Location: Milam,TX, USA
Salary : $53,840.56 Annually Location : Midland, TX Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 2019-00469 Department: County Commissioners Opening Date: 10/16/2024 Summary Please ensure that you fill out this (you must open this in internet explorer to digitally sign). All that is needed is your name, signature, and the date. YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE WITHOUT THE TWO FORMS LISTED BELOW: You MUST attach A copy of your Resume Maintains and repairs various systems and equipment, including, but not limited to, heaters, air conditioners, electrical equipment, and plumbing; monitors and maintains security, fire alarm, and energy management systems; and fills out appropriate paperwork for documentation of work performed SUMMARY The Public Information Officer's (PIO) responsibilities include providing accurate and consistent information and announcements from the County Judge's Office and Commissioners' Court to the media and residents of Midland County. This information is prepared by the PIO and is distributed through the use of press releases, speeches, brochures, briefs, facts sheets, social media and the County website. During crisis, the PIO works closely with the Midland County Office of Emergency Management to ensure essential information is available to the residents of Midland County. Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. 1. Serve as spokesperson and primary resource for Midland County information; respond verbally and in writing in a timely manner, to a variety of inquiries from staff, the media or the public, providing information or directing questions to appropriate staff to promote good public/media relations and create cooperative working relationships. 2. Provides direct support to the County Judge and Commissioners' Court in the areas of public information and media relations and serves as a spokesperson for the Office of Emergency Management department, when requested. 3. Plans, designs, writes and edits news releases, newsletters, informational articles, speeches and other materials. 4. Coordinates and conducts press conferences, public meetings, and receptions. Organizes special media events. 5. Responsible for electronic and print media relations for Midland County Commissioners' Court. 6. Appear before special interest groups and community organizations, attend board and commission meetings to present programs or materials dealing with County activities; attend meetings to build agency morale and community support. 7. Support the County's outreach goals by leading or serving on committees and task forces as well as with local, State and national agencies. 8. Works with Midland County Office of Emergency Management to develop strategies that increase awareness and visibility. 9. Responds to public information requests directed to the County Judge and Commissioners' Court, in accordance to applicable laws and statutes. 10. Ensures all job duties are performed in compliance with applicable local, state and federal statutes & regulations. 11. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES May supervise communications employees including assigning and reviewing work, conducting performance reviews, and recommending personnel actions. Approves and directs training programs designed to improve the competency of each employee supervised. Qualifications, Education, and/or experience QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis. KNOWLEDGE/SKILL/ ABILITY TO Ability to establish and implement cohesive communication and public relations strategies and plans on an institutional basis. Knowledge and understanding of the mission, goals, and objectives of County operations. Willing to learn operations and procedures, develop and implement new strategies and procedures for communications. Strong strategic planning and management skills. Knowledge of communication principles, media, and public relations techniques. Outstanding interpersonal and community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community. Ability to analyze complex problems, interpret operational needs, and develop integrated, creative solutions. Ability to use independent judgment and to gather, manage and impart information to the media and various other internal and external audiences. Experience communicating with the press and other media. Strong knowledge of local and regional media contacts and/or a proven ability to develop such relationships quickly. Ability to provide effective advice and counsel on strategic and/or critical communication issues and to exercise effective judgement. Ability to write executive-level communications for internal and external audiences. Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality. PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT No or very limited physical effort required. No or very limited exposure to physical risk. Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment. OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Regular attendance is essential. Incumbent must arrive at work on time, prepared to perform assigned duties and work assigned schedule. Incumbent must have the ability to work well with others. Incumbent must be able to perform the essential functions of the position without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of themselves and others. Requested accommodations to work hours and schedules are considered on an individual basis. Midland County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past three years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually. CONTACTS: Interacts with a variety of Departmental Directors, Managers, Peers and Other Employees, Other Agencies, County Officials, Commissioners, Judges, Various Vendors and Professionals, Citizens, Clients, Parties of interest, The Business Community, Community-At-Large, Local, State and/or Federal Agencies, often at a high level of authority. HEALTH / DENTAL INSURANCE- Regular full-time employees are provided general medical, hospitalization, and dental insurance coverage. This is free to the employee if they take a yearly HRA and have negative Cotinine test yearly. Employees may obtain coverage under the group plan for family members at their own expense. Employees become eligible for this coverage on the 91st day of employment. Prices for other insurance are listed LONG TERM DISABILITY- Regular full-time employees working over 30 hours per week are eligible for long-term disability benefits. This benefit becomes effective on the 1st day of the month following six months of continuous employment with the county CAFETERIA PLAN - All regular full-time employees are eligible to enroll in the supplemental insurance portion of the county cafeteria plan on the 91st day of employment, or annually during an enrollment period for the following plan year of January 1 through December 31. They will not be eligible for enrollment in the Flexible Spending Accounts for medical reimbursement and/or dependent care until the first annual enrollment for the plan year beginning after 1 full year of employment. DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS - Midland County offers five deferred compensation plans. Enrollment in one of these plans can be done at any time after the 91st day of employment. RETIREMENT PLAN - The county is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS). Regular employees are required to become members of TCDRS and are eligible for this benefit immediately upon employment. Employees automatically deposit 7% of their salary. Temporary employees are not eligible to become members of TCDRS. The county matches employee deposits by 200% and interest at retirement. An employee is vested after 8 years of service. An employee may retire with full benefits after 8 years of service and attainment of age 60, or after 30 years of service, or at the time the employee qualifies under the Rule of 75 . The Rule of 75 is defined as when the employee's age combined with years of service (rounded down to whole years) equal to 75 or more. DEATH BENEFIT PLANS - There are two (2) types of death benefit plans provided by Midland County to all employees who participate in the Texas County and District Retirement System. SUPPLEMENTAL DEATH BENEFITS FUND-If an employee dies, his or her beneficiary will receive a lump sum payment equal to one year's compensation, based on the employee's most recent regular rate of pay for the employee's regular position. SURVIVOR ANNUITY DEATH BENEFIT -To be eligible for this death benefit, the employee must be a participant in T.C.D.R.S. and must have completed at least four (4) years of service with Midland County SOCIAL SECURITY - All employees of the county are covered by social security. The county also contributes to the social security system on behalf of each employee. WORKERS' COMPENSATION - All employees of the county are covered by the workers' compensation insurance program, and the county pays the premium. This coverage provides medical and salary continuation payments to employees who receive bona fide, on-the-job, work-related injuries. LEAVE TIME - Regular full-time county employees are eligible for holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and other types of released time under certain circumstances. FREE WELLNESS CLINIC- for anyone over the age 3 covered by Midland County's insurance. EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM LONGEVITY PAY YEARLY-Upon completion of one (1) year of service, each employee receives longevity pay. Longevity pay is paid at a rate of sixty dollars ($60.00) per year of service to the county. This longevity pay is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis. TELADOC SERVICES-as of 1/1/19 This service gives you access to a medical professional via the internet at no charge to the employee. To use this service you must be covered under the County medical plan and register with Teladoc.