Summary
Description
General Statement of Duties: Represents the interests of the entire County Governmental organization in the delivery of communications and marketing of the County. Develops and implements strategies to inform the community, media, and key stakeholders on County information to include news, events, emergency communications, and County programs and services. Coordinates with all Division Directors and Elected Officials to provide communications support including advertising, marketing, public relations, and overall outreach in support of County programs and services. Acts as liaison to the media and community organizations to ensure they are informed regarding County business, strategies, successes, policies, etc.
Supervision Received: Receives general direction from the County Manager and exercises wide latitude in determining objectives and approaches to critical assignments.
Supervision Exercised: Is responsible for the efficient and effective operation of the Communications Division and Digital Communications department. Exercises supervision of Communications department staff.
Essential Functions: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class.
- Responsible for the effective supervision, overall management and coordination of the Communications Division.
- Develops and implements the county’s strategic communications plan according to categorized priorities. Directs the dissemination of public information through all outlets, including traditional media, social media, websites, e-news, print collateral, advertising and other mediums. Assesses new technologies and implements those that will advance the county’s communications efforts. Advises and works collaboratively with all offices and departments to ensure timely, clear and consistent messages are presented to the public.
- Develops and executes media and public relations strategies to advance the County’s brand identity, broaden awareness of County priorities, and increase the visibility of its services and programs across key stakeholder audiences.
- Ensure all content adheres to brand guidelines and is reflective of the county’s mission, vision, values, and unique voice.
- Oversee the creation of engaging content across digital and print media, including social media, website, news releases, and more. Ensure cohesive messaging and timely updates across all platforms.
- Leverage data and analytics to enhance outreach efforts, tailoring stories and strategies to expand the county’s reach.
- Provides oversight and creative direction for employee intranet.
- Proactively monitors activities and situations so as to detect issues before they emerge.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with the media and agency partners while providing direction on messaging and content, design, production, and distribution.
- Manages all media contacts and serves as the lead point person on media interactions that affect the County.
- Serves as the County’s Public Information Officer. Reports as designated Public Information Officer in incident response and is on-call to disseminate emergency messages as needed.
- Develops internal communications strategies and collaborates with Human Resources Division on internal communications.
- Coordinates and publicizes special events, news conferences, meetings, television and radio appearances, and other public events designed to promote County operations and events.
- Identifies the scope and magnitude of public policy issues and analyzes public response to county initiatives. Advises elected officials, county managers and peers on existing or emerging issues of community interest and/or concern. Facilitates the development and dissemination of messaging around those issues to support the county’s position and influence public opinion.
- Coaches the organization leaders on best practices for media engagement and provides talking points for staff and elected officials to ensure that accurate and consistent information is being disseminated.
- Spearhead strategies to maximize multi-channel communications including print and digital advertising, copy, design placement, and earned media.
- Supervises employees; interviews and hires staff; plans, schedules and assigns work to staff; establishes priorities; instructs and trains in correct methods; checks and approves work; reviews and evaluates employee performance.
- Effectively manages the communications budget.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or closely related field.
Experience: A minimum of five (5) years Public Relations or mass media communications experience or serving as a Public Information Officer.
Required Knowledge: Experience in media relations and crisis communications.
Language Skills: Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in a variety of written formats. Must be able to interpret, apply, explain and enforce all applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures to a wide range of audiences and levels of knowledge. Ability to assemble, organize and present statistical, financial and technical information derived from a variety of sources. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex and technical documents including contracts, maps, and complex management and financial reports and respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to read, comprehend and translate information relayed in written or graphic format. Must be able to write policies, procedures, correspondences and other types of documents. Must have the ability to write speeches, articles and manuals and create presentations using original and innovative techniques and styles. Must have the ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups and organizations and/or board of directors. Ability to prepare industry specific technical reports and budgeting information. Ability to effectively communicate with the public, federal, state and county officials, employees, community agencies and the public.
Interpersonal Skills: Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Work with the media to maintain a positive image of the County to the community. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must be able to diffuse the most intense situation with diplomacy and professionalism. Must have the acumen to navigate political waters of the County and other outside agencies and organizations. Demonstrate a commitment to the County’s mission, values and core beliefs. Provide guidance and feedback to ensure continual quality improvement and respect the experience, cultural and overall diversity of those you lead and interact with.
Mathematical Skills: Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Skills: Must be able make rational decisions through sound logical and deductive processes and make sound judgments, decision making, problem solving, while planning directing and monitoring the work of the agency. Must be able to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and recommend or implement best options in support of strategic goals and objectives. Consider concrete and abstract variables. Must have the ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in difficult and complex cases and present material in a clear and logical form, including oral and written presentations, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions. Must be able to successfully manage multiple projects and complete work under pressure pursuant to deadlines.
Office Technology/Computer Skills: Must be able to effectively use modern office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities. Must have extensive experience in word processing, database manipulation, spread sheets, and email with a high degree of accuracy. Must be able to learn the software and programs related to the position and the County.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, climb or balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must be able to respond to the customers’ needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other devices and objects. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects ranging from 25 pounds to 75 pounds, depending upon assignment. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Physical ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle to and from field and meetings as required. Ability to navigate uneven terrain. Ability to work extended shifts and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours and the ability to work in stressful situations.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates primarily in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. While performing the duties of this job, work may also be performed outdoors, and the employee may be exposed to inclement weather and emergency situations for extended periods of time.
Special Requirements: Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License and satisfactory driving record. Highly organized, work independently with self-motivation, and meet strict guidelines. Able and willing to attend evening and weekend activities. Ability to respond immediately to critical situations when required (day, night, weekend, holiday).
Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
