Public Affairs Officer - (YCSO) Countywide

• Works with and coordinates outreach/marketing activities with the Office of the Sheriff, division commanders, community partners, and other county departments.        
• Serves as a media liaison and spokesperson for the Yavapai County Sheriff; prepares and distributes press release information and responds to all requests for information from the public, media, employees, and management from other jurisdictions on behalf of the Sheriff’s Office.
• Interacts on a high-level with local and national media and provides information to various agencies, organizations, and citizens about the work of the Yavapai Sheriff’s Office.
• Performs high level professional communications work of a broad, diverse, and complex nature and exercises independent management of daily projects and deadlines.
• Develops, plans, and coordinates a comprehensive countywide communication effort which includes proactive public information, messaging, social media, and relations strategies to enhance community awareness and trust related to the mission of the Sheriff’s Office. 
• Advises the elected Sheriff and staff concerning public relations issues and the public impact of actual or proposed government actions, policies, and decisions. 
• Participates in development and creation of community programs and presents programs to community organizations. 
• Attends meetings and gatherings to obtain updates for the Sheriff’s Office for publication, verify facts and clarify information; meets with the public to provide information and assistance regarding Sheriff’s Office activities and actions.
• Speaks with civic organizations. 
• Seeks special funding through grants and donations to further community awareness programs.
• Supervises and oversees community awareness programs throughout the community, such as Block Watch.
• Supervises interns and volunteers assigned to public affairs.
• May direct the work of staff.
• Utilizes specialty and advanced equipment and technologies and performs planning, filming, and editing videos that could be used for a variety of projects. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education:
Associate’s Degree in Public Administration, Public Relations, Journalism, Communication, or related field.
 
Experience: 
A minimum of three (3) years of experience in public relations, media communications, or related field.
 
An equivalent combination of directly related work experience and education may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-per-year basis.
 
Additional Requirements:
Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license.
All persons applying for employment with the Sheriff’s Office shall be required to meet the following general qualifications: integrity, honesty, dependability, industry thoroughness, accuracy, good judgment, initiative, and courtesy. All persons will be required to complete a thorough background investigation to include, but not limited to polygraph, psychological, and physical fitness test. All persons must successfully complete a minimum six (6) month probation period.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
 
 Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public affairs and relations.
• Department rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Business English, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and composition.
• Clerical office practices and procedures.
• Research techniques and report writing.
• Current Microsoft Office software.
• Filing and recordkeeping.

• Exercising creativity and resourcefulness in developing communication efforts.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing and communicating orally in a face-to-face setting and by telephone with public and employees.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.
• Organization and adherence to detail.

• Prepare clear and concise reports and presentations.
• Represent the Sheriff and present accurate information to the news media and community partners in a professional manner.
• Work under pressure in a highly dynamic work environment with changing program demands and priorities.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates, employees of other departments, representatives of other organizations, County officials, and the public.
• Keep management informed of key operating issues affecting the department.
• Remain current in knowledge required to perform assigned duties.  
• Handle confidential matters and maintain discretion always.
• Act with courtesy, tact, and diplomacy.