Communications & Marketing Specialist

This position supports the County’s communications, marketing, public information, and public engagement functions through social media, digital content, photography and video, marketing materials, internal communications, website content, and other public information materials. This role coordinates internal marketing requests from County departments and department-based communication staff and may serve as backup PIO when designated during emergencies.

Department: Communications

Pay Grade: 95, Exempt

Starting salary: $64,073.81

Minimum Experience:

• Five (5) years of experience in marketing, public relations, or communications.

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or closely related field.

Certifications, Licenses:

• Must have dependable transportation.

• A pre-employment criminal background check is required.

This position supports the County’s communications, marketing, public information, and public engagement functions through social media, digital content, photography and video, marketing materials, internal communications, website content, and other public information materials. This role coordinates internal marketing requests from County departments and department-based communication staff and may serve as backup PIO when designated during emergencies.

GENERAL POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Collaborates with County departments and department-based communications staff to coordinate assigned communications, social media, marketing, photo/video content, and branding needs.

• Provides backup PIO support as assigned by the Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer.

• Drafts/edits/reviews communications materials independently to ensure consistent County messaging.

• Manages assigned day-to-day digital communications efforts, including social media management, website content, multimedia production, photography, videography, and digital public engagement.

• Identifies and executes opportunities to proactively communicate County initiatives, services, accomplishments, and events through traditional and digital media.

• Evaluates information/emerging issues to determine appropriate communications actions, including when to escalate, coordinate, notify the public, or respond to media.

• Coordinates with departments to respond to media inquiries, public information requests, and participates in on-camera interviews when designated as backup PIO.

• Maintains records and files of news releases and public service announcements; chronicles Commission action events, awards, and maintains databases related to County information.

CRISIS AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS:

• Exercises independent judgment in developing, prioritizing, and distributing real-time communications consistent with protocols during crisis/emergencies through County social media and digital platforms.

• Evaluