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Home My WebLink About2.297 PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 20250129PART I DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES COUNTY OF KAUAI 2.297 Class Specifications for the Class: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER SR-24, BU-13 Duties Summary: Plans, develops, and conducts public information activities for the Office of the Mayor, Police Department, Fire Department, Civil Defense Agency, or Department of Water; maintains effective working relationships with media representatives, community groups, and public and private sector stakeholders; and performs other related duties as required. Distinguishing Characteristics: This class is distinguished by its responsibility for conducting public information activities for the Office of the Mayor, a public safety agency (e.g., Police, Fire, or Civil Defense), or a public utility. These activities involve highly sensitive and controversial programs that address current issues and challenges. Examples of Duties: (The following are examples of duties and are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in this class. The omission of specific duties statements does not preclude management from assigning such duties if such duties are a logical assignment for the position). • Plans, develops, and executes the public information program for the Office of the Mayor or for a public safety agency or a public utility; • Determines choice of media and methods for disseminating information; • Writes news releases, articles, bulletins, and speeches; • Responds to complaints and recommends or refers them to appropriate agencies; • Speaks before government, business, and other community groups; • Plans layout and design and arranges for printing of informational materials; • Plans and designs or assists with exhibits and demonstrations for public display; • Designs and maintains social media sites and departmental or County websites, and revises and updates as needed; PART I PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 2 2.297 • Develops and sets up an informational FAQ page; • Coordinates logistics, schedules, and may facilitate press conferences for the Mayor and Staff or departmental press conferences; assists in securing restricted areas; • Establishes and maintains effective relationships with the press, radio and television and other community organizations; • Plans, lays out and coordinates the publication of internal newsletters and the annual report; • Keeps abreast of communication and social media technology and practices; modifies departmental programs to improve its effectiveness; and • Performs other administrative staff assignments as required. Knowledge of: Principles and practices of public relations; publicity methods and media; principles and techniques used in writing informational material; techniques used in preparing and editing copy for printing; local government organization, functions, and operations. Ability to: Write and speak effectively; secure, evaluate, and present facts accurately and concisely; prepare clear and concise reports; work well with people; communicate effectively with the media and various segments of the public; plan and administer information programs. This is an amendment to the specification for the class PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, which was approved on July 15, 1988, retitled and amended to DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RESPONSE on December 2, 2022, retitled and amended to PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER on January 16, 2003, amended on April 15, 2019 and June 2, 2022, and is to be substituted for that specification. Approved: January 29, 2025 (date) ANNETTE L. ANDERSON Director of Human Resources PART II DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES COUNTY OF KAUAI 2.297 Minimum Qualification Specifications for the Class: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER SR-24, BU-13 Training and Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from a college or university with a baccalaureate degree in journalism, public relations, communications, public administration, or a related field; and • Four (4) years of specialized work experience. Qualifying specialized work experience: Professional work experience in one or a combination of the following: public relations, journalism, or communications. Substitutions Allowed: The following may be substituted for education: General professional work experience or education credits can be substituted for up to four (4) years of the Bachelor’s degree such as: A. Full-time progressively responsible professional, technical, or substantive work experience demonstrating the scope, level, and quality of work comparable to a curriculum leading to an Associate’s, Bachelor's, or Master’s degree. B. Successful completion of semester credits in a curriculum leading to a degree or diploma at an accredited community college, trades school, college, or university (15 semester credits = 6 months of experience). A Master’s or PhD degree may be substituted for the education requirement. The following may be substituted for experience: A. Successful completion of semester credits specific to journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field leading towards a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the specialized work experience requirement (i.e. 15 semester credits = 6 months). B. Successful completion of semester credits specific to journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field leading towards a Master’s, or PhD degree from an PART II PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 2 2.297 accredited college or university, may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the specialized work experience requirement (i.e. 15 semester credits = 6 months). C. A Master’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the specialized work experience requirement. D. A Doctorate’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the specialized work experience requirement. If a degree is used to substitute for the education requirement, it may not be used again towards the experience requirement. If work experience is used to substitute for education, it may not be used again to meet the experience requirement. If the applicant holds more than one degree, transcripts must be provided, and a thorough review will be conducted by the human resources staff in order for more than one degree to be credited towards the minimum qualification requirements. Additional degrees can be considered if obtained independently through mutually exclusive classes from another degree being considered. Substitutions will be used to the advantage of the applicant. Quality of Experience: Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that he/she has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which he/she is being considered. License Requirement: Possession of the appropriate licenses or certificates as required of the position. Selective Certification: Specialized knowledge, skills and abilities may be required to perform the duties of some positions. For such positions, Selective Certification Requirements may be established, and certification may be restricted to eligibles who possess the pertinent experience and/or training required to perform the duties of the position. Agencies requesting Selective Certification must show the connection between the kind of training and/or experience on which they wish to base selective certification and the duties of the position to be filled. Tests: Applicants may be required to qualify on an appropriate examination. PART II PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 3 2.297 Health and Physical Condition Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations. Physical Effort Grouping: Light This is an amendment to the specification for the class PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, which was approved on July 15, 1988, retitled and amended to DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RESPONSE on December 2, 2022, retitled and amended to PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER on January 16, 2003, amended on April 15, 2019 and June 2, 2022, and is to be substituted for that specification. Approved: January 29, 2025 (date) ANNETTE L. ANDERSON Director of Human Resources