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Assistant Director Of Public Affairs Bureau (ps Information Officer Iii)

Employer
Fairfax County Government
Location
Fairfax, Virginia
Salary
$68,720.08 - $114,533.12 Annually
Closing date
Oct 31, 2020

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Industry
Public Policy / Public Affairs
Function
Executive, Management, Director
Hours
Full Time
Career Level
Experienced (Non-Manager)
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Job Details

Job Announcement

Participates in all aspects of the department's Public Affairs Bureau program, including both internal and external communications. Supervises social media and public information staff. Responds to queries from both the news media and general public, and initiates release of and disseminates information relating to department activities. Provides or arranges for interviews by broadcast and print media. Provides editorial content for publications. Advises and assists members of the department in dealing with news media representatives. Provides instruction in public information procedures and techniques to police officers assigned to the office.

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

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, 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Mastery of computer graphics and/or desktop publishing. Powerful understanding of social media such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WordPress. Experience in television production. Seven years of progressively responsible work experience, to include supervisory and budgetary responsibilities.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check, driver's license check, and public safety background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work requires the ability to operate keyboard driven equipment, to operate devices with tablet technologies, and to sit for long periods of time. All duties are performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

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 status as a veteran 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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