Information Officer Iii

Job Announcement

Since 1977, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has served the Fairfax County community by enhancing mobility, safety, and the quality of life of residents, businesses, and visitors through planning, coordinating, funding, implementing, and sustaining a multimodal transportation system. FCDOT is seeking a senior public information professional for large transportation agency that includes a large fixed-route transit system. This position develops and implements comprehensive communication programs in a deadline-driven environment; handles media relations and participates in the planning, direction and administration of internal and external communications, community engagement, event planning and program marketing.

Responsibilities include:

• Serves as agency liaison with news media, and frequently acts as spokesperson for the agency.
• Communicates with the public through various media platforms.
• Develops and manages content for agency websites and serves as lead for agency social media accounts and other future platforms.
• Serves as lead communicator for Fairfax Connector passenger information, which includes web and social media updates for service interruptions and schedule changes, and web page design and content.
• Develops communications strategies for countywide Transportation Demand Management (TDM) issues and initiatives, which include Fairfax Connector bus service, ridesharing, employer outreach and other programs designed to reduce single-occupant travel.
• Coordinates Community Outreach and engagement.
• Plans and executes special events and ceremonies.
• Coordinates projects and events with partner organizations.
• Be familiar with best practices and trends in the communications industry.
• Serves on FCDOT FOIA Team.
• Serves on the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) and Office of Public Affairs (OPA) emergency teams; responds as essential personnel in emergencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

For more information on the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, please click here.

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 journalism, government, public administration, or a related field; plus six years of progressively responsible experience in public information, broadcasting, or publications editing.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree and seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, broadcasting, or publications editing.
• Direct experience in providing internal and external communications for local, state or federal government.
• Experience in effective community engagement.
• Demonstrated success in website development and use of social media for business. Detailed knowledge of web content management systems and HTML.
• Experience marketing transportation programs or services.
• Familiarity with multi-modal transportation, especially transit planning and operations. Knowledge of fundamentals of graphic design software, photo editing tools, and general publication standards.
• Experience supervising the work of others in publication and multimedia development.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to write for multimedia.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Employee may be required to do some walking, bending, and carrying items under 25lbs in weight. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a 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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.