PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER- 64029859

Requisition No: 847250 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER- 64029859

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64029859 

Salary:  $44,060 - $60,298 

Posting Closing Date: 03/02/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County.  If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place.  Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida.  We hope you decide to join our team!  Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County in its mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

JOB PURPOSE:

The incumbent will serve as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County (DOH-Pasco) under the supervision of the Health Education Program Manager.  The PIO will ensure that information is disseminated accurately, effectively and rapidly to the public through various media/communication venues. This role ensures that the DOH-Pasco is coordinated in its responses with other key community organizations in a timely manner.  This is a highly visible position in the community and in its role of carrying out the mission of the DOH-Pasco. The incumbent is tasked with assisting the Health Department in maintaining a positive image in the community and will be expected to work internally with division directors and externally with other organizations to ensure this is accomplished. Provide consultative services to DOH-Pasco Divisions/Offices and work groups on communication, public awareness, and marketing strategies that support DOH-Pasco objectives.

Media

• Serves as a DOH-Pasco spokesperson, to the media, stakeholders and residents.
• Establishes and maintains a positive working relationship with Pasco County general media.
• Coordinates interviews and briefs DOH-Pasco staff on public health topics, concerns and emergencies to respond to inquiries.
• Recommends media-related strategies during routine and/or crisis public health events.
• Coordinates press conferences, community information forums, social media etc.
• Monitors media output for accuracy of reporting on outbreaks and other public health emergencies.
• Identifies potential media concerns and advises appropriate leadership immediately.
• Conducts research and writes news releases to educate and inform residents of public health issues.
• Participates as a Public Information Officer of the Emergency Operations Media Team during activation.

Health Communications

• With staff, develop and implement department’s annual outreach/marketing plan to promote agency programs delivered through publications (newsletters/brochures), stories, reports, websites and media using techniques that best suit the target audience. Assists in maintaining department websites. Oversees all publications such as: brochures, posters, flyers etc…that are distributed to the community

• Participates in the review, development, research and design of DOH-Pasco marketing strategies including web pages, flyers, newsletters, pamphlets, posters etc.
• Assists in the development of and/or recommends public information strategies to educate residents regarding public health concerns and/or threats.
• Works to increase stakeholder awareness, understanding and support of DOH-Pasco mission and activities.
• Develop and promote and/or market health education materials and information that are accurate, culturally appropriate and educationally sound.
• Works with IT to keep DOH-Pasco website content up to date.

Collaboration

• Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with local community leaders including partner agencies, business, education, youth, health care, elected/appointed officials and public information officers. 
• Develops and maintains positive relationships with DOH-Pasco staff.
• Provides cross-divisional/departmental technical support for educational outreach efforts and public health social marketing initiatives.

• Participates in interdisciplinary teams at DOH-Pasco and assists in the development of and/or recommends public information strategies to educate residents regarding public health concerns and/or threats.

PMQI/Administrative

• Prepares weekly/annual reports when needed
• Gather, organize and maintain data and information needed for reports, program monitoring, evaluation and improvement.
• Coordinates strategic planning efforts with supervisors and managers to gather, organize and maintain data and information needed for reports, program monitoring, evaluation and improvement.
• Participates in the internal Performance Management Council, Strategic Planning, Workforce Development and Quality Improvement meetings.
• Helps supervisor to develop, monitor and report progress on PMQI activities quarterly.

Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of public health roles and responsibility to the public
• Ability to develop planning documents within the prescribed format
• Ability to provide effective and timely risk communication
• Ability to develop informational programs materials

• Possess excellent verbal and written skills;
• Able to elicit the professional confidence and cooperation of others;
• Able to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with program contacts, agencies and other community groups, that provides services to the public;
• Have good management and organizational skills;
• Able to collect and analyze information and make appropriate recommendations; and,
• Familiar with the concepts of risk communication methods, assessment and evaluation.

Qualifications:

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree or higher or have at least four or more years of equivalent work experience.

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:

7509 State Road 52

Hudson, FL 34667

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;
• Paid Parental Leave;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental,vision, and other supplemental insurance options;

Your take home pay can be significantly influenced by your insurance premiums.  Compare your current premium with the State of Florida employee premiums!

• Monthly employee premium for the standard PPO/HMO:
• Single coverage is $50
• Family coverage is $180
• Monthly employee premium for the High Deductible Health Plan PPO/HMO:
• Single coverage is $15
• Family coverage is $64.30

• 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, 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. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check. 

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.

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.