Job Announcement

The Fairfax County Health Department is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents and providing services that promote population health, protect public health and the environment, and ensure residents equitable access to health services and information. We invite you to apply to become a member of our thriving workforce, together making a difference in the health of our community!

In collaboration with subject matter experts in the public health fields, and countywide communications partners, this position:

• Develops, implements, manages, and measures digital and health communications efforts.
• Coordinates health communications content for the health department's website using Drupal and other tools.
• Creates diverse social media content (videos, graphics, infographics) using Hootsuite, video software, and Adobe platforms.
• Provides digital platform expertise and guidance to agency personnel.
• Manages public health and safety communications training modules.
• Maintains knowledge of health-related topics like social determinants, risk communication, and health literacy.
• Collaborates with internal agency personnel, experts, and IT staff on web-based tools.
• Establishes guidelines, policies, and communications content calendars.
• Serves as a photographer, videographer, and content developer at events.
• Supports emergency communications and handles media inquiries during health incidents.
• Participates in agency-wide and program-specific public information efforts.
• Ensures online information is plain language, 508 compliant, and accessible.
• Acts as an on-call for public health incidents and supports the incident command team.

Position works under the supervision of the Director of Communications/Public Safety Information Officer IV.

Illustrative Duties

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 media;
Coordinates and provides information regarding emergency incidents and other sensitive matters to the news media;
Acts as official County spokesperson before representatives of print and/or broadcast media, handling the more sensitive and/or controversial issues;
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 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;
Supervises the office administration function that includes purchasing, personnel, and
administrative reporting and budget preparation;
May interact directly with the Board of Supervisors and County Executive's Office on behalf of the department.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of public safety area of expertise:
fire and safety, police, public health, emergency management;
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 public safety issues and local government operations;
Knowledge of new media and its applications;
Knowledge of the department and operation of the County government and its departments and agencies;
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 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;
Ability to speak extemporaneously on a broad variety of County-related issues and occurrences;
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with County government officials and representatives of the media.

Employment Standards

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
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, journalism, public relations or related field or field of public safety specialization (fire, police, health, safety), plus at least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in supervision which includes 3 years as a media or communications professional or first responder communicator to include two years of social media experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Possession of a valid motor vehicle driver's license.
CPR within 60 days of hire
AED within 60 days of hire

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience as a communications specialist, marketing and/or content developer for government or nonprofit organizations; specifically: expertise in developing, supporting, and maintaining digital communications platforms.
• Experience in the fields of public health and/or public safety.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is generally sedentary in nature, and requires walking, standing, sitting (for long periods of time), and kneeling, reaching, bending, climbing stairs; may be required to lift or carry up to 25 lbs. occasionally. Uses hands to grasp, handle, or feel. Visual acuity is required to read data on a computer monitor; ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and computer; and touchscreen electronics. Position frequently communicates and must be able to exchange accurate information with other verbally and in writing. Generally, works in an office environment yet may occasionally be required to perform job duties outside of the typical office setting (e.g. healthcare facilities, warehouses, shelters) including outdoor settings in all-weather conditions and nighttime hours. Ability to drive a motor vehicle.. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a child protective services registry, and a driving records check to the satisfaction of the employer.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview, may include written 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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