Communications Manager (communications Specialist I)

Job Announcement

Do you have a passion for purpose-driven communication and digital storytelling? Fairfax County Department of Animal Sheltering is seeking a Communications Manager with experience in public relations and social media to support our work at both our animal sheltering campuses: Lorton Campus (opening Fall 2023) Michael R Frey Campus on West Ox Road.

The Communications Manager oversees the Department of Animal Sheltering’s communication initiatives and programs, under general supervision of the Animal Shelter Director. This position is responsible for advancing and promoting DAS’s brand, mission, people, and pets, including developing a communications strategy, creating a wide variety of content, and supporting special events.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Formulates, recommends, develops, and issues new materials for print, online, and other avenues.
• Collaborates with Animal Shelter program managers to ensure accuracy and consistency of information and messaging.
• Manages content planning, creation, delivery, and engagement for DAS's social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
• Collaborates with other county agencies and stakeholders as needed.
• Develops and executes social media plans to support high priority initiatives as well as daily operations.
• Analyzes social media data/metrics and insights to measure success and refine future initiatives to enhance success of agency.
• Prepares media pitches, media advisories, press releases, and interview talking points/scripts in promotion of DAS programs and events.
• Assists with responses to media inquiries, conducts targeted media pitching, and facilitates and plans media interviews.
• Develops positive relationships with local and regional media outlets and journalists.
• Works collaboratively with the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs.
• Learns all aspects of Shelter operations to be able to communicate effectively and accurately.
• Serves on the Shelter Management Team and Animal Review Team.
• Plans and participates in Outreach Team opportunities, events, and programs.
• Drives personal or county vehicle for special events, outreach events, and travel between Fairfax Shelter and Lorton Shelter Campuses to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization.
• Serves as the lead in collaborating with Shelter Management Team in developing messaging and communication plans for adoption promotions and events.
• Collaborates with key stakeholders to support their communication needs, including the Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter.
• Stays up to date on industry best practices and adjusts content strategy as necessary.
• May perform other related duties to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization.

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.

Note: May be required to work shifts and/or be transferred to any Department of Animal Sheltering facility.

Salary: The salary offer will be in the minimum to midpoint ($54,421.54 to $72,561.84), of the advertised compensation range. Promotional rules apply for current Fairfax County Government and Fairfax County Public Schools employees.

Schedule: This position requires flexible scheduling for agency and program needs, including evenings and weekends, and to be available on occasional holidays.

Illustrative Duties

• Implements photographic coverage of events;
  
• Implements a speaker's bureau;
  
• Makes presentations on behalf of the department to community and by County officials;
  
• Implements event and meetings;
  
• Writes speeches for presentation to community and County;
  
• Writes proposals in support of departmental goals and projects;
  
• Produces multimedia productions to support the goals of the department (multimedia may include audio, video or online productions);
  
• Implements print production projects;
  
• Serves as a member of the department's communication planning (strategic planning, action planning) team;
  
• Makes public presentations on behalf of department;
  
• 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;
  
• May supervise the work of administrative or paraprofessional staff in bringing projects to completion.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• 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 use current computer software and e-mail systems;
  
• Ability to develop or create web sites;
  
• Ability to consult with management and other staff;
  
• Ability to solve problems;
  
• Ability to supervise projects;
  
• Ability to manage a budget;
  
• Ability to work under pressure;
  
• Ability to adapt broadly defined policy guidance to specific situations with a minimal amount of supervision;
  
• Ability to work 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 establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, the press, and County employees.

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 a related field, plus three years of progressively responsible experience in communication area of specialization.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license (Required at the time of application)
Fear Free Shelter Certification (Required within 3 months)

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five or more years of experience working in an animal-related capacity.
• Five or more years of experience developing a communications strategy and formulating and implementing plans for communication programs and projects for an animal welfare organization.
• Five or more years of experience creating content material in print, online, and social media; proofreading and editing materials; planning and conducting special events; developing and preparing reports; producing and facilitating production of multimedia items; making public presentations; and acting as media contact.
• Five or more years of experience preparing media pitches, media advisories, press releases, and interview talking points/scripts in promotion of DAS programs and events.
• Experience using Microsoft programs and the Shelter data management software, PetPoint.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Walk, stand, sit, bend, kneel, stoop, crawl, climb stairs, and be comfortable doing these activities for extended periods of time; lift, carry, and move up to 50 pounds; use hands to grasp, handle, and feel; and talk, see, and hear.
• Handle, move, and restrain animals of various species, sizes, conditions, and temperament.
• Maneuver safely in kennels, dog play yards, cat rooms, small animal room, off-site events, etc.
• Converse with volunteers, residents, staff, media outlets, and others in person, via e-mail, and on the phone. Make presentations in person and virtually.
• Create materials and operate equipment necessary to complete work tasks. Drive personal or county vehicle for special events, outreach events, and travel between Fairfax Shelter and Lorton Shelter Campuses to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization.
• Visual acuity to read standard text and data on a computer monitor. Operate keyboard-driven equipment.
• Must not have allergies to animals or animal supplies (ex: hay, peanut butter, etc.) that will impede working in an animal environment.
• Work a varied schedule, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and be available on occasional holidays.
• Pre-exposure rabies vaccination (Required within 3 months)
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

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.
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Requisition 23-01759