Description

Under direction, to plan, coordinate, and execute activities of communicating and educating the public about department services; to assist in planning, organizing, and executing public information campaigns; to advise management on public relations/public information issues; to assist in the development and implementation of department strategic plan; to serve as the department's Public Information Officer and critical spokesperson during emergency and crisis events; to perform other duties as required.

Example of Duties

• Develops and executes strategies for outreach and educational activities for the Department.
• Oversees involvement in departmental special events; media relations and news conferences; presence on the internet and other electronic media, and other informational and promotional documents; to ensure adherence to department protocol, confidentiality laws, and brand standards, and to ensure that a unified, consistent message/theme is delivered in all department publications for consumers, community stakeholders, county board supervisors, and legislators.
• Oversees the department's intranet and internet layout and for writing content in coordination with department divisions.
• Produces internal communications including departmental and countywide newsletters, department emails and presentations, and intranet content.
• Serves as the primary department contact/Public Information Officer and liaison with media representatives; upon consultation with the County Executive's Office, respond to requests from the media for official statements with respect to the County's position on department issues/incidents of public interest; develops relationships with media, community and business representatives to promote coverage of department issues, activities and accomplishments, and ensure involvement by various constituencies and communities.
• Coordinates the department's overall public information plan and strategies for increasing public awareness of department services, activities, and accomplishments; coordinates the gathering and analysis of demographic, market and other information necessary for formulating and evaluating the effectiveness of the department's overall public information plan; and leads the evaluation of the results of public information activities.
• Assists in the development and implementation of emergency preparedness communication methods and crisis PR communication statement and messaging.
• Assists in the implementation of the department's social media policies and procedures, leveraging department's online presence through digital marketing, and monitors Department staff compliance.
• Coordinates the development of the Department's environmental and strategic plan; assists with monitoring of the execution of the strategic plan; assists with development of measurement tools and necessary dashboards.
• Develops departmental and divisional online surveys and protocols.
• Conducts behavioral public relations research of internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborates with task forces and non-profits on common missions/objectives with the department.
• Provides project management assistance for inter and intra-departmental marketing communications initiatives.
• Serves on internal department committees to facilitate department-wide communications and to enhance employee job satisfaction and improve department operations.
• Establishes and maintains effective public and working relationships with County staff, elected officials, other units of government, community organizations, the media, and the general public.
• Performs emergency government duties as assigned in event of Waukesha County Emergency Government declaration.
• Performs other duties as required.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the function and operation of department services, other county department services, and community resources.
• Comprehensive knowledge of strategic planning principles and procedures.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of public information, outreach, public relations, and promotion of programs and activities.
• Considerable knowledge of survey, research, and statistical methods and techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of project management principles and procedures.
• Considerable knowledge of various methods of verbal, written, and audiovisual presentation techniques.
• Considerable knowledge of computerized department program software, graphic design software, internet access, database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs.
• Working knowledge of emergency preparedness communications and Incident Command System (ICS) protocols.
• Ability to assist in planning, organizing, and coordinating projects with input from numerous agencies and individuals.
• Ability to work with shared leadership and cross-divisional teams; and to coordinate special events.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate the efforts of staff in the development and design of department strategic plan, and policies and procedures.
• Ability to objectively analyze and interpret complex and detailed data and materials, and to prepare recommendations.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing; to prepare, write, and orally present information on department programs and activities; and to write press releases and deal with media.
• Ability to design and execute communications and public relations activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective public and working relationships with County staff, elected officials, other units of government, community organizations, the media, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively interact with sensitivity with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyles.

Minimum Qualifications

You must meet these minimum Training and Experience requirements:

• Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, public relations, communications, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of responsible professional work experience in marketing, communications, public relations, media-related activities, legislative or policy research, or a closely related field, preferably in the public sector.
• A master's degree in an area listed above may substitute for one year of the required work experience.

Waukesha County's pay plans, group insurance programs, and other benefit policies comprise a package that is highly competitive and satisfies the needs of its employees. This is intended to give only a brief summary of the employee benefit package. Additional information will be provided at the time of hire. Benefits for part-time positions are pro-rated.

Vacation
2-weeks 1 – 2 years of service
3-weeks 3 – 9 years of service
4-weeks 10 – 16 years of service
5-weeks 17 or more years of service
Holidays (9 paid holidays)
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving day
The Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve Day

Floating Holidays
2 paid floating holidays earned on February 1 and June 1.

