Communications Specialist Iii - Marketing And Outreach Manager

Job Announcement

The Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) seeks a skilled communicator to serve as the Marketing and Outreach Manager for the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA). The FCRHA is the preeminent provider of affordable housing in Fairfax County and is a nationally recognized innovator with respect to the development of new affordable housing, as well as providing safe and affordable housing to thousands of households in Fairfax County involving crafting strategic messaging, designing collateral and delivering to intended audiences through the appropriate channels and analyzing results and feedback. It also includes working with Fairfax County partners to develop video and online content to illustrate organizational stories for social media, website, and marketing to inform the community about the FCRHA’s programs, services and events.

The successful candidate will be committed to learning about the affordable housing industry and the programs of the FCRHA; will develop and cultivate relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including FCRHA Commissioners, HCD Executive Leadership, development partners, cross-departmental staff, and the media; and will develop communication strategies that align with the specific marketing needs of the FCRHA’s projects and programs. Most importantly, the successful candidate will tell the stories of the FCRHA’s residents in a way that emphasizes the importance of affordable housing and further elevates the work of the FCRHA in the community and at the national level.

Note: The Department of Housing and Community Development is committed to the One Fairfax Policy by intentionally considering equity when making policies, delivering programs and services, considering diverse ideas and perspectives, and communicating with transparency in the decision-making processes. Click here to learn more about the One Fairfax policy.

Illustrative Duties

Develops comprehensive strategic communication planning on behalf of the department and the County;

Supervises and manages all communication planning and programs for the department;

Planning and implementing photographic coverage of events;

Plans and implements a Speakers Bureau or plans speaking engagements for department;

Makes presentations on behalf of the department to community and County;

Plans and implements event and meetings;

Writes speeches for presentation to community and County;

Develops proposals in support of departmental goals and projects;

Coordinates presentations before the Board of Supervisors;

Supervises the production of all communication tools (print, multimedia, online) in support of the department’s mission;

Implements and supervises the implementation of print production projects;

Implements and supervises the implementation of website development and new media projects;

Serves as spokesperson for the department with the media;

Budgeting and cost control for communication projects that are supervised;

Conducts audience / constituent research for evaluation and measurement of communication programs;

May interact directly with the Board of Supervisors and County Executive’s Office on behalf of the department.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Ability to supervise the work of others in publication management, multimedia development, community relations or media relations;

Ability to write, edit and design for departmental publications;

Ability to write for multimedia;

Knowledge of photography and planning photography coverage;

Knowledge of appropriate standards and formatting for online media;

Ability to manage publications;

Ability to use current computer software and email;

Ability to problem solve;

Ability to manage projects (including budgeting);

Ability to communicate in a crisis;

Knowledge of the methods for preparing information to increase the likelihood of its use;

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with County government officials, regional officials, and potentially national and international dignitaries and government representatives.

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, business administration or field related to subject matter expertise, plus six years of progressively responsible experience in a communication area of specialization, government relations, management or area of specialization in which the department is represented.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

Not applicable.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Skilled in writing and editing for a variety of audiences.
• Experience developing communication strategies and strategic messaging that highlights the accomplishments of an affordable housing organization.
• Knowledge of low and moderate-income housing programs; affordable housing development and preservation; and community development programs and funding. Excellent verbal communication skills, including public speaking to a variety of audiences, including public officials and housing residents and participants.
• Skilled in the use of various types of content, including photos and social media.
• Experience working hand-in-hand with developer partners to promote new and preserved housing projects, particularly with respect to special events and overall messaging.
• An understanding of the needs of low- and moderate-income residents as well as strategies to highlight their successes in achieving self-sufficiency.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check, a child protective services check, and a driving record check.

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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, job entails walking, standing, sitting, climbing stairs, reaching and bending; uses hands to grasp, handle, or feel. Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor. Incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer. Ability to drive a vehicle. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with others verbally and in writing. Employee may be required to lift or carry up to 25 lbs. occasionally. Ability to work at various locations within the community. Generally, works in an office environment yet may occasionally be required to perform job duties outside of the typical office setting. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview; may include practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

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.