PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - 64003032

Requisition No: 842060 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - 64003032

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64003032 

Salary:  $48,000.00 to $50,830.78 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 12/10/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Job Posting Category:  Open Competitive

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This professional position will serve in multiple capacities for the implementation of projects and initiatives for the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County.  This position is a Public Information Specialist II that will serve in the role of health planner and communications professional to improve community health and customer satisfaction.  The incumbent in this position will function as Public Information Officer (PIO) and will serve as the point of contact in all communication matters and information dissemination for both internal and external customers.

This position will also lead internal agency workforce development projects, will assist and participate in specific assigned activities related to building and maintaining relationships with community partners, attend multiple community meetings and outreach events, implementation and evaluation of multiple initiatives and participate in activities designed to promote healthy behaviors, including but not limited to contributing to sustaining a culture of quality improvement and sustaining Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). This full-time position is under supervision of the Director of Community Health Planning, Promotion, and Communication and must be able to work independently.

Public Information / Communication

• Will serve as Public Information Officer (PIO) for Charlotte, for both emergency and non-emergency events, which may require communication outside regular office hours
• Prepare press releases
• Field media inquiries
• Conduct media training and protocols for staff
• Report local accomplishments to State office, including photos as appropriate
• Create and distribute monthly internal program updates newsletter; assist with finding and/or developing content for employee bulletin boards
• Proactively work with senior leadership and program managers to develop and execute public communication strategies to promote public health messaging and local services, including developing and deploying core campaigns (e.g., flu prevention, Drain and Cover, and summer safety)
• Advise and assist staff on appropriate ways to communicate information to the public including assisting with writing, editing, designing, enhancing, researching, and producing public and media information materials (including departmental reports) using a variety of formats including print, electronic, audio, and video 
• Participate in community outreach events and serve as spokesperson on a wide variety of public health topics
• Prepare and distribute internal and external health education materials, including reports, bulletins, displays, and multimedia content
• Collaborate and train with county PIO team for emergency events
• Review and update the agency policies and procedures as assigned
• Establish and maintain relationships with representatives of state, community, and public interest groups
• Coordinate with Administrator on all public speaking and community engagement efforts to include developing a calendar of events, developing talking points, assisting with developing and/or editing PowerPoint presentations, coordinating any needed equipment and/or materials, and taking photographs as appropriate
• Lead Communications Workgroup; Serve as a resource for staff regarding department public information and communications policies and procedures
• Responsible for meeting all PHAB (accreditation) requirements related to communications and public information
• Design and write content for DOH-Charlotte Annual Report, and other documents, reports, and publications as requested (prefer use of Adobe Creative Suite for professional-looking documents)
• Design, distribute, collect, and analyze results of surveys (to include customers feedback surveys and community surveys among others to meet PHAB requirements and to aid in the development of the Community Heath Assessment, Employee Recognition Programs and others as requested)
• Provide content management of:
  • DOH-Charlotte website
  • Internal SharePoint site
  • Healthy Charlotte County website
  • Healthy Charlotte County social media pages - create, schedule, analyze, and engage
  • mySidewalk dashboard

Workforce Development

• Lead the DOH-Charlotte Workforce Development Workgroup in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Workforce Development Plan
• Coordinate the design, distribution, and analysis of surveys to gather employee feedback and participate in all staff meeting exercises, and other means of employee engagement, as required
• Ensure that the plan is in compliance with all accreditation requirements
• Identify and coordinate trainings to address competency areas that need most improvement 
• Serve as in-house training coordinator for other agency training opportunities

Other Duties:

• Lead and assist in various trainings and exercises as assigned
• Work with supervisors identifying opportunities for quality improvement and participate in Quality Improvement (QI) initiatives.
• Maintain contact and asset list (partners, media, community sectors, county departments, etc.) 
• Provide public health information in a culturally competent, linguistically appropriate manner to improve health outcomes and Health Equity
• Participate in workgroups, team meetings, in-services, and trainings that support professional development
• Assist and participate in the budget process in collaboration with supervisor
• Cross-train to serve as backup to other departments as needed
• Support Strategic Planning efforts by participating in Strategic Planning workshops and exercises
• Attend trainings to further professional career
• Other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to take initiative in performing current job duties and taking on duties of greater responsibility
• Skill in oral and written communication, including the ability to draft, proof, and construct professional documents and correspondence using contemporary business standards
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Windows-based business software applications including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Publisher
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask and manage multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others including the ability to effectively manage conflict
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Courtesy: Treats customers, the public and staff with courtesy and respect and, presents a positive public image
• Communication: Keeps supervisor fully informed of activities, pertinent issues, upcoming events, and potential problems. Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills in daily work.
• Teamwork: Supports the goals of the unit, department, and organization and works with others in an effort to accomplish the organization’s mission
• Safety: Adheres to established safety procedures and practices in the work area
• Information Security & Privacy: Maintains client confidentiality in accordance with DOH policies and procedures by complying with information Security & Privacy policies, protocols, and procedures. Reports all suspected violations of information security within 24 hours to supervisor

Qualifications:

• A valid Florida driver’s license is required
• A bachelor’s degree from a U.S. accredited college or university is preferred

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in journalism, communications, marketing or relevant field from a U.S accredited college or university is preferred
• A minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in public health, public sector, public information, marketing, and/or communications is preferred
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite software (i.e., InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop) is preferred
• Certification in G-290 Basic Public Information Officer Training, G-291 Joint Information System/Center Planning for Tribal, Local and State PIOs, or Advanced Public Information Officer Training is preferred
• Fluency in Spanish or Haitian/Creole is preferred

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:

Port Charlotte, FL

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.

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.