SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

PICKENS COUNTY

JOB DESCRIPTION – APRIL 2026

JOB TITLE: SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT DEPARTMENT

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB

The Senior Communications and Engagement Coordinator plays a critical role in proposing strategic communications initiatives that inform, engage and build public trust. This position supports countywide priorities through media relations, marketing efforts, public information compliance and crisis communications, while ensuring all messaging aligns with organizational values, brand standards and transparency requirements. This position works across both tourism and local audiences, driving positive economic impact by generating new tourists through strategic advertising and keeping residents informed through public information and education. In an emergency, this role supports a critical function by serving as a Public Information Officer, delivering timely, effective communication that could impact public safety and wellbeing.
ESSENTIAL TASKS
· Monitors local and regional media coverage, identifies emerging issues and provides timely recommendations regarding communication strategies and reputational risks; Strengthens media relations through coordination of press conferences, media interviews and statements
· Identifies tourism and services-related marketing opportunities; compiles advertiser data and reports to forecast return on investment; works directly with advertisers to assess how it fits with marketing budget; makes recommendations for projected highest return on investment advertising opportunities; develops advertisements that meets advertiser criteria
· Fulfills Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, complying with applicable laws and County policies
· Supports crisis and emergency communication efforts, including participation in the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in the emergency support function of Public Information Officer (PIO)
· Collaborates with County departments to identify communication needs and develop strategies that effectively inform and engage the public, including but not limited to social media training, coaching for media interview preparedness, creating signage for department/office/facility and crafting department-specific marketing strategies
· Ensures all communications reflect the County’s brand standards, values and commitment to transparency
· Designs and creates multimedia advertisements
· Supports the Director of Communications and Engagement in advancing strategic initiatives, special projects and communications priorities
ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
· Performs other related duties as required
· Serves as part of an on-call Public Information Officer (PIO) rotation to assist with emergency communications as assigned
ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS:
It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.
INVOLVEMENT WITH DATA, PEOPLE, AND THINGS
DATA INVOLVEMENT:
Requires coordinating or determining time, place or sequence of operations or activities based on analysis of data or information and may implement and report on operations and activities.
PEOPLE INVOLVEMENT:
Requires giving information, guidance, or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants.
INVOLVEMENT WITH THINGS:
Requires handling or using machines, tools, or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones, or other similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner. Duties also require the operation of media and communication equipment, including digital cameras, microphones, tripods, and lighting.
COGNITIVE REQUIREMENTS
REASONING REQUIREMENTS:
Requires performing coordinating work involving guidelines and rules with constant problem-solving.
MATHEMATICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Requires using addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, and/or calculating ratios, rates and percentages.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:
Requires reading journals, manuals, and professional publications; speaking informally to groups of co-workers, staff in other organizational agencies, general public, people in other organizations; composing original reports, scripts, articles, press releases, brochures, and other publication materials using proper language, punctuation, grammar, and style.
MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Requires doing clerical, manual or technical tasks requiring a wide range of procedures and requiring intensive understanding of a restricted field or complete familiarity with the functions of a unit or small division of an operating agency; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure.
VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE PREPARATION
VOCATIONAL/EDUCATIONAL PREPARATION:
Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, marketing, communications or a closely related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Two (2) years of related work experience preferred. Journalism and/or local government communications experience highly desirable.
SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:
Must possess a valid state driver's license.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT REQUIREMENTS
PHYSICAL AND DEXTERITY REQUIREMENTS:
Requires sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to ten (10) pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations. May involve occasional moving or lifting materials up to (25) pounds, bending, stopping, reaching or kneeling while adjusting media equipment.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:
Daily job risks exposure to no known environmental hazards within the office setting. Occasional environmental hazards when field reporting for public messaging are necessary; extreme heat, cold, and all potential weather exposures.
SENSORY REQUIREMENTS:
The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing and speaking ability, color perception, and depth perception.
JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS
JUDGMENTS AND DECISIONS:
Requires being responsible to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting the individual, coworkers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but many variations from the routine.
ADA COMPLIANCE
Pickens County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
DISCLAIMER: This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Pay: $27.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person