Sick Leave
12-days of sick leave granted immediately upon hire. Thereafter, 1-day earned per month, up to a maximum of 120-days.

Funeral Leave
Up to 24-hours of leave with pay to attend the funeral of an immediate family member.

Health Insurance – High Deductible Health Plan
County pays 85% of premium and employee contributes 15% of the premium.

Health Savings Account
Pre-tax savings account that can be used for qualifying medical expenses (e.g. office visit fees, co-pays, prescriptions, vision and dental). County contributes to health savings account based on Health Risk Assessment completion- $2,250 for family plan and $1,125 for single plan.

Onsite Health and Wellness Clinic
Available to individuals who are enrolled in the County's health insurance plan including employees, spouses, and children ages 2+. Preventive care services are free. All dispensed prescriptions are $2. Dispensed available ACA preventative medications are $0 cost. Non-preventative care visits are $28. Physical therapy is $28 per visit. No cost for office visits after deductible is met. Clinic staffed with MD and Physician Assistant, Physical Therapists, and Health Coaches.

Dental Insurance
Choice of two dental plans. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following 6-months of employment.

Vision Insurance
Coverage begins on the first day of the month following 60-days of employment.

Employee Wellness Activities & Program/Fitness Center
24/7 access to a wealth of health tools and information on the wellness portal. On-going education programs, fitness challenges and classes. On-site fitness center in Administration Center and Health & Human Services buildings.

Retirement Pension
As a full-time employee, you will automatically be enrolled in the Wisconsin Retirement System. This pension is administered by the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds. You are required to pay the employee's share of contributions to the fund, while Waukesha County contributes the employer's share. Employees are vested in their portion of contributions immediately and after five years of creditable service for the employer contribution. To view employee/employer contribution rates, visit Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds' website and type in WRS Contribution Rates in the search box.

Part time employees are enrolled and required to pay the employee's share of contributions after working 1,200 hours of work in any 12-month period.

457 Deferred Compensation
Optional program used to supplement retirement income. Pre-tax and Roth options available. Eligible to contribute upon hire.

Payroll Roth IRA
Optional post-tax program used to supplement retirement income. Eligible to contribute upon hire.

Group Term Life Insurance
Automatic coverage in life insurance at no cost to employee. Coverage effective first of the month following six months of employment. Coverage upon hire is two times annual salary and then transitions to two times prior year gross salary after at least one full calendar year of employment is completed.

Voluntary Supplemental Term Life Insurance
Additional voluntary coverage for an employee at the employee's expense. May purchase amount in increments of $25,000 up to $200,000. No medical underwriting upon initial eligibility. Coverage effective first of the month following six months of employment.

Dependent Life Insurance
Voluntary life insurance coverage for a spouse or dependent child at the employee's expense. Coverage effective first of the month following six months of employment.
Coverage options:
Option 1:$20,000 (spouse)/$10,000 (child) - $4.00/month
Option 2: $10,000 (spouse)/$5,000 (child) - $2.00/month

Dependent Care FSA
Optional pre-tax benefit account where employees to deduct up to $5,000 ($2,500 if married and filing separate federal income tax returns) that can used to reimburse self for eligible dependent care services such as child or adult daycare. Coverage effective first of month following 60 days of employment.

Healthcare FSA
Optional pre-tax benefit account where employee can contribute pre-tax dollars to pay for health care expenses not covered under a group health, dental, or vision plan such as deductible, co-insurance, co-pay etc. Must not be enrolled in an HSA Qualifying High Deductible Health Plan to elect. Coverage effective first of month following 60 days of employment.

Retirement Health Savings Plan
Automatic enrollment in a retirement health savings plan. County makes contributions each month on the second paycheck of the month on behalf of employee. Effective the first of the month following employment.

Long-term Disability Insurance
Automatic coverage in long-term disability. County pays 100% of monthly premiums. Coverage effective the first of the month following employment.

Employee Assistance Program
Voluntary program that offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees and their family members who have personal and/or work-related problems. Unlimited access to a highly informative website with articles and tools to support you in a wide variety of your work/life needs. Eligible immediately upon hire.

Tuition Reimbursement
Financial assistance for attending Job-related classes.

Employee Discount Programs

• Dell products
• Discount on cell service through U.S. Cellular, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
• Discounted rate to get Microsoft 365 through Microsoft Home Use Program

Pay for Performance
Employees are eligible for performance based merit awards with exceptional and commendable performance ratings

Student Loan Forgiveness
Employees may qualify to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Special Programs - MyFedLoan).