Summary

Under the direction of departmental leadership, this position is focused on executing strategies that connect the Adams County community with the programs, services, and initiatives within CED. This position is part of the Long-Range Planning Division but works across the department on organizing events and meetings, building relationships, fostering communication, and promoting engagement among both the resident and business communities.

Description

What Success Looks Like In This Job

The Communication & Engagement Specialist provides strategic internal and external communications and engagement support for the Department of Community and Economic Development (CED). Under the direction of departmental leadership, this position is focused on executing strategies that connect the Adams County community with the programs, services, and initiatives within CED. This position is part of the Long-Range Planning Division but works across the department on organizing events and meetings, building relationships, fostering communication, and promoting engagement among both the resident and business communities.

The Communication & Engagement Specialist must proactively coordinate with other divisions, departments, and outside organizations, including cities within Adams County. This individual will also work closely with the County’s Communications Department, representing CED in coordinating broader engagement activities. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong technical abilities with website and social media platforms, and the ability to develop and implement successful community engagement strategies are essential to success.

Examples of Duties for Success

Develop and implement communication and engagement plans that are accessible to Adams County residents and businesses and align with countywide goals and strategies, including managing communication and engagement initiatives to support CED programs, projects, and planning activities.
Collaborate with other County communications and engagement staff to implement all aspects of public relations for CED, including media coordination, content creation, marketing and branding, and event organization.
Manage relationships and oversee work conducted by external agencies, consultants, freelance designers, and vendor partners on development of informational campaigns and project execution; manage contracts for vendors and consultants.
Identify key opportunities for sponsorship or participation in outside events to promote Adams County and elevate the organization’s reputation, particularly to enhance the work of CED.
Serve as the point of contact for CED for media inquiries and work in coordination with the Communications Department to author press releases and talking points related to CED topics.
Filter and redirect media toward existing businesses, government and/or project representatives, and partners using discretion and professional judgement.
Stay current on issues, services, programs, projects, and events within CED and gather information from subject matter experts to understand the services provided and adapt key concepts and messaging into communications for a variety of internal and external audiences.
Manage customer engagement for CED using various communication channels and technology to respond to public inquiries, gain efficiencies, and enhance communication with the goal of providing meaningful opportunities for community engagement.
Lead the management, acquisition, and appropriate modification of photos, design/layout, or graphics for informational documents, website, and various department communication materials. May include working with internal services and/or procuring external services and resources.
Initiate, plan, coordinate, and administer updates to CED pages on the Adams County website, the Economic Development website, and the Public Input community engagement platform.
Oversee newsletters, targeted email campaigns, news articles, and other materials designed to highlight community and economic development activities.
Exercise initiative and sound independent judgement to solve problems and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.
Act consistently with the customer in mind, responding to requests promptly and providing effective service and/or solutions.
Travel to and attend team and organizational meetings, events, and activities; coordinate logistics and facilitate participation as needed; and professionally represent the department and County.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No direct supervisory responsibility; may manage consultants and contracts

Qualifications for Success

Knowledge of:

Marketing, branding and public relations techniques used in community and economic development.
Graphic design/layout and print production methods.
Website content management systems and social media account management.
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to media content, including Colorado HB21-1110 and SB23-244.
Current programs in use by Adams County with a high level of proficiency:
- Microsoft Office Suite tools (particularly PowerPoint)
- Social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Adobe programs (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)
- Online engagement platforms (Public Input)
Contemporary best practices in community engagement principles, strategies, activities, and techniques to reach varied audiences.

Ability to:

Communicate clearly, accurately, and impactfully through oral, written, and visual methods with consistent and appropriate style and tone.
Develop and maintain effective interdepartmental coordination of information in a positive and collaborative manner.
Demonstrate project management skills to successfully prioritize and deliver multiple projects and meet strict deadlines.
Participate in the development of departmental goals, objectives, and operational protocols and standards.
Lead and coordinate content development for communication and marketing on behalf of the department.
Plan, coordinate, and execute assigned tasks in the annual work plan related to communication and engagement and manage associated budget and contracts.
Think creatively and take the initiative in planning and implementing projects and communications strategies to promote the vision for Adams County CED.
Demonstrate sound professional judgement and build a reputation of trust when engaging in sensitive development projects.
Understand the organization, operation, and services of the County and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
Establish and maintain trusted relationships with County leadership and elected officials, colleagues, community partners, and the media.
Foster a spirit of teamwork, innovation, and cooperation.
Represent the department in a professional manner in a range of settings.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the history, diversity, and evolving development of the community.
Organize programs and events to promote public engagement in the development of Adams County.
Respond and perform assigned duties in the event of a County-declared emergency, which may include evenings, weekend, or on-call service.

More Qualifications for Success

Experience:

Minimum of five (5) years of experience in community engagement work in non-profit, institutional, or government environments.
Experience working with a variety of populations and familiarity with tools to promote robust engagement including Language Access Plans (LAPs), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, and contemporary best practices for Disproportionately Impacted Communities (DICs).

Education and Training:

Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field.
Master’s degree may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
Bilingual in Spanish is a plus; language pay available upon testing.

Licenses and Certification:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid driver’s license.

Background Check:

Must pass a criminal background check.

Other:

Ability to work in a hybrid office environment; once established in the position, the current departmental policy is a minimum of 3 days in-office per week.
Regular local travel with occasional regional or national meetings and conferences.

Adams County complies with Colorado’s Job Application Fairness Act (“JAFA”). JAFA prohibits employers from asking individuals to disclose their age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation on an initial employment application. However, additional application materials such as certifications and transcripts containing this information may be required for certain positions; if such additional materials are requested, applicants may redact information that identifies the applicant’s age, date of birth, or dates or attendance or graduation.