Job Announcement

If you're looking for a position in which you can have a real impact in strengthening the well-being of individuals, families, and communities, Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) may be the place for you! NCS is seeking a dynamic leader to join our Communication Services unit.

Serves as the Director of Communications for the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Provides strategic communications for complex initiatives that have multi-department and countywide impact. Directs strategic internal and external communication. Provides crisis communication including sustained participation in the county Joint Information Center (JIC). Develops materials to be used in multiple platforms. Responsible for the planning, direction, and administration of internal and external communications, event planning and program marketing to support the mission of the department. Develops comprehensive internal and external communication plans on behalf of the department. Plans and implements photographic and media coverage of events. Prepares and makes presentations on behalf of the department to the community and county. Writes speeches for presentation to community and staff. Produces multimedia productions to support the goals of the department, including audio, video and online productions. Designs and implements print production projects, including internal and external newsletters, media releases, fliers, information sheets and brochures. Directs the department’s internal webpages, external public webpages, and social media accounts, including page design, content and promotion. In collaboration with department leadership and content area experts, responds to media requests. Conducts customer/constituent research for evaluation and measurement of communication efforts. Supervises the work of multiple Communication Specialist II positions.

Help meet the demands of a fast-paced communications environment and be a part of an organization that makes a daily difference in Fairfax County communities.

Note: The salary will not exceed the midpoint of the advertised salary range.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Develops comprehensive strategic communication planning on behalf of the department, deputy area, and the County;
• Supervises and manages other communications specialists within an agency;
• Plans and implements a Speakers Bureau or plans speaking engagements for a department or broader Deputy Area;
• Makes presentations on behalf of the department or system to community and County;
• Plans and implements event and meetings;
• Writes speeches for presentation to community, Deputy County Executive and County;
• Develops proposals in support of departmental or Deputy area goals and projects;
• Coordinates presentations before the Board of Supervisors;
• Implements and supervises the implementation of print production projects;
• Budgeting and cost control for communication projects;
• Conducts audience / constituent research for evaluation and measurement of communication programs;
• Leads the department's communication planning (strategic planning, action planning) team;
• May interact directly with the Board of Supervisors;
• Will interact closely with the County Executive's Office.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Ability to supervise and manage professional and paraprofessional staff;
• Ability to write for departmental publications;
• Ability to write content for Deputy County Executive;
• Ability to manage social media for the department
• Ability to write for multimedia;
• Ability to use current computer software and e-mail;
• Ability to problem solve;
• Ability to manage projects (including budgeting);
• Ability to communicate in a crisis;
• Knowledge of the methods for preparing information to increase the likelihood of its use;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with County government officials, regional officials, and potentially national and international dignitaries and government representatives.

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 or public administration or field related to subject matter expertise, plus 7 years of progressively responsible experience in a communication area of specialization, government relations, management, or area of specialization in which the department is represented.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background and Child Protective Services Registry check to the satisfaction of the employer. Additional Work Schedule Requirements: For special assignments/deadlines, alternate/flex schedule or comp time may be an option.

All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs will still be subject to the weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Direct experience in providing internal and external communications for local, state or federal government.
• Direct experience in using social media platforms to promote programs and activities for local, state, or federal government.
• Direct experience providing strategic communications for complex initiatives that have multi-department and countywide impact.
• Experience providing crisis communication including sustained participation in Joint Information Centers (JIC).
• Professional experience providing website design and content management.
• Experience with conducting customer/constituent research for evaluation and measurement of communication efforts.
• Ability to design and implement print productions.
• Experience supervising and directing the work of subordinates.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary in nature. However, incumbent may be required to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items up to 25 pounds. Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment, communicate verbally and in writing, and sufficiently mobile to attend meetings at various locations and make presentations to county staff and community. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel Interview and may include a practical exercise.

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. EEO/AA/TTY.