Public Affairs and Marketing Specialist II (15239, Grade 24)

Description

Are you a strategic communicator with a passion for public service and community engagement? Join the award-winning communications team at The Prince George’s County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to lead public outreach, editorial content, and marketing initiatives that support our mission of smart growth and community development.

In this role you will help to coordinate outreach activities and implementation of public events for various Divisions of the Planning Department, including helping to set up stakeholder community meetings and soliciting public input. One of your duties will include editing Department publications for accuracy, consistency, and style, and providing final printing approval. As a successful candidate, you will be adept with social media and skillful in producing in-person and virtual meetings, which are integral to our communication, marketing, and public outreach processes.

The Prince George’s County Department provides land use planning for the physical development of Prince George’s County, Maryland. As the second most populous county in Maryland, Prince George’s has a population of approximately 900,000 residents with 15 Metro Rail Stations and is home to The University of Maryland at College Park, WMATA Headquarters, UMD Capital Region Medical Center, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and Joint Base Andrews. Prince George’s County is also home to National Harbor.

Please check us out at: https://youtu.be/jaP9uJU53bg

Examples of Important Duties

Editorial and Publications

• Lead editorial review and production of departmental publications, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and style.
• Write and edit content for publications, websites, and print/electronic media.
• Provide final approval for printed materials.

• Develop strategic public outreach campaigns, including community meetings and stakeholder engagement.
• Interact with residents and community groups to identify needs and plan programs.
• Work with other Divisions to conduct and manage market research, analysis, and reporting.
• Coordinate and participate in marketing and communication campaigns to promote programs, activities, and services for the Department.
• Assist senior level staff with recommendations, development and implementation of marketing and communications plans in collaboration with other staff.
• Analyze campaign data and prepare data driven analysis based on reports and professional and easily understood correspondence.
• Drive Commission vehicles to participate in and direct community outreach forums and events.

• Assist with enhancing the Planning Department’s social media presence across all social media platforms ensuring content is timely, engaging, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Monitor social media channels for community feedback, questions, and concerns, and work with senior staff to craft appropriate responses when necessary.
• Create and manage compelling digital content across all platforms, including the Department’s website.
• Develop and implement social media strategies to enhance public awareness and public engagement with the Planning Department.
• Coordinate, produce, and support virtual meetings (e.g., Teams and Facebook Live).
• Maintain strong working relationships with local and regional news media.

• Implement an equitable engagement strategy to reach diverse audiences with various needs.
• Help to develop communications plans that ensure an audience-centric approach is applied for reaching diverse audiences. Ensure accessibility of communications (e.g., closed captions, translations, plain language).
• Remain informed of and ensure compliance with ADA and other regulatory requirements.
• Promote equitable engagement and inclusive outreach practices.

• Collaborate with internal teams and the Chairman’s Office to align messaging and branding.
• Draft news releases and arrange interviews.
• Maintain effective working relationships with local and regional news media.
• Collaborate with staff to develop processes and timeline for project completion.
• Ability to address questions, complaints, and public requests for information in a timely and professional manner.
• Prepare drafts and scripts for news releases and other public information.

• Skills and ability to network, build relationships, and develop and maintain community stakeholder relationships for the Planning Department.
• Ability to generate data-driven reports and analysis, and professional and easy-to-read correspondence.
• Ability to problem solve by selecting, organizing, and processing relevant information.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with contacts in a professional and customer service-oriented manner.
• Ability to plan and organize work for maximum efficiency and accuracy.
• Able to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Political Science, Marketing, or any related field.
• Two (2) years of experience in journalism, marketing, or public affairs.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) years.
• May require a valid driver's license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required of their position.

• Bilingual fluency and translation experience (Spanish preferred).
• Experience with community engagement and public sector communications.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and inclusive outreach practices.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, SEO tools, Canva , or similar and virtual meeting platforms. Graphic design and multimedia content creation.
• Strong editorial, graphic design skills.
• Familiarity with local government operations or public sector communication
• Strong social media and other communication skills

Supplemental Information

Class Specification: Public Affairs and Marketing Specialist II

Amenities:

• Telework opportunities

• Flexible Schedules

• Onsite fitness center

• Complimentary access to M-NCPPC gymnasiums throughout Prince George's County

• Free parking is available for employees

• Professional development opportunities/tuition assistance

• Position may qualify for federal student loan forgiveness assistance.

The M-NCPPC offers a competitive salary range of $63,891 to $113,151 (salary is commensurate with education and experience) at the Public Affairs & Marketing Specialist II level with excellent benefits including generous leave, extensive health coverage, deferred compensation plan, and employee pension plan.

The Prince George's County Planning Department is conveniently located in Largo, Maryland, near Metro and 495.

Subject to a background check, medical, drug, and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

How to Apply

Submit your resume, cover letter, and any samples to your portfolio through the M-NCPPC employment portal. Bilingual candidates with translation experience are encouraged to apply. This position may be subject to medical, drug, and alcohol testing.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of application at 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1).

M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.