GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CONSULTANT III - 64002596

Requisition No: 837195 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CONSULTANT III - 64002596

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64002596 

Salary:  $49,584.67 - $59,500.00 

Posting Closing Date: 09/20/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - HILLSBOROUGH
DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CONSULTANT III (Public Information Officer)
1105 E. Kennedy Blvd, TAMPA, FL 33602

Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough 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.

Join an amazing company culture that values employee growth and development at the Florida Department of Health. Professional development is highly encouraged and supported within our organization through opportunities for mentorships and educational and skills training.  From the moment you are hired, you can begin to grow as a professional and a leader, through strategic planning, internal committees, and project engagement.  There are also many opportunities for continuing education at no cost to the employee.  If you are looking to further your education through a college degree, the Florida Department of Health can help with our tuition reimbursement program.  We offer an inspiring and encouraging atmosphere to support you while you work with us.  

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state. As a public health agency, the Florida Department of Health must monitor the health status of Floridians, diagnose, and investigate health problems, and mobilize local communities to address health-related issues. The Florida Department of Health develops policies and plans that support health goals, enforce laws and regulations that protect the health of all residents and visitors, and link people to needed health care services. The Florida Department of Health also provides specialized assistance to pregnant women, infants, and children with special health care needs, regulates health care practitioners, and provides medical disability determinations.

Title of Position: 
The incumbent is part of a public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough 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 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. The incumbent will serve as the public information officer for the Department of Health – Hillsborough. Plan, develop, implement and/or oversee strategies, policies, and procedures to promote the Department of Health and its initiatives within the community.  The PIO will ensure that messaging is coordinated (both internally and externally as appropriate) and accurate information is released in a timely manner.   This role includes writing press releases, serving as the spokesperson or coordinating subject matter experts for on-camera/live interviews with media outlets.   The PIO will coordinate with internal divisions and programs, as well as external partners to promote public health initiatives within the community. The PIO will consult with divisions/departments to develop strategies and approaches for awareness and marketing the health department and its initiatives.  Additionally, the incumbent will support all preparedness activities by developing risk communications plans and strategies to be used during crises or supporting pre-planned special events. During disasters and activations of the emergency operations center, the incumbent will serve as a member of the Joint Information Center. 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• Performs Public Information Officer duties within the Hillsborough County Health Department.  Ensure that the DOH – Hillsborough is transparent, accurate and timely in its messaging.
• Coordinate with internal departments and serve as the central point to obtain approval for all messaging and marketing/informational products from the DOH Office of Communications.
• Collaboratively works with programs to research, design, and/or develop promotional flyers, newsletters, web pages, etc, to promote Department activities or initiatives.
• Responsible for oversight of department social media usage.
• Identify and maintain effective relationship with other key community partners and governmental partners.
• Develop and distribute an internal summary of activities and events for the department on a bi-weekly basis.
• Coordinate and produce annual report.
• Serve as the Communications lead for all internal and external communications during public health emergencies, disasters or incidents, as well as education and/or training pre-event.
• Develop and maintain the department’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communications plan.
• Functions as a team member of Emergency Support Function (ESF) 8, Health and Medical, or a Joint Information Center during all disasters.
• Assists in the development of and/or recommends public information strategies to educate residents regarding public health concerns and/or threats.
• Identify and coordinate with community-based subject matter experts to provide risk communications messages to the public as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
•    Knowledge of principles of effective communication, journalism, and marketing
•    Knowledge of principles of risk communications
•    Ability to effectively use social media (Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and NextDoor)
•    Ability to independently prepare written materials, press releases, informational documents
•    Ability to organize workload and meet deadlines
•    Ability to effectively communicate with staff and the public
•    Ability to interact appropriately with others and maintain effective working relationships
•    Ability to adjust to changes in work environment and responsibilities
•    Ability to work well under extremely stressful situations
•    Ability to lift 40 pounds and work in austere environments

Qualifications:
Minimum: 

• At least one year professional experience as a public information officer or other public communications role.
• Two years’ experience in public health or healthcare setting.
• Two years’ experience creating presentations, creating marketing materials, and/or web site design/updates. 
• Possess a driver’s license or ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.

Preferred:  

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience in a communication, health care, or public health field or applicable experience can be substituted on a year for year basis. 
• Reading, writing, and speaking both English and Spanish.
• Prior experience in responding to disasters in any capacity.
• Experience with using social media. 
• Experience in Crisis/Risk Communications.  
• Experience creating marketing materials, web site design/updates, working with the public.
• Experience with all MS Office products, InDesign, and Canva

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:
Innovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.
Collaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.
Accountability: We perform with integrity & respect.
Responsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.
Excellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement. 

Where You Will Work:
1105 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, Florida 33602

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.
•    Public Health and Nursing Loan Forgiveness Program
•    Tuition waivers for State Universities/Community Colleges.
•    And more!
For a State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator visit State of Florida Total Compensation Estimator (myflorida.com) 
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.  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.    

If there are any problems applying online, please call People First Staffing Administration: (877) 562-7287.
Service Center hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET. TTY users, call (866) 221-0268.

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.