Summary
Description
Boulder County Office of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience (OSCAR) is seeking to hire a Communications Manager.
The Communications Manager will lead bold and innovative communications for Boulder County’s Office of Sustainability, Climate Action & Resilience. This position develops and implements strategic, high-impact communications initiatives that elevate OSCAR’s climate action services and goals, ensuring they are accurate, accessible, equitable, and resonate with diverse audiences. As OSCAR’s lead for press and media relations, this role oversees the creation and dissemination of timely, accurate, and engaging information for the general public, media outlets, and key stakeholders. The manager will align messaging with county priorities, manage crisis communications, and foster strong relationships with local, regional, national and international media. The manager will also maintain a leadership role in the network of local government climate communications professionals as we advance our regional efforts. Finally, this position will oversee community engagement strategies and creative content development while supervising a dynamic team of communications professionals and interns.
Boulder County is a forward-thinking local government organization with nearly 2,000 employees serving the needs of over 300,000 residents. From the peaks of the Rocky Mountains to the thriving agricultural lands and urban centers on the plains, Boulder County's 740 square miles include some of the most diverse, natural landscapes and smart-growth development along the Front Range. Our county's leaders and employees have long held a commitment to being stewards of our land, environment and community. From visionary open space, land use and sustainability policies to award-winning wellness and public service programs, our county government helps foster a vibrant, healthy and active community. As individuals and an organization, we value and respect diversity and center racial equity, striving for a high quality of life for all employees and residents. Our policies and practices reflect our dedication to providing the very best in public service.
This is a full-time, benefited position that will work Monday – Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm. This position will work out of 1325 Pearl St., Boulder, Colorado. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is exempt.
Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.
Hiring Salary Range: $97,080.00 – $118,392.00 Annually
Tentative Hiring Timeline:
- First Round Interviews: February 6th
- Second Round Interviews: February 17th
- Reference Check: February 24th
New employees receive an 80-hour bank (Download PDF reader) of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month (Must not have been employed at Boulder County during the 12 months prior to re-hire date to qualify). Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions.
Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information.
Examples of Duties
- Strategic Communications Leadership
- Develops and executes OSCAR’s communications strategy, delivering clear, impactful campaigns that advance climate action priorities and engage the public.
- Positions Boulder County as a recognized leader in climate action and sustainability communications through consistent, best-in-class strategic messaging.
- Ensures alignment with county goals, brand standards, accessibility, and language access guidelines.
- Develops OSCAR’s communications budget in collaboration with department leadership, ensuring resources align with strategic priorities and maximize program impact.
- Press and Media Relations
- Serves as OSCAR’s public information officer (PIO) and spokesperson, responding promptly and effectively to media inquiries with accuracy and clarity.
- Develops, approves, and distributes press releases, media statements, and talking points to ensure cohesive messaging.
- Pitches stories and proactively builds relationships with reporters, editors, and media outlets to secure coverage in local, regional, and national platforms.
- Coordinates media interviews, prepares county leadership for public appearances, and manages media logistics during events and announcements.
- Oversees crisis and emergency communications as needed to ensure timely and transparent updates that build public trust.
- Community Engagement and Partnerships
- Designs inclusive, community-driven strategies to prioritize engagement with communities most impacted by climate change.
- Builds relationships with organizations, businesses, and trusted messengers to foster meaningful partnerships and expand program visibility.
- Leads programmatic storytelling initiatives to amplify community voices and promote active participation in OSCAR programs.
- Represents OSCAR as a liaison between county leadership, internal staff, external organizations, and other government agencies to align messaging and support programmatic initiatives.
- Participates in relevant policy and workgroups to ensure communication strategies reflect and support evolving departmental and county goals.
- Content Development and Media Management
- Supervises the creation of content across print and digital platforms — including social media, web, press materials, and outreach campaigns — ensuring messages are engaging, accessible, and inclusive.
- Crafts compelling stories and visuals that translate complex climate science and policy topics into relatable, actionable messages for diverse audiences.
- Oversees website and digital platform updates to ensure accuracy, usability, and alignment with county guidelines.
- Program Support and Collaboration
- Provides strategic communication support to OSCAR programs, including public outreach campaigns, policy announcements, and other climate-related initiatives.
- Leads internal collaborations with county departments to unify and strengthen Boulder County’s public messaging.
- Participates in local, regional, statewide, and national partnerships to elevate Boulder County’s climate action leadership and best practices.
- Participates in cross-departmental communications planning efforts, ensuring consistent messaging and collaboration across Boulder County’s government functions.
- Leadership and Supervision
- Manages communication budget and relevant internal processes for operational success.
- Mentors, supervises, and empowers a team of communications professionals and fellows, fostering creativity, innovation, and professional growth.
- Manages contractors, vendors, and consultants to deliver specialized services, including graphic design, media production, and targeted campaigns.
- Promotes an equity-centered, collaborative team culture that delivers measurable results and reflects Boulder County’s values.
- Research and Reporting
- Monitors media coverage, public sentiment, and climate action-related cultural trends and policy developments to inform communication strategies and recommendations in close collaboration with OSCAR program experts.
- Provides regular performance reports on campaigns, media impact, and audience insights to OSCAR leadership.
- Conducts research on communications best-practices, trends, tools, and platforms to ensure strategies remain innovative and effective.
- Collaborates with Policy Team and OSCAR policy staff to monitors policies, programs, legislation, and ordinances at the local, state, and national levels to identify opportunities or challenges affecting OSCAR’s climate initiatives. Provides leadership with analysis and recommendations based on findings.
- Emergency and Crisis Communications
- Plays a key role in public communications during climate-related and other emergencies, disasters, or critical events, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
- May be reassigned to support ESF15 (Public Information) or recovery-related communications during county emergencies.
- Provides flexible support as needed, including reassignment to related duties or emergency roles during broader disaster response and recovery efforts.
- Performs related work, as required
Required Qualifications
PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of seven years of combined education and professional experience in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field, including at least one year in a supervisory role.
COVER LETTER:
- All applicants are required to attach a cover letter for this position
Supplemental Information
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
- Expertise in public relations, press and media relations, crisis communications, organizational communication, and campaign development for public engagement.
- Deep understanding of climate action, sustainability, and climate justice, with the ability to translate complex topics into clear, relatable messaging for diverse audiences.
- Proven ability to develop effective communication tools, including graphic design, photography, video, social media posts, surveys, reports, digital and print marketing materials, and training resources, to engage and inform internal and external audiences.
- Proficiency in delivering public presentations that clearly communicate research, policy, and program information to diverse groups, including stakeholders, media, and the public.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to oversee multiple campaigns, staff, and contractors while ensuring high-quality results.
- Ability to analyze trends, emerging technologies, and best practices across communications industry, including, but not limited to social media, media relations, public relations, design, video production, advertising, and marketing industries, applying insights to create innovative, audience-driven strategies.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience writing press releases, public comments, talking points, and storytelling pieces.
- Skilled in inclusive communication practices, including ADA compliance, language access, and culturally responsive messaging.
- Ability to conduct complex research and analysis of current events, policies, and media trends across local, regional, national, and international climate action and sustainability landscapes to inform effective communication strategies and public messaging.
- Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, and team-building skills with a focus on fostering creativity, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Ability to work effectively with other employees, the public, and representatives of government agencies, while maintaining culturally appropriate and inclusive interactions.
Boulder County is a workplace dedicated to supporting individuals and families of all types and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
