Healthcare Jobs: Health Care Agency Public Information Officer Job Description

Career Description

Health Care Agency Public Information Officer (PUBLIC INFORMATION AND AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATOR)

SALARY INFORMATION Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate’s qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

DEADLINE NOW EXTENDED TO APPLY This recruitment is open to the public for a minimum of five (5) business days and is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm (PST) on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. This recruitment will establish an open eligible list. This list will be used to fill current and future Public Information and Affairs Administrator vacancies within the Health Care Agency. This eligible list may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

Health Care Agency Overview

The County of Orange, Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas – Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health, and Specialized Medical Services – is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

The Department: Government Affairs and Communications

Government Affairs and Communications supports executive leadership and facilitates cross-collaborative efforts to develop, implement, and enhance key initiatives. It encompasses Communications, Custodian of Records, Grants and Funding Opportunities, as well as Legislation and Policy. Additionally, the division serves as the primary liaison to the County of Orange Board of Supervisors, the County Executive Office, and external elected officials.

The Opportunity

The HCA has an exciting opportunity for a qualified individual to serve as a Public Information Officer (PIO) for the agency. This PIO will serve as the trusted personal representative and liaison from the HCA to other local, regional, state and federal agencies. This PIO will develop and enhance communications between the HCA and various stakeholders including elected officials, the media, regulatory agencies, and the public. The PIO will also expand public outreach on behalf of the HCA to the community and other organizations seeking information and education. This position will oversee external public information activities on behalf of the HCA.

Example of Duties

Additional responsibilities of the position will also include but are not limited to:

• Coordinate all media coverage, press releases and other media-related items for the HCA on both local and national media levels
• Effectively communicate and serve as the spokesperson to radio, newspaper, and television reporters
• Effectively collaborate with internal staff and other County agencies
• Conduct media relations training sessions for staff as needed
• Manage emergency response communications plans as directed by EOC protocols, and with the County Health Officer input
• Create and develop press conferences and media plans by crafting objectives and strategies
• Serve as the liaison with Behavioral Health Service to manage communications needs and support, including public awareness campaigns
• Write speeches and public communications
• Lead awareness campaigns supporting key behavioral health initiatives, liaising with key program subject matter experts and advertising/public relation agency partners
• Advise HCA executives on media/public affairs issues
• Maintain the HCA’s social media accounts and some website updates to maintain current information or promotional messaging
• Assume additional responsibilities as needed

Desirable Qualifications and Core Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess four (4) or more years of professional experience as a public information officer or public affairs within government or in collaboration with government entities. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge, skills and abilities that demonstrates the following competencies:

Professional | Technical Expertise

• Drafting clear, concise, and impactful press releases
• Possessing extensive government experience in public relations, media relations, and handling various external inquires
• Responding to and navigating crisis situations with sound judgement and professionalism
• Addressing matters related to health care, public health and/or safety, and emergency medical services
• Designing and implementing communication strategies aimed at external audiences
• Collaborating across the department to ensure clear and consistent messaging across all communication channels

Effective Communication | Interpersonal Skills

• Serving as a spokesperson in press engagement and coaching agency leadership on same
• Utilizing strong interpersonal skills to lead and coordinate communication efforts across the agency
• Serving as a liaison and spokesperson on behalf of the organization interfacing with political officials, administrators, the community, media, and various departments and agencies
• Demonstrating expertise in communication strategies for organizations with ongoing operations that are subject to public sensitivity and scrutiny

Problem Solving and Analysis

• Conducting thorough research, organizing and accurately interpreting data, and applying relevant finding effectively
• Assessing issues, analyzing their impacts, and developing effective solutions
• Incorporating new ideas and modern approaches into problem solving strategies

Leadership | Management

• Mentoring, coaching, and developing staff through a consistently supportive and collaborative approach
• Promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that emphasizes learning, development, and a commitment to quality and excellence

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of Public Information and Public Affairs including strategic messaging and communications, media relations, marketing, public relations, website and social media execution, legislation analysis, and special event planning
• Principles and practices of project and program administration
• Principles and practices of journalism and the media
• Principles and practices of marketing material concept development and execution
• Principles and practices of federal, state, and local legislative processes and government organizational structures
• Principles and techniques of effective oral presentations, public speaking, and written reports
• Supervisory principles, practices, and techniques, including employee development, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands, and assigning/monitoring work
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and standards
• Modern office technology and operational specific business systems, equipment, and applications relevant to area of assignment

Ability to

• Administer Public Information, Legislative Affairs, and Public Affairs programs and activities in assigned area of responsibility
• Ability to identify, analyze, and develop a strategy to address legislative impacts to County operations
• Develop strategic messaging and communication materials
• Plan and respond appropriately to public information/affairs events, requests, and queries. Coordinating the preparation and publication of media, marketing, promotional, and/or communication materials
• Administer programs and projects
• Prioritize multiple competing work priorities and meeting deadlines
• Research and analyze data, formulate issues, and articulating recommendations
• Monitor and interpret operational data, regulatory and financial information, and statistics
• Administer budgets and procurement processes, which may include negotiating contracts
• Develop and prepare reports, press releases, and presentations
• Recommend and implement policies and procedures
• Resolve conflict and facilitate consensus across multiple stakeholders
• Supervise and evaluate staff performance, including training and coaching staff, coordinating deadlines, prioritizing work demands and assigning/monitoring work, as assigned
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards
• Provide excellent customer service
• Utilize a computer and relevant software applications
• Utilize communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interactions with coworkers, supervisors, the general public, and others to effectively exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

Education and Experience

• One (1) year of experience as a Public Information and Affairs Analyst or its equivalent with the County of Orange.
• Or
• Four (4) years of professional public information and affairs experience related to assignment.
• A Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, business administration, public administration, political science, or a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Master’s degree or higher in communications, public relations, business administration, public administration, political science, or a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

License/Certification

• Some assignments may require one or more of the following licenses or certifications by date of application/date of appointment:
  • Completion of Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Incident Command Structure (ICS) training modules
  • Possession of a valid California Driver’s license, Class C or higher

Special Requirements

• Completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County may be required for some assignments.

Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.).

Recruitment Process

Human Resource Services (HRS) will screen all applications to identify qualified candidates. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer) Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applicants that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Veterans Employment Preference The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here (Download PDF reader) to review the policy.

Application Review – Training and Experience | HR Review Rating (Weighted 100%) An Application Appraisal conducted by HRS will thoroughly screen and evaluate all application materials for job knowledge, competencies, and related experience described above. Only the most qualified applicants will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Department’s needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. Candidates will be notified via e-mail of any changes in the selection procedure.

Eligible List Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Supplemental Information

E-MAIL NOTIFICATION E-mail is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct e-mail address is included in our application and use only one e-mail account.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via e-mail through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your e-mail folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept e-mails ending with “governmentjobs.com” and “ocgov.com.” If your e-mail address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

For detailed information on how to apply, click here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact Liza Butler at (714) 834-2069 or ebutler@ochca.com.

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