PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (SHERIFF) 9337

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Under general direction, an employee in this class is responsible for the dissemination of information to the media and the public to keep Suffolk County residents informed of current events, important information and initiatives in the Sheriff’s Office, with a goal of promoting public safety. The employee utilizes considerable initiative in the selection and planning of effective publicity programs to be presented through diverse media. Assignments are received from an administrative superior and work is reviewed through conferences and written reports as to quality and adequacy of the publicity produced. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Receives and evaluates law enforcement privileged and confidential information and coordinates and handles media inquiries, ensuring that the needs of the Sheriff’s Office and its initiatives are not compromised;

Acts as the liaison between the bureaus of the Sheriff’s Office and the media, approving responses and selecting issues appropriate for public dissemination;

Writes press releases and drafts other written materials for the Sheriff on issues affecting criminal justice in Suffolk County;

Plans and coordinates press opportunities for the Sheriff and members of the office;

Selects and schedules appearances of the Sheriff in consideration of the goals and duties of the office;

Monitors and analyzes articles and information about the Sheriff’s Office and important public safety issues in the media and on social media, and will update the Sheriff and make recommendations;

Attends meetings represented by the media and community organizations pertaining to Suffolk County law enforcement issues;

Conducts evaluations of the existing office procedures regarding the dissemination of public information and makes recommendations for office policy;

Prepares and distributes to varied media news items, speeches, articles, pamphlets and other publicity materials.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques of advertising and publicity; some knowledge of the programs and services offered by the Sheriff’s Office; ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing; ability to plan, organize, and direct promotional campaigns; originality in developing the most effective approaches to the unique problems of a public service organization; persuasiveness in attaining the cooperation of representatives of the media; ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from a college with federally-authorized accreditation or registration by NY State with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Advertising, Communications or Liberal Arts and four (4) years of experience in newspaper, magazine, news broadcasting, marketing, managerial sales or public relations work which regularly involved writing or editing responsibilities.

NOTE: Relevant additional education will be substituted for experience on a year-for-year basis.

01/10/22

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Pending (Non-Competitive)