PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - 64066649

Requisition No: 864689 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - 64066649

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64066649 

Salary:  $48,230.00 - $50,830.00 ANNUALLY 

Posting Closing Date: 11/21/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB POSTING

PENDING VACANCY

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This highly responsible Public Information Specialist position involves coordinating and assisting with a variety of communications and marketing efforts for the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Okaloosa County, working under the direct supervision of the Senior Management Analyst I-SES. Position works with the Office of Communications (COMMS) and all internal Okaloosa County Health Department (OCHD) program areas to ensure that information is disseminated accurately and effectively to outside organizations and the public. Duties and responsibilities are performed with strict adherence to all state and local policies, procedures and guidelines.

Position involves frequent communication with external audiences including members of the general public, outside organizations, community officials, and internal audiences such as department leadership, program managers or department staff. Identifies appropriate audiences and disseminates pertinent information on a variety of topics.

Administrative:

• Monitors the PIO mailbox, responds to or routes inquiries to the appropriate department or individual.
• Monitors and updates the local PIO Request tracking system to ensure requests are completed timely.
• Assists programs in obtaining vendor quotes for ad delivery by social media, billboards or other digital advertising methods. Provides technical guidance and product-related resources to programs to obtain quotes for print materials, promotional items, or other general items.
• Approves branding related purchase requests in the state procurement system, ensuring all purchases are made in accordance with department branding and content standards and all prior approvals have been obtained as required.
• Participates in ongoing or episodic projects to contribute subject matter knowledge and skills.
• Assists within the section on the coordination, logistics and production of materials for training events, staff activities and other functions.
• Services as back up for other applicable tasks/functions within the section as assigned by supervisor.

Marketing & Branding:

• Works collaboratively with OCHD program managers to develop, review and update marketing plans designed to promote department programs and services, community outreach initiatives and other public health messaging.
• Assists programs in designing/producing general branded content and materials including flyers, brochures, advertising content, etc. May coordinate utilization of COMMS for technical or specialized design requests.
• Facilitates COMMS or other approvals as required for all marketing campaigns, branded content/items or other materials.

Media:

• Receives and reviews all information requests received from media, responds to requests as appropriate or routes requests to COMMS or other appropriate local spokesperson.
• Produces press releases and other public information content, to be distributed to the media and the public as approved.
• Maintains and updates media contact lists as needed, establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with Okaloosa County general media.
• Monitor Department of Health and local media releases to keep leadership, supervisor and other key staff informed of emerging or potential concerns.
• Performs Public Information Officer duties as a part of the ESF-14 response team in emergency situations.

Internal and External Websites:

• Works collaboratively with local subject matter experts and the Web Management Team in maintaining the public OCHD website, ensuring accuracy, relevance and applicable approval of website content.
• Assists with maintaining the OCHD internal communication site (SharePoint), works collaboratively with program managers in developing and applying approved content or information to program specific areas, and works with the SharePoint Administration Team in accomplishing specialized site needs or resolving issues.

Quality Improvement:

• Participates in a variety of department-wide committees, teams and workgroups; attends meetings, participates in projects/activities and prepares meeting notes as directed.
• Represent the department on various boards, committees or advisory groups and attend department or community hosted events as directed.
• Completes/attends all state mandatory training and department-wide or position specific trainings or opportunities for applicable cross-training.
• Research new tools and resources to improve the quality and efficiency of the department’s communication, marketing and public information initiatives.
• Provides or facilitates training and development for department staff to improve communication skills.

Performs all other duties as assigned in support of the Agency’s mission and vision.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships between internal departments and external organizations
• Experience in coordinating logistics and materials for meetings or events
• Ability to disseminate technical information in a way that meets the needs of the intended audience(s)
• Ability to provide guidance and expertise to audiences with varying levels and diverse application of communication skills
• Experience working with equipment such as computers, printers and cameras
• Experience and proficiency in working with Microsoft Office/O365 applications (i.e., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, OneNote, SharePoint)
• Experience in or ability to learn website management systems
• Experience creating/designing a variety of general print or digital products (i.e., flyers, presentations, social media graphics or other relevant types of materials)
• Experience preparing and working with professional/official documents with a high degree of accuracy (i.e., Reports, informational documents, guides, or other official business documents)

Qualifications:

• Must maintain a valid U.S. Drivers’ License.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business or other field related to the functions of the position required. Work experience may be considered as substitute for degree requirement.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County

221 Hospital Drive NE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!
•  

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.