of professional judgment. This class is distinguished from the Public Information Officer class by the greater independence with which work is performed, more responsibility for Citywide public information services, advising City management or elected officials on communication with the community, and overseeing the administrative and budget services for the Public Information Office. Work is evaluated on the basis of results achieved.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Oversees the administrative and budget services of the office;
• Consults with management on problems affecting organizational communications and in formulating policies which will strengthen community relations;
• Researches, develops, writes, and coordinates media campaigns for one or more departments;
• Coordinates public relations activities for City Council or one or more departments;
• Develops and coordinates the illustration and printing of publications;
• Prepares, reviews, and edits news conferences, releases, newsletters, publications, and scripts;
• Supervises the work of public information staff, including Public Information Officers;
• Counsels elected and appointed City officials concerning public relations aspects of policies, practices, procedures, programs, and actions;
• Researches, writes, photographs, and produces slide shows;
• Conceptualizes and co-produces videotapes about department programs;
• Participates in videotaped and telephone interviews with the media;
• Serves as a liaison between City officials, organizations, departments, and specific groups;
• Interprets the actions and opinions of City management to specific groups and the perceptions, opinions, and actions of specific groups to elected and appointed City officials;
• Researches attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of selected internal and external groups and reports that information to elected and appointed City officials;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• The principles, techniques, and objectives of public relations as applied to municipal government.
• Current English usage and journalistic styles, both print and broadcast.
• The regulations, procedures, and services of municipal departments and agencies.
• Principles and practices of effective administration.
• Graphic design principles, typography and layout techniques.
• Audio-visual equipment and its uses.

Ability to:

• Compose news articles, speeches, radio and television scripts, reports, and letters.
• Perform a broad range of supervisory responsibilities over others.
• Communicate orally in the English language with customers, clients, and the public in face-to-face, one-on-one and in group settings.
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Work cooperatively with others.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Comprehend and make inferences from written material in the English language.

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Employees in this classification who are skilled in a second language may be called upon to utilize that skill in the routine performance of their duties.
• Performs other essential or marginal functions as assigned.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Five years of responsible experience in journalism, mass media communications, or public relations, including one year of supervisory experience, and a bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass media communications, public relations, advertising, marketing, or a related field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.