Public Information Officer

Public Information Officer

Salary

$83,567.26 - $125,350.88 Annually

Location

(Ramsey County Government Center) Saint Paul, MN

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2026-00443

Department

Countywide Operations

Division

Countywide Communications/ Admin

Opening Date

09/09/2026

Closing Date

9/24/2026 11:59 PM Central

Union

Unrepresented

FLSA Status

exempt

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

The current vacancy is in the Communications and Public Relations Department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department.

Ramsey County is hiring for a Public Information Officer (PIO/Communications Manager) to create, implement and oversee communications programs that effectively promote the work across several departments at the county. Join a dynamic, creative and passionate team doing impactful work that makes a difference every day-supporting employees with the information they need to do their best work and helping residents, businesses, partners and other stakeholders understand, access and connect with the services that matter most.

The PIO (Communications Manager) will support one of five service teams:

• County Operations
• Community Services & Supports
• Economic Growth & Community Investment
• Health & Wellness
• Safety & Justice

A key member of the Communications and Public Relations (CPR) department leadership team, the PIO (Communications Manager) manages a team of communications associates and specialists that provide strategic communications to all departments within a service team.

The PIO (Communications Manager) provides day-to-day leadership, direction and coaching to a team of communications associates and specialists. This includes setting clear priorities, aligning work plans with countywide communications strategies, overseeing project intake and workflow management, and ensuring high-quality and timely deliverables. The PIO (Communications Manager) also directly contributes to and leads communications projects, including developing communications strategies and campaigns, creating key messages and communications plans, advising leaders and subject matter experts, and developing communications materials.

This position serves as a strategic communications advisor to county leadership and staff, providing counsel on complex or high-profile issues and helping leaders effectively communicate with employees, residents, media, partners or other stakeholders. The PIO (Communications Manager) may lead communications for complex projects involving multiple internal departments and external public stakeholders, coordinating messaging, engagement strategies and communications activities across organizational boundaries.

The PIO (Communications Manager) will work with other department team members to respond to media inquiries and provide media engagement, crisis communications and response activities.

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once on this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

Flexible Workplace: Must be able to respond occasionally outside of regular work hours as needed.

This position is identified under the designation of 'flex work eligible', meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county's flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County's Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace Policy

Examples of Work Performed

• Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
• Assist in developing public information plans and strategies for increasing public awareness of services, activities and accomplishments; coordinate the gathering and analysis of demographic, market and other information necessary for formulating and evaluating the effectiveness of the overall public information plan; evaluate the results of public information activities and ensure that the public information plan addresses the needs and concerns of all the various constituencies and communities.
• Oversee the development of the various public information activities such as electronic, print, audio and visual materials.
• Oversee involvement in special events; public relations; presence on the internet and other electronic media; mass mailings, reports, signage and other informational and promotional documents; in order to ensure adherence to the organization's protocol and standards, and to ensure that a unified, consistent message/identity is delivered.
• Coordinate and oversee the organization's presence on the internet and other electronic media.
• Develop, produce and coordinate communication pieces for the public, employees and other audiences via several mediums including content for the web, newsletters, fact sheets, intranet, newspapers, media, and other communication vehicles.
• Oversee and produce internal employee communications including e-newsletters and intranet content.
• Serve as a contact and liaison with media/press representatives; coordinate with Communications leadership on requests from the press for official statements with respect to the county's position on issues/incidents of public interest; develop contacts with media, community and business representatives to promote coverage of county issues, activities and accomplishments, and ensure involvement by various constituencies and communities.
• Assist the Director Communications & Public Relations in identifying appropriate spokespeople (to include the Public Information Officer) and subject matter experts for interviews with the news media.
• Ensure a unified, consistent message/theme concerning the crisis/emergency activities is delivered and adheres to protocol and standards.
• Advise senior leadership in the establishment of policies, procedures, and protocol with respect to public relations.
• Produce informational products by working with outside vendors to ensure quality, accuracy and tone, locating and hiring skilled translators as needed, preparing bids for printed projects, and arrange for the appropriate distribution of materials throughout the county, region or state to improve communication and education.
• Develop presentations to brief elected officials and other county personnel about specific projects; make presentations to regional, state, or national audiences about communications issues.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelors Degree in English, journalism, marketing, communications, education or a related field.

Experience: Five years experience in public relations, marketing or a related field. Two years experience in a public (governmental) setting is desired.

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure: None.

Exam/Screening Process Information

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:

• Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Public Information Officer will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions -do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Eligible List: The names of all applicants who filed a properly completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Public Information Officer. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Candidates will remain on the list for 30 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.

Veterans Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veterans Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veterans preference should update their veterans DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employees Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application(Download PDF reader). You will need to print this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact: Lindsey.Hunter@ramseycountymn.gov

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf

• Medical, dental and vision insurance

• The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium

• Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance - three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity

• MetLife Dental Insurance - two plan options offered

• VSP Vision Insurance - Advantage Plan offered

• Pre-tax Benefit Program

• Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option

• Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts

• County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan

• Paid time off

• Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)

• 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays

• Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below

• Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)

• Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay

• Retirement benefits

• Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments

• New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years

• Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match

• Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation

• Transit and parking

• Fully funded Metropass.

• Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account

• Employee well-being

• Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.

• Wellness programming

• Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions

• Life Insurance and Disability leave

• County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available

• Long-term Disability - County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee's lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum

• Short-term Disability - option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period

• Career development

• Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year

• Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center

• County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Employee resource groups - help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues

For information about Ramsey Countys 2026 benefits, visit: https://assets.ramseycountymn.gov/files/2026-02/Total%20Rewards%20Guide%202026.pdf

01

• Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write "see resume" as it is not an acceptable answer. The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Select "yes" if you have read and understand.
• Yes
• No

02

• Select the option that best describes your highest level of completed education.
• High school diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

03

• If you indicated in the previous question that you have a degree, please describe below your field of study, the name of the school, dates of attendance/completion and type of degree. If you have other formal training and certifications related to this position, you may include that here. If you do not have a degree/college credit, please write N/A in the space below. DO NOT WRITE see resume or see application.

04

Which best describes your experience in public relations, marketing or a related field?

• No experience
• Less than 3 years of experience
• At least 5 years of experience but less than 7 years
• At least 7 years of experience but less than 9 years
• 9 years of experience or more

05

• Describe the experience indicated in question above. Include the name of your employer and provide specific details of the work you performed. Do not copy and paste your resume, a job description or indicate "see resume". If you do not have this experience, type "N/A in the space below."

06

Describe your experience in a supervisor position, performing such tasks as assigning work, providing work direction, monitoring performance, completing performance evaluations, setting goals, and coaching staff. Include in your answer the name of the employer you worked for, your job title and the number of people you supervised.

07

Describe your experience managing communications for complex projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders. In your answer, please include a specific project, what made it complex, your role, the communications needs involved and the final outcome.

08

Describe your experience serving as the lead communications staff member during an organizational crisis or emergency response. In your answer, explain the type of crisis, your specific responsibilities, how you collaborated with leadership and external partners, how you provided direction to other communication team members, and the communication strategies or tools you used. Include in your answer the name of the employer you worked for and your job title.

09

Describe your experience addressing situations where you and a partner agency, department leadership, or external stakeholder were not initially aligned on a public information or communications strategy. In your response, outline the common causes of misalignment, the methods you used to establish alignment and ensure accurate, consistent public messaging, and the results achieved. Please include the employer you worked for and your job title at the time.

Required Question

Employer Ramsey County

Address 121 East Seventh Place

Mail Stop 5200

Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101

Phone (651) 266-2700

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/ramsey/default.cfm