SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (OEM)

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SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (OEM)

Salary

$24.33 - $27.05 Hourly

Location

5320 North Shepherd

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

34006

Department

Houston Emergency Center

Opening Date

04/25/2024

Closing Date

5/20/2024 11:59 PM Central

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications Accepted From: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Division: Office of Emergency Management

Workdays & Hours: Monday - Friday 8am, - 5pm Weekends As Needed*

*Subject to change

ABOUT US

The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management is committed to safeguarding the Houston community against all hazards and threats through coordinated planning and response with a trusted, compassionate, and diverse team focused on people, professionalism, preparedness, and partnerships.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Senior Communications Specialist, under the direction of the Chief Communications Officer, engages with internal and external stakeholders during the prevention, preparedness, response, recovery and/or mitigation of intentional and unintentional crisis, disasters, other humanitarian emergencies, or of all-hazards, natural and man-made/technological (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, high explosives) events. This position assists in the department’s communication and media presences online and through traditional media outlets to promote safety programs and services by working to create a trusted source of information and public awareness and public education of the

emergency management program throughout the City of Houston.

The purpose of the Senior Communications Specialist is to help evaluate educational materials and develops marketing plans for selected target audiences as assigned. Assists in the production of internal/external communications by showing a broad general knowledge of media support tools and a comprehensive performance of tasks within one or more areas of responsibility. Coordinates with Chief Communications Officer to maintain the departmental website and intranet; assists with content development, posts regular updates using the content management system, analytics, and evaluation, and performs other day-to-day website maintenance needs. In addition, regularly engage through the department's social media channels; develops content, makes daily posts, monitors social interactions, develops analytics reports, and regularly evaluates the effectiveness of online communications strategies. Serves in various supporting and leadership roles during activations of the Emergency Operations Center including primarily participating or leading the Joint Information Center (JIC) in absence of the Chief Communications Officer. Assists with the management and coordination of training for the City of Houston Joint Information Center/Systems during special events and emergencies in support of the Emergency Operations Center. Serves as the organization’s secondary point of contact and manage the Texas Public Information Act request process for the organization in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. Sends mass emergency notifications using IPAWS (Integrated Public Alerts and Warning System) and Everbridge as needed.

The Senior Communications Specialist duties will include but not limited to:

• Develops appropriate communication tools utilizing scripts, speeches, etc.

• Performs varied audiovisual services including lamination, transparencies, darkroom make-ready, videotaping, etc.

• Performs research/development as well as writing/editing of various publications, materials, etc.

• Assists in setting up special displays, exhibits, projects.

• Provides computer-generated graphics, including slides.

• Provides limited supervision and work assignment for departmental volunteers and/or other department employees.

• Performs other specialty communication services as assigned.

• Writes, edits and proof reads copy for printed materials and television.

• Tasks include coordinating shooting and production, responsibilities of the video cameraman and production and post-production of video.

WORKING CONDITION

Varies depending on responsibility area; but may include:

• The ability to make coordinated eye/hand movements within fairly fine tolerance and/or calibration demands; or the ability to make closely coordinated eye/hand movements on a patterned response space within moderate tolerance demands.

• Lifting and carrying of moderately heavy items (up to 40 pounds), periods of walking with production equipment on rough surfaces. Display construction may involve heavy lifting up to 80-90 pounds. Bending and climbing on ladders.

• There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than-optimal temperature and air conditions. The position may involve dealing with modestly unpleasant situations, as with occasional exposure to office chemicals and/or extensive use of a video display terminal.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires a Bachelor's degree in art, design, communications, typography or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Two years of experience in media, public relations, the art field or a closely related field are required.

Directly related professional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None

PREFERENCES

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

Preference will be given to applicants with the following:

• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) issued by a State or International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) (this is on the master classification list)

• Bilingual Skills

• Executing social media/marketing, Canva & third-party publishing software (low/no-code systems like WordPress)

• Website Management

• Creating Marketing and/or educational videos for social media

• Spokesperson on camera

• Strong written and verbal skills

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

The selection process will involve application review and interview. Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION YES

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade: 20

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at : www.houstontx.gov . To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm . or call 832-393-2788.

If you need special services or accommodations, call 832-393-2788 (TTY 7-1-1).

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE - Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan.

Benefits include:

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Wellness

• Life insurance

• Long-term disability

• Retirement pension

• 457 deferred compensation plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• 10 days of vacation each year

• 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

• Flexible schedules

• Professional development opportunities

• Transportation/parking plan

• Section 125 pretax deductions

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes

• No

  02

  Are you currently an employee of the Houston Emergency Center?

• Yes

• No

  03

  What best describes your highest completed level of education?

• Less than High School diploma/GED

• High School Diploma or GED

• Associate's Degree

• Bachelor's Degree or higher

  04

  Please indicate the degree concentration you obtain ("See Resume" is not acceptable, if statement does not apply, please insert N/A)

• Art

• Typography

• Communications

• Design

• Emergency

• Public Relations

• Other closely related field

  05

  If you chose the "other related field" option in the previous question, please specify your degree.

  06

  How many years of directly related professional experience in media, public relations, the art field or a closely related field do you possess?

• Less than 2 years

• 2 to less than 4 years

• 4 to less than 6 years

• 6 or more years

• No experience

  07

  Briefly describe the elements of a good story or good storytelling (see resume is not acceptable, if no experience please insert N/A).

  08

  How would you describe your writing style? (see resume is not acceptable, if no experience please insert N/A)

  09

  What are some of the biggest challenges of working as a Communications Specialist? (see resume is not acceptable, if no experience please insert N/A)

  10

  What makes a story newsworthy? (see resume is not acceptable, if no experience please insert N/A)

  11

  Work setting verifiable experience (check all that apply):

• Executing social media/marketing, Canva & third-party publishing software (low/no-code systems like WordPress)

• Website Management

• Creating Marketing and/or educational videos for social media

• Spokesperson on camera

• Bilingual Skills

• Possess a certified Emergency Manager (CEM) issued by a State or International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)

• No experience

  Required Question