Public Information Technician - Desert Recreation District - Indio, CA


DEFINITION:
Under general direction of the Public Information Officer, administers, supports, and perform audits, software updates and trains staff on Desert Recreation District’s proprietary recreation software (Active Network). Also keeps accurate records of revenue, enrollment rates, facility rentals, membership sales and any other relevant data available through reporting mechanisms in Active Network. Also responsible for supporting the Public Information Officer (PIO) in gathering District related facts and distributing them to the media, public, staff and partners as directed by PIO. Additionally, assists the PIO in production of printed, audio and video material about the District for dissemination to media outlets and directly to the public, and assists in organizing special events such as news conferences, ground breaking/ribbon cutting and awards ceremonies. Also assists the PIO in handling social media postings and promotions. The work required in this position may include an irregular schedule, especially when publicized situations or incidents affect the District.

Performs related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND/OR EXERCISED: Receives general direction from the Marketing & Public Information Officer.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Registration Software ( Active Network)

• Knowledge of all aspects of Active Network including, but not limited to: Activity Creation and Registration, Membership Creation and Sales, Facility Rental Pricing and Rental Procedures, Point of Sale (POS) Product Creation & Inventory, and any other module that is essential to the Desert Recreation District’s normal business practices.


• Responsible for all content in Active Network input by all District Staff, and shall ensure that all information is clear, understandable, conforms to a reasonable, universal standard and is capable of being used with relative ease by District Staff and District Guests.


• Conduct regular audits of information in Active Network to ensure that all information is correct (i.e. – GL Accounts, Online Registration Settings, Pricing that conforms with District’s Fees and Charges Policy Manual, etc.).


• Develop and conduct training for District Staff to use Active Network so that District Staff is familiar with “Best Practices”. Training shall be tailored to a District Staff Members’ relative employment level within the Desert Recreation District, and shall cover essential duties of District Staff Members’ job where Active Network is concerned.


• Work with District’s Information Technology Staff to ensure that all District computer equipment is able to work with Active Network software.

• Develop and regularly update Active Network training material including, but not limited to, Training Manuals, Webinars and any other relevant training medium.


• Keep all District Staff Members apprised of any changes that have occurred in Active Network through software updates or temporary malfunction.


• Responsible for addressing all malfunction issues in Active Network by either resolving issues internally or by utilizing the help of Active Network Support Staff.


• Shall be District Staff Members’ resource for troubleshooting issues in Active Network, and resolve said issues in a timely manner so as not to interrupt regular District business.


• Responsible for Active Network’s Online Registration Site (https://apm.activecommunities.com/desertrecdistrict) including aesthetic look, search function, activity registration and facility reservation requests, and shall ensure that all are easy to comprehend and use as intended.


• Keep detailed records of various data in Active Network that includes, but is not limited to: Revenue, Enrollment Rates, POS Sales, and any other relevant data that is important to gauge the success or lack thereof of any aspect of District business. Data shall be kept in a neat, organized manner that is easily accessible and understandable.


• Data shall also be presented to District Staff on a regular basis so as to keep Staff informed of trends or relative success or opportunities to improve of programs.

Public Information Support
Support Public Information Officer (PIO) in any of the following activities or tasks as directed or requested:

• Development of internal and external District communications, including newsletters, brochures, website, advertising and press releases.


• Places stories in media outlets, and participates in interviews with the media; coordinates media requests and press releases; manages effective relationships with regional media sources.


• Drafts content for social media postings and messaging; posts once approved.


• Conducts and coordinates assigned projects, research studies and special events.


• Composes communications on a wide variety of subjects requiring knowledge of District procedures and policies; creates, edits and prepares correspondence, speeches, media articles, press releases, technical documents, information packets, special reports and other communications.


• Promotes, organizes and stimulates good relationships with neighborhood and community groups and other local agencies; interprets and explains District programs and philosophies.


• Assures the absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, personnel records and District information.

Application Support

• Responsible for a variety of complex, technical issues in the operation of the District’s specialized business applications and recreation software applications, including but not limited to ActiveNet, and provides end user support in the effective use of these applications. Maintains back-end of software applications.


• Makes recommendations for future application upgrades.


• Create and configure new users in the online systems for departmental use.


• Responds to assigned support request reported by users in-house and with third parties regarding software installation and application questions, to take necessary steps to resolve those problems.


• Coordinates with other District departments in maintaining a positive team environment and good working relationships.

Training
Develops and conducts application training workshops for new hires as well as train-the-trainer workshops for supervisory staff on how to use ActiveNet.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS *[1] : *

Knowledge of:

• District organization, operations, policies and procedures.


• Active Network software.


• Current principles, techniques, and objectives of marketing, public information, media relations and community relations programs.


• Professional journalistic methods, including research, publication and presentation.


• Legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct for public sector employees.


• Local community resources and regional community services programs.


• Project planning and management principles.

Ability to:

• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking and familiarity with Associated Press style, as well as strong grammar, spelling, and punctuation skills;


• Dependable and highly organized with business maturity, discretion, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.


• Technologically literate with strong computer skills including familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe (including Photoshop), InDesign, and/or Illustrator and email.


• Photography and videography skills a plus.


• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills with high level of attention to detail


• Cheerful presence and people skills, with an emphasis on professionalism


• Think strategically, problem solve and show results.


• Effectively plan and manage multiple, time-sensitive projects and demands simultaneously with minimal direction and supervision.


• Be self-motivated and work independently while maintaining integration in a collaborative team environment.


• Work discreetly with District information.


• Lead and mobilize others to action by providing support, training, mentoring and evaluation.


• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.


• Operate modern office equipment to include, but not limited to, copy machine, Risograph, folding machine, fax machine, mobile phone, computer, scanner, printers and digital camera. Utilize computer applications (e.g. Microsoft Office) and data management applications for effective service delivery.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE / TRAINING: Any combination of education, experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities would be:
Education & Experience: Possess an Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of full-time work experience that includes significant work-related duties. Acceptable related work areas include information technology, database management, graphic art, publications, public relations, marketing, or design.
Certification/Licenses: Possession and maintenance of a valid California Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record is a condition of initial and continued employment in this position.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS *[2] : * The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
While performing the duties of this job:

• The employee is regularly required to sit or stand for long periods of time.


• The employee is regularly required to perform work on a computer, multi-line telephone, mobile phone, copy machine, fax machine, scanner and other office equipment, including calculators.


• The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel. Repetitive hand movement and fine coordination are needed when using standard office equipment.


• The employee must be able to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.


• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear since the employee regularly communicates with individuals both in person and over the phone.


• Intermittently, the employee must walk, twist, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, pull and/or push.


• The employee is occasionally required to operate a motorized vehicle.


• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.


• The employee is occasionally required to withstand outside elements (heat, rain, wind, etc.).

WORK ENVIRONMENT *[3] : * The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those and employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
Employee works in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. In certain assignments, employee may occasionally work near moving equipment and be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, biological hazards, and airborne fumes.

[1] The minimum qualifications stated in this document are a guide for determining the education, training, experience, special skills, certification and/or license which may be required for employment in this position.
[2] Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
[3] Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: $20.03 /hour

Required education:

Required experience:

• Information Technology, Graphic Design or anything related: 2 years

Required license or certification: