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Public Safety Information Officer Iv

Employer
Fairfax County Government
Location
Fairfax, Virginia
Salary
$80,764.32 - $134,606.98 Annually
Closing date
Dec 7, 2019

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Industry
Government and Public Services, State & Local
Function
Security Guard and Public Safety
Hours
Full Time
Career Level
Experienced (Non-Manager)
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Job Details

Job Announcement

The Fairfax County Police Department is seeking an experienced public safety information/media relations professional to lead the Media Relations Bureau (MRB). Fairfax County is one of the largest jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Virginia with over 1.1 million people. This urbanizing county has a history of stable political leadership, effective citizen engagement, and outstanding service delivery. Reporting to the Chief of Police, the MRB Director is responsible for providing critical leadership direction to the chief regarding public safety communications and supporting police staff in their engagement and delivery of the department's mission. Establishes the strategy, structure and management of a successful community engagement, and supports a philosophy that embraces a strong culture of transparency and accountability to all community members, including the media.

Specific Duties
  • Provides overall direction and guidance to the department's public affairs program, including leadership, with external communications efforts.
  • Serves as direct liaison with Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs and manages a team who is highly engaged in outreach efforts via social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, WordPress, and Instagram.
  • Coordinates and/or conducts training in media relations and public affairs tasks for members of the department.
  • Provides oversight and guidance to the operation of the crime solvers program and overall community/media information release efforts.
  • 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.
  • Plans, directs, and executes publicity campaigns designed to inform citizens about various county programs, events or legislation.
  • Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the media;
  • Responds to requests for information regarding agency/county programs.
Skills and Abilities
  • Knowledge of public safety area of expertise: fire and safety, police, public health, emergency management.
  • Knowledge of the principles and methods of public affairs work.
  • Ability to write clear, concise and effective informational material and skill in editing written material.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of the National Incident Management System.


Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in management and supervision which includes five years as a media or communications professional or first responder communicator to include four years of social media experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience in implementing, and sustaining multiple social media platforms to engage and update the community.
  • Experience with the technical and business components of strategic communications including media relations, both day-to-day operations and during emergency situations.
  • Project management experience.
  • Ability to work with and communicate to a wide range of stakeholders.
  • Experience working with elected officials and government agencies.
  • Experience in managing a team of communicators and sworn officers to achieve goals.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
A valid driver's license is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work requires ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment. All duties are completed with or without reasonable accommodation.

NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee is required to complete a comprehensive public safety background investigation to include a credit check and driving record check.

Note: Based on SOP 04-006, all police department personnel are subject to random drug testing as part of continued employment with the Fairfax County Police Department.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview that may include an exercise.

It is the policy of Fairfax County Government to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability 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.

Company

Fairfax County, Virginia is a diverse and thriving urban county. As the most populous jurisdiction in both Virginia and the Washington metropolitan area, the County's population exceeds that of seven states. The median household income of Fairfax County is one of the highest in the nation and over half of its adult residents have four-year college degrees or more educational attainment. Fairfax County also is home to an extensive commercial office market and is a major employment center.

Fairfax County Government is a great place to work, with a variety of jobs in different fields, great benefits, and an enjoyable working environment. We serve nearly one million residents in one of the largest counties in the country. Our talented employees have established Fairfax County as a leader in nearly every facet of public service and have won national recognition as innovators in local government.The size of Fairfax County government and the diversity of services it provides to citizens allows opportunities for personal growth and development, without ever having to change employers. In addition to pay, Fairfax County Government provides an employee benefits package worth approximately 25% of your salary in additional compensation. This package of benefits consists of programs designed to protect you and your family during your employment with the county and into your retirement years.


BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Group Term Life Insurance
Contributory Retirement Plan
Deferred Compensation
Flexible Spending Account Programs
Long Term Disability Insurance
Long Term Care Plan
Tuition Assistance Program
Employees' Child Care Center
Virginia College Savings Plans

Fairfax County's Application Process: Fairfax County uses an online application process called NEOGOV at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/jobsfor nearly all positions.

Applicants who need assistance with the online application process are welcome to come to the Application Center at Fairfax County's HR Central where staff will be happy to work with you to establish an account and get your resume into the system. HR Central is located in the Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 270, Fairfax, VA, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Or call 703-222-5872 for more information.

For more information on applying, please click here - https://www.governmentjobs.com/home/applicationguide.

Company info
Website
Location
12000 Government Center Parkway
Suite 270
 Fairfax
VA
22035-0034
US
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