Job Announcement

Fairfax County is a dynamic community with 1.1 million residents, an award-winning park system, a top-notch school system, safe neighborhoods, and bustling town centers. At the heart of the community is the nationally recognized leader, the Fairfax County Park Authority.? A large and complex park system encompassing over 24,000 acres of land, 420 parks, an estimated 18 million park visitors, 500 full-time employees, 2,500 seasonal employees and over 2,000 volunteers.

Works under the supervision of the Deputy Director/Chief of Business Development, the Marketing and Communications Director (MCD) (Information Officer IV) oversees a diverse team of professionals to support the agency’s multi-faceted marketing and communications programs. Develops and manages a Strategic Communications Plan for the agency, provides leadership in the agency’s community outreach and engagement efforts and ensures a focus on equity initiatives is addressed throughout the work of the Marketing and Communications Office. As a member of the agency’s senior management team, establishes operational objectives designed to aid high quality service delivery and achieve Park Authority marketing, communications, and community engagement goals. Oversees the development of a comprehensive market research program and the agency’s overall marketing strategy plan, to include corporate and site and program-level marketing efforts. Leads the development and management of the Park Authority’s website and social media presence, to include digital media and advertising programs. Directs the work of print and electronic media production staff, including the production of the quarterly marketing magazine and a wide range of other video and photography projects.

Responsibilities include developing and managing a Strategic Communications Plan for the agency. Functions as a member of the Senior Management Team. Creates and maintain a proactive and prolific community engagement program and ensures a focus on equity initiatives is addressed throughout the work of the Marketing and Communications Office. Implements a system that enables the Park Authority to track, analyze, and evaluate marketing, promotions, and community engagement performance. Able to provide dynamic presentations to senior leadership, public audiences, board members and other officials. Assists the Park Authority Board in facilitation of policy, initiatives, and public education on a variety of topics. Creates synergy between all agency divisions, sites, and programs and facilitates monthly Communicator’s Meetings as well as recommending appropriate training. Serves as a liaison to the County’s Director of Communications and the Office of Public Affairs and maintains national and local park and recreation affiliations. Supervises a team of marketing and communications professionals with at least five direct reports. Leads the development and management of the Park Authority’s website and social media presence, to include digital media and advertising programs. Directs the work of print and electronic media production staff, including the production of the quarterly marketing magazine and a wide range of other video and photography projects. Oversees compliance with Commission on Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agency (CAPRA) standards.

Note: Effective July 2, 2022, compensation plans will be increased by 4.01% (market rate adjustment).

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

• Serves on 24-hour call, with responsibility for notifying County officials of significant incidents;
  
• Makes decisions under pressure and deadlines regarding information that may be released to the press;
  
• Coordinates and provides information regarding emergency incidents and other sensitive matters for distribution to the news media;
  
• Plans, directs, and executes publicity campaigns designed to inform citizens about various
  
• county programs, events or legislation;
  
• Supervises the work of subordinates engaged in public information and other communication activities;
  
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the media;
  
• Responds to requests for information regarding agency/County programs;
  
• Provides assistance to agency/County staff as to the most effective means of communicating information to the general public, government employees, and other target groups;
  
• Monitors and edits County's website content for style, accuracy, and timeliness;
  
• Coordinates electronic FOIA issues;
  
• Serves as liaison to vendors, county agencies, and others regarding county activities;
  
• Serves as contact for international, national, and local dignitaries, senior management, and others who desire information about the County initiatives;
  
• Plans and executes marketing programs to inform the public about County initiatives;
  
• Conducts presentations to County management and Board of Supervisors;
  
• Supervises and evaluates the implementation of effective use of online media on behalf of the county;
  
• Participates in crisis and risk communication management;
  
• Supervision and participation in developing and completing media relations, marketing
  
• communication, and public relations programming that support the County's mission and vision;
  
• Leads strategic communication planning for county-wide initiatives;
  
• Researching and developing communication policy to support countywide strategic
  
• communication programs;
  
• Conducts audience/constituent research on projects.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all- inclusive list.)

• Detailed knowledge of the requirements of the media regarding content, format, and timing of official releases;
  
• Broad knowledge of the principles of public administration and public relations as applied to local government operations;
  
• Knowledge of new media and its applications;
  
• Ability to plan and execute photographic coverage of complex events;
  
• Ability to adapt broadly defined policy guidance to specific situations with a minimal amount of supervision;
  
• Ability to work independently and under pressure;
  
• Ability to participate in meaningful interchange of views on matters of critical importance to the County;
  
• Ability to plan and review the work of others;
  
• Ability to lead and manage a staff to meet departmental objectives;
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, the press, and County employees;
  
• Knowledge and expertise in crisis communication planning and implementation.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Bachelor's degree in communication related discipline plus at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in the related field, government relations, and management.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Significant experience managing marketing and communications for a large parks and recreation agency. Ability to manage a multitude of tasks and initiatives simultaneously. Experience in developing equity focused community engagement initiatives. Successful management of previous large-scale marketing initiatives. Ability to create a cohesive team ethos and collaborative culture. Knowledge of best practices in social media, internet, email marketing, and other promotional/informational platforms. Well-versed with the requirements of the First Amendment, Open Meetings Act, Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and other policies relevant to communications and marketing for governmental entities. Willingness to work outside of traditional business hours as required.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
• Driver's License (Required)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, child protective services registry check, and driver's license check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Sedentary with walking and lifting of 20 lbs. (speakers, podium, etc.) routinely. All duties may be performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.