Public Information Specialist Senior - Office of Sustainability
About Department & Opportunity
The Office of Sustainability’s mission is to protect and improve Austin’s quality of life now and for future generations by leading efforts to achieve net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions, a healthy and just local food system, and a climate resilient and adaptive city.
This Public Information Specialist Sr position provides information to the general public, City staff, and the media regarding Office of Sustainability programs and initiatives. These duties include, but are not limited to: 1) strategic planning and content development for digital communications, including web sites, social media, blog posts, and e-newsletters, 2) managing and executing graphic design assignments, and 3) responding to inquiries from community members and the media. This position works collaboratively with personnel from other City departments to achieve consistency in sustainability messaging and to cross-promote sustainability initiatives.
Strong candidates will demonstrate the following:
- Knowledge about sustainability issues and concepts or strong desire to learn
- Knack for storytelling and writing feature stories about people and sustainability-related topics
- Skill in understanding user experience when navigating websites, and managing web content accordingly
- Desire and ability to keep up with current and emerging social media practices, standards, tools, and trends
- Ability to thrive on a small team and work independently as well as with other City of Austin departments
Application Instructions:
When completing the City of Austin employment application:
The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history.
- Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
- A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job titles and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Describe your specific experience for each position. Include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates.
- A résumé is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please include contact information from previous employers.
If you are selected as a top candidate:
- Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
- And are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
An assessment(s) will be administered as part of the interview process.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of conservation, climate protection, and sustainability trends and communication strategies.
- Skill in designing and implementing successful social media campaigns and promotions, as well as advertising approaches.
- Experience in working positively with the media.
- Strong customer service mindset; listens and responds to public inquiries in a poised, respectful manner.
- Experience with Drupal web content management system, and skill in developing effective web content.
- Experience with Adobe Creative Suite and skill in executing graphic design for marketing and communications initiatives.
- Experience developing and implementing innovative and equitable engagement strategies to involve community groups, organizations and members of the public.
- Fluent in Spanish, in both written and oral communications
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.
1. 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.
2. Develops long-range strategic plans.
3. Writes plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and edits articles for publication in a variety of forms, including electronic publication.
4. Coordinates all aspects of production of marketing materials.
5. Performs media relations duties to include: media buying, news releases, and fielding questions from media.
6. Coordinates public relations duties to include: public and school education, presentations, tours of public facilities, and requests for information from the general public.
7. Designs, researches, writes and edits newsletters and releases for internal or external use.
8. 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.