Director of Constituent Services

Starting Annual Wage: $83,200 - $99,008.00

Canyon County is located in southwestern Idaho, tucked into the west end of the beautiful Treasure Valley. Just minutes from the capital city of Boise, it features a perfect mixture of rural and urban living and boasts one of the strongest agricultural economies in the entire state, including one of the fastest growing and premiere wine regions in the world in the Snake River Valley. The area’s mild seasonal climate also makes Canyon County a recreationist’s dream with easy access to skiing, snowboarding, hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, bicycling, camping, and golfing. Educational opportunities are abundant with a variety of public, private, and charter primary schools, two fully accredited universities, and the state’s largest community college. Canyon County is also home to two of the premiere professional rodeos in the United States, playing host to the Snake River Stampede and the Caldwell Night Rodeo each summer.

General Statement of Duties
The Director of Constituent Services develops, conducts, and evaluates public information and public contact programs for Canyon County Elected Officials and Departments as necessary or assigned. This position reports directly to the Canyon County Board of County Commissioners. Responsible for department’s annual budget, supervision of assigned staff, participate in confidential Executive Sessions when requested and provide status reports to the Board. Acts as a spokesperson to the media and researches legislative matters.

Classification Summary

Provides direction to county officials involving public information, internal information, and community relations activities; publicizes County progress and accomplishments, community communications, open government, points of view, and programs; may develop and distribute the county communications and electronic media; and performs related duties as required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, and implements programs designed to meet the County’s communication objectives;
• Manages and coordinates public and media relations’ activities on behalf of the Elected Officials and Department Administrators as assigned;
• Works in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Public Information Officer;
• Serves as a point of contact for media inquiries and public record requests;
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with media outlets and representatives;
• Writes and distributes media advisories, news releases, opinion editorials and prepares materials and press kits for distribution on behalf of the County;
• Schedules, facilitates and plans news conferences, editorial board meetings and interviews with news media organizations on behalf of the Elected Officials and departments;
• Compiles, provides background and prepares talking points for media interviews and presentations;
• Responds to community information requests and distributes information, photographs, and press releases to media representatives and the public;
• Conceptualizes, creates and assist with the production of brochures, flyers, slide shows, videos, displays, graphics, multimedia presentations and other informational material as assigned;
• Arranges meetings and speaking engagements with community groups, interest groups, government entities and others assigned;
• Manages promotional activities such as press releases, brochures, public service announcements, meeting notifications, town hall communications, ribbon cutting ceremonies, community outreach;
• Reviews daily news and informs the Board of any potential public issues impacting Canyon County;
• Administers and oversees special projects and event functions;
• Oversees County social media posts and streaming services; maintains content and approval of the Canyon County public website, design, news events, and communications.
• Ensures that written and oral communications, often of a confidential nature, are communicated in an accurate and timely manner;
• Solicits public input through online surveys and polls;
• Handles emergency communication involving crisis or unforeseen circumstances requiring research, writing, editing and speaking;
• Handles many citizen complaints without assistance by gathering information and responding to the citizen, or directing the complaint to the proper party for response;
• Aligns with cities to engage in community events;
• Works closely with the Chief Operating Officer on policy, guidelines, procedures, or needs specific to the County or the Constituent Services Department;
• Performs other duties as required.

Essential Relationship Expectations

• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner.
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Is punctual and timely in meeting requirements of performance, including attendance standards and work deadlines;
• Communicates information and states concerns in a clear and professional manner.
• Respects the opinion of others and demonstrates a reasonable relationship with employees, supervisors and others;
• Accepts and performs in a timely and effective manner changes in work assignments and/or how work is performed;
• Professional attire standard to represent Elected Officials in public settings or in the office;

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state laws, regulations, and standards for the management, storage and disclosure of confidential and public information and current principles, techniques, methods, and objectives of public information management;
• Desktop publishing software such as Microsoft Word, Publisher, Photoshop, and Adobe Acrobat to generate reports, brochures and multimedia presentations;
• Roles of local governments; the goals and objectives of news media organizations; and the strategies used in advertising, marketing, and promotional activities;

Ability to:

• Use public relations strategies and communication tools to conduct public information programs for internal and external audiences;
• Exercise good judgment regarding effective methods for communicating policies, practices, achievements, philosophies, political positions, and events to the media, the public, and employees;
• Develop, organize, and use public contacts and publicity and promotional strategies to promote community awareness and support;
• Write a variety of articles, news releases, fact sheets, and speeches;
• Facilitate multimedia presentations for diverse internal and external groups;
• Maintain electronic media such as the county website and social media outlets;
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
• Develop appropriate recommendations; and work independently;
• Use tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines;
• Perform technical, specialized, complex, difficult or basic technical office support work; compose correspondence independently or from brief instructions; compile and summarize information and prepare periodic or special reports; analyze and resolve varied office administrative problems; and organize, maintain and research files;
• Demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks;

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Information, Journalism, Communication, or a related field;
• Or a minimum of five (5) years of experience in public relations or related field is required;

Other Requirements:

• Must be available evenings and weekends;
• Must obtain and maintain a current valid Idaho Driver’s License;
• Must successfully complete a background investigation;

Essential Physical Abilities

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment and the employee in this class is subject to inside environmental conditions;
• May be required to lift up to 20 lbs.;
• Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to function in a general office environment to accomplish tasks.

DISCLAIMER:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or and expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.