Summary

Serves as the point person for strategy, planning, and execution of communications, marketing, public relations, and public engagement efforts for the Aspen Pitkin County Airport. Manages day-to-day and long-term outreach initiatives to support airport operations and community relations. Acts as a strategic partner and advisor to airport leadership, consultants, and County communications, ensuring clear, timely, and inclusive communication.

Description

Job Summary

Job Responsibilities

Plans and executes strategic communications and outreach campaigns tailored to the airport, in collaboration with airport administration and communications consultants; ensures messaging aligns with both day-to-day activities and long-term airport development goals.
Creates, writes, edits, and distributes a wide range of airport-focused communication materials—such as travel advisories, press releases, stakeholder updates, social media content, and informational flyers—to keep passengers, staff, and the public informed and engaged.
Acts as the primary communications advisor and liaison for the airport, coordinating with airport leadership, advisory board, county departments, airlines, tenants, consultants, and the broader community to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information, including but not limited to construction impacts, service changes, or events.
Implements inclusive engagement strategies to connect with diverse airport users and nearby communities, gathering public input on airport planning and projects, and ensuring transparency around common ground recommendations.
Leads or supports airport-related crisis and emergency communications, acts as the County’s Public Information Officer (PIO) along with partners to deliver real-time, clear messaging during weather disruptions, security events, or other incidents.
Supports the relationship between Pitkin County government and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and County staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and County information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills

3+ plus of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, and/or community engagement. Experience with crisis communications, social media, and public development projects highly preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field is required; a master’s degree is preferred.
Knowledge of Emergency Support Function (ESF) 15 preferred or able to obtain within six months of hire.
Required certifications per department. Certified Public Participation Professional from the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) is a plus.
Must possess a valid Colorado Driver’s License and acceptable Motor Vehicle Record.

Knowledge Of:

County policies and procedures.
State and federal laws and regulations governing work performed.
Record keeping and records management rules and standards.
Fiscal and budgetary management and tracking.
Organizational and community planning.
Public policy processes.
Principles and techniques of public relations, print media, and journalistic style guidelines.
Professional and technical writing methods, practices, and English grammar and composition mastery.

Skill In:

Applying governing rules and regulations.
Handling multiple tasks simultaneously, under pressure, and in emergency and stressful situations.
Interacting with people of different social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
Following and effectively communicating verbal and written instructions.
Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers and other regional agencies.
Utilizing standard personal computer software programs and specialized State and County software.
Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

Work is performed in a standard office environment or virtually, as needed. Field work is required in both indoor and outdoor settings. The schedule may require immediate responses and occasional meetings outside of regular office hours, held during evenings and weekends.