Communications Director (Public Safety Information Officer IV)

Job Announcement

The Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD) is a progressive public health leader serving 1.2 million residents from diverse ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds. With more than 100 years of leadership in the field, we are committed to promoting population health, protecting public health and the environment, limiting the spread of disease, and ensuring residents’ equitable access to health services and information.

This position leads responsibility and oversight of all external communications shared on behalf of the FCHD, in addition to assisting with coordination and execution of many internal communications materials. External examples include 24/7 response and support during public health emergencies, incidents, or outbreaks, communications strategy and support to all program areas within the department. Fields and responds to all media inquiries in a timely fashion and coordinates interviews with the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs and/or other county agency personnel as appropriate. Directs the department’s media relations, identifying media opportunities, and providing guidance to agency leaders/subject matter experts on handling interviews. Directs and supports website updates and organization, social media campaigns and daily management of all external-facing tools, creating topical communication plans, news releases and/or web updates, talking points, e-newsletters, agency reports, community letters, and creation of educational materials. Supervises communications staff and oversees the production and distribution of official FCHD publications, website content, and digital media. Serves as a member of the department's executive management team and functions as the department’s communications liaison to the Board of Supervisors, Office of Public Affairs, Fairfax County Public Schools, and other county and community organizations. The role has a clear understanding of social determinants of health and how these factors help inform and shape messaging. The position requires a clear understanding of risk communications, health literacy, health advocacy, and how to devise digital strategies for public health initiatives, through video, social media, and all county-approved digital outlets.

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.)

• 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;
• 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;
• May interact directly with the Board of Supervisors and County Executive's Office on behalf of the department;
• Provides strategic communication leadership for the department/division.

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.)

• 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 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 7 years of progressively responsible experience in management and supervision, which includes 5 years as a media or communications professional or first responder communicator to include four years of social media experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid driver's license.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification (Required within 60 days).
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification (Required within 60 days).

• Seven or more years’ experience in the field of public health.
• Seven or more years’ experience preparing news releases and publications, developing information programs and public speaking.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including demonstrated systemic and strategic thinking and leadership skills.
• Experience working with the media, for the media, or as a spokesperson for an organization.
• Digital communication experience, such as website design, administering social media platforms, video production, etc.
• Experience managing and supervising media and communications professionals.
Incident Command Systems (ICS) or other relevant certifications.