Job Description

The Public Information Officer reports directly to the DPH Director of Communications and makes recommendations to the Director of Communications or to the Communications Manager.

Public health is in the midst of transformation. While COVID-19 and the citywide pandemic response have expanded the need for public health information and outreach, the pandemic has also amplified overlapping public health crises in overdose deaths, mental health and substance use disorders that also require urgent action. At the same time, the public, media and policy makers have increased expectations around communication, timely access to information, demonstration of data-driven outcomes, and quality of care. The Department of Public Health needs up-to-date, responsive and clear information to equitably serve all San Franciscans, and to continue to distribute information to our clients, all San Franciscans who use our services, and all San Francisco residents and visitors.

The Public Information Officer will work directly within the DPH Communications Team to ensure that it provides the necessary support and communications guidance, identifying appropriate channels for dissemination of information and assisting with the production of communications material that may need coordination with other City departments and partner organizations. The Public Information Officer will perform the following essential duties:

• Participate in the development and execution of public information campaigns to support that support a range of topics that include public and community health, environmental health, overdose response, mental health and substance use services, among others. Work on all aspects of campaigns, from planning, information gathering, message development, collaborating with other City agencies and with community organizations, writing campaign documents, staffing presentations and community meetings, conducting press conferences and writing press releases and public materials.
• Formulate, prepare and distribute content for the department programs including, publicity releases for print, broadcast, and online media; presentations and talking points for community meetings and events; social media, blog, newsletter content and departmental websites. Edit marketing and communications collateral and content.
• Maintain effective communication and information sharing with DPH divisions and program leads. Process complex issues and create easily digestible public facing materials.
• Maintain a master content/event/ milestone/campaign calendar and provide timely and accurate reports for communications content.
• Support the management of public records requests. Coordinate and respond to detailed requests by gathering information within deadline from throughout the Department and coordinating as needed with other departments.
• Internal communications. Responsible for collecting and providing content for internal Department communications, including: guidance for City employees, guidance for health workers, guidance for partner organizations, highlighting internal events and milestones, building morale, and identifying ways the Department can demonstrate high-level compliance to set a standard for other Departments and City employees to follow.
• Attends meetings of the commission, executive staff and division programs; Reports on the discussions involved, highlighting issues, communications, or proactive outreach that may need to occur.

Positions in Class 1312 Public Information Officer may perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

_ Minimum Qualifications (required):_

Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public relations, journalism, English, mass communications, public administration, public policy or a related field; AND

Experience: Two (2) years of professional experience in public affairs, public information, editorial, newspaper, magazine, radio, television, public relations social media, digital engagement, advertising or similar work involving collection and dissemination of news and information wherein the preparation or direction of informational material for mass media on the development of public information program was a major part of the position.

Substitution:

• Additional experience as described above may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis (up to a maximum of 2 years). Thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units equal one year.
• Possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in public relations, journalism, mass communications or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at here.

One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above 40 hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment.

** Note:** Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

Desirable Qualifications: The stated desirable qualifications may be considered at the end of the selection process when candidates are referred for hiring.

• Proficiency in Spanish, Cantonese and/or Mandarin languages is highly desired
• Demonstrated success with media relations (press releases, press conferences, response to inquiries and breaking news, pitching stories)
• Experience with communications planning and message development
• Experience with public information campaign development and support (including digital platforms)
• Ability to develop and execute external public relations and communication programs including media, stakeholders, and community members and organizations
• Ability to develop and execute internal communications, including DPH publications and materials to share pandemic updates and citywide reopening news and information with staff (e.g. Director’s Report, Director’s Messages, website copy)
• Knowledge of public health principles, including the incorporation of equity as a priority
• Experience in message development, strategy and preparation for presentations, interviews, events
• Demonstrated experience working in a complex environment with several cross-functional teams.
• Successful at translating technical information for a lay audience (e.g. clinical guidance, legal health orders)
• Well organized and diligent, able to multi-task and adjust to shifting priorities.
• Experience representing an organization by attending meetings and conferences
• Ability to supervise the design and production of publicity for departmental activities

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit careers.sf.gov and begin the application process.

Our e-mail communications may come from more than one department so please make sure your email is set to accept messages from all of us at this link.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment therefore, it is their responsibility to contact the Analyst if they update their email address.

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

DPH Health Critical Requirements and Information: Please review the following policies regarding DPH employment requirements that safeguard yourself and others.

• COVID-19 Policies
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Medical Examination Prior to Hiring
• Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Licensure/Certification/Registration
• Note on ICARE

Additional information regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information about the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Workers
• Reasonable Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please contact Diane Zhou at diane.zhou@sfdph.org or (628) 271-6703.

We may use text messaging to communicate with you on the phone number provided in your application. The first message will ask you to opt in to text messaging.

_ CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:_ All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Someone is fully vaccinated when 14 days have passed since they received the final dose of a two-shot vaccine or a dose of a one-shot vaccine. Any new hire must present proof of full vaccination status to be appointed. Any new hire who will be routinely assigned or occasionally enter High-Risk Settings, must provide proof of having received a COVID-19 booster vaccine by March 1, 2022, or once eligible.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.