COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER - EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT/HOMELESSNESS

Job Description:

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER - EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT/HOMELESSNESS

Description

Position/Program Information

Los Angeles County Office of the

PUBLIC DEFENDER

EXAM NUMBER:

L1610A-EA

RECRUITMENT TYPE:

OPEN COMPETITIVE JOB OPPORTUNITY - Emergency

WHO WE ARE
The Los Angeles County Office of the Public Defender is the nation's finest client-centered criminal defense firm, providing a beacon for evolutionary and revolutionary changes in the justice system. Our offices are headed by innovative and progressive leaders collaboratively working towards our agency’s mission of reducing the incarceration rate for our indigent clientele.

WHEN TO APPLY
Applications will be accepted starting Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. (PT). The application filing period will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness , a nd the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.

The Los Angeles County Office of the Public Defender is seeking qualified candidates to fill the emergency Communications Manager position, Public Defender vacancy related to the homelessness crisis.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Manages and directs the planning, development, evaluation, implementation, and administration of a comprehensive and strategic public information and engagement program for the department's Communications Unit.

Essential Job Functions

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS INCLUDE BUT MAY NOT BE LIMITED TO:

• Directing and participating in the development and implementation of the department’s communication strategies and public information programs to effectively convey the department’s mission, goals, services, and community outreach programs.
• Managing the dissemination of information to the public and the media and utilizing technical expertise to quickly and professionally respond to crises and challenging situations. Conferring with the executive team to identify strategies for addressing high-profile cases; and arranging interviews with the Public Defender and departmental executives. Responding to requests for information on the programs and activities of the Public Defender and the department.
• Fostering effective working relationships with clients, government officials, and media representatives. Formulating policies and procedures related to public information programs.
• Assigning, supervising, and reviewing the work of communications staff; providing constructive feedback; preparing employee evaluations, and maintaining the unit’s schedule. Developing policies and procedures and working with staff to meet career and organizational goals.
• Coordinating with the Office of the Alternate Public Defender and the Independent Defense Counsel Office on communications-related training programs.
• Managing special events (e.g., community outreach programs) designed to provide and disseminate information on the department’s programs and services. Evaluating the effectiveness of the department’s public relations efforts and recommending revisions, if necessary.

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university* with a major in Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Public Relations, English, Criminal Justice, Criminology, or a closely related field -AND- Five years of experience at the level of Los Angeles County’s class of Senior Public Information Specialist** initiating, planning, developing, maintaining, evaluating, implementing, and coordinating a complex and sensitive public information program; or professional experience as a journalist within a media organization.

Special Requirement Information
*In order to receive credit for a Bachelor's or higher degree, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization at the time of application filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of filing. If you are unable to attach the required documents, you must email them to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov .Please include the exam number and exam title in your email. Applications received without proof of the required degree(s) will not be considered as meeting the stated Minimum Requirements. For more information regarding education, please see the Employment Information document on the LA County Jobs website.

** Experience at the level of Los Angeles County's class of Senior Public Information Specialist involves initiating, planning, developing, maintaining, evaluating, implementing, and coordinating a complex and sensitive public information and engagement program; serves in a lead capacity or may serve as a supervisor to public information staff engaged in the planning and dissemination of information through various media channels.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Some positions may require a valid California Class C Driver License to perform job-related functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS II - LIGHT

This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

EXAM CONTENT
Before the end of your initial work assignment, the department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

Additional Information

APPLICATION & FILING INFORMATION

• APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE ONLY. Applications submitted by U.S. Mail, Fax, or in person will not be accepted.
• Apply online by clicking on the green "Apply" button for this posting. Please review your application for accuracy before submitting it. You can also track the status of your application by visiting Governmentjobs.com and logging into your account.
• Many important notifications such as application notices and initial appointment letters will be sent electronically to the email address provided on your application. It is your responsibility to provide a valid email address and review all notifications sent to you. Please add Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov, HMoreno@pubdef.lacounty.gov , noreply@governmentjobs.com, Personnel@pubdef.lacounty.gov , to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered or blocked as spam/junk/clutter mail.
• Applicants have the ability to opt out of emails from Los Angeles County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any examination notifications. You can always access some of these notifications by logging into your profile inbox at Governmentjobs.com which saves a copy of all emailed notices. It is your responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence.
• Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the first day of filing as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on Governmentjobs.com , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
• The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the Minimum Requirements . Fill out your application and Supplemental Questionnaire completely. Provide any relevant job experience when prompted, in the spaces provided so we can evaluate your qualifications for the job. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week and description of work performed. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
• Please note that all information included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the application review, selection, and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION.
• Applicants must submit all applicable documents at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date the application is filed via email to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov . Include the examination number and title in your email's subject line. Although resumes can be uploaded as attachments to the application, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the online application.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Applicants can find out more information about select in-person library services and locations by visiting the Los Angeles County Library website.

NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD
All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password.
Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

FAIR CHANCE INITIATIVE
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records that are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI):
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Questions? Contact us: Exam Number: L1610A-EA
Department Contact Name: Hector Moreno
Department Contact Phone: (213) 460-8068
Department Contact Email: Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
ADA Coordinator Email: Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
California Relay Service Phone: (800) 735-2922
Teletype Phone: (800) 735-2929

For detailed information, please click here

Salary:

$147,753.60 - $229,786.80 Annually