Assistant Director Of Communications/Pio

The Assistant Director of Communications/PIO is responsible for assisting the Director of Communications/PIO in directing, planning, coordinating, and implementing a comprehensive internal and external communications program for Richland County Government that includes maintaining the County's credibility with employees, the public, partners, and the news media.

This position would support (and in some cases lead) key efforts that contribute to executing a comprehensive communications plan to include (but not be limited to) dissemination of County policy, programs and services to the public; tracking and answering media inquiries and facilitating media interviews; promoting County services and special events; writing/editing/reviewing news releases and other material for publication; serving as a backup spokesperson on issues affecting County operations; and supporting the Director in developing and overseeing the Public Information Office budget.

The position regularly interacts with County Council, elected officials, County employees, and representatives of print, radio and television media as well as the general public. This position may be assigned special projects and other responsibilities as required.

The position reports to and works under the supervision of the Director of Communications/PIO.

ESSENTIAL TASKS

The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Responsible for helping direct, plan, coordinate and implement a comprehensive communications program for Richland County Government on a daily basis to ensure the County's internal and external policies are communicated effectively and efficiently
• Responsible for managing projects via a project management system (and allocating related responsibilities), including incoming requests, ongoing projects, events, key campaigns, and related PIO happenings
• Responsible for managing some projects of the Public Information Office staff
• Supports the Director in developing and overseeing the Public Information Office budget, and meeting budget-related deadlines year round
• Acts as a liaison with County departments (and related partners) and assists with understanding, planning and execution of their communications and media
• Oversees the Public Information Office's Transportation Penny outreach efforts, to include incorporating outreach for this program into the office's overall public and media relations efforts
• Has a working knowledge of social media within the government sector; oversees and provides strategic direction of the County's social media platforms and approach; communicates with, provides direction to (and potentially manages) related social media-fo cused staff and a weekly content calendar
• Reviews, researches and updates news media policies
• Reviews the County website regularly for accuracy, identifying potential areas of improvement and assisting internal departments with related updates
• Prepares and provides responses to news inquiries concerning matters that might be controversial in nature, ensuring information and facts are transmitted accurately and professionally
• Acts as a backup County spokesperson to news media
• Reviews/monitors news outlets for County-related stories
• Responsible, on a daily basis, for helping further develop and implement the County's community relations efforts/program(s)
• Responsible for attending various meetings as necessary, with the goal of gathering pertinent information that might be of interest to the news media and the public regarding County operations to ensure appropriate and timely media dissemination of information to the general public
• Responsible for helping implement Richland County's strategic communication goals
• Has knowledge of crisis communications and related action plans
• Responsible for helping coordinate all County broadcast outreach opportunities, as well as developing and reviewing presentations
• Responsible for helping implement promotions and special projects
• Responsible for reviewing and ensuring Richland County's external brochures, print materials and periodic marketing publications are published and remain up-to-date
• Responsible, on a continual basis, for ensuring Richland County policy makers (i.e., Councilmembers and Administration) are informed of pertinent information
• Responsible for overall management duties of direct reports (entering/approving time, performance reviews, etc.)
• This position may be assigned special projects and other responsibilities as required.
• This position may be assigned occasionally to work nights or weekends.

DATA INVOLVEMENT:

Responsible, on an ongoing basis, for ensuring (or overseeing) a digital daily compilation of clippings of all news items pertinent to the County across all platforms

PEOPLE INVOLVEMENT:

The incumbent interacts on a daily basis with a variety of individuals and groups in the performance of duties, including the County Administrator, Assistant County Administrators, Clerk of Council, Councilmembers, elected officials, department directors, County employees, the general public and representatives of local media.

INVOLVEMENT WITH THINGS:

The incumbent must be able to use a variety of office equipment, including project management systems (such as Monday), and operate a Windows computer with word processing and graphic design software

COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS

REASONING REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent must be able to analyze and interpret media questions and inquiries, along with communications-related matters, and assist the County Administrator, Assistant County Administrators, department directors and employees.

MATHEMATICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to develop and administer department budgets.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent must have excellent oral and written communication skills and have constant contact with all levels inside and outside the organization for the promotion of County departments and programs.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires concentrated mental/visual attention for sustained periods.

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE PREPARATION

VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION:

This position requires a bachelor's degree in Journalism, PR or Marketing, or other closely related fields. Master's degree is optional but a plus.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

The incumbent may be required to periodically travel to different locations within the County and must, therefore, have a valid state driver's license.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent must have seven years or more of experience in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or Marketing, must be skilled in AP Style writing and project management, and must be adept at internal and external communications, written and verbal.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL AND DEXTERITY REQUIREMENTS:

This position routinely requires lifting and carrying weights up to 20 pounds, reaching, stooping and kneeling.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:

Work is performed in a normal office setting approximately 65 percent of the time, with little or no exposure to potentially dangerous or hazardous conditions. The remainder of the time, approximately 35 percent, is spent visiting other departments within the County and attending meetings both in and out of the office, which could pose a discomfort level because of weather conditions.

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:

Requires precise movements of fingers, hands, feet, legs and arms when performing such tasks as computer applications, typing, filing and answering the phone.

JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS

JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS:

Responsible for helping implement Richland County's strategic communication goals.

Starting Salary: $79,779.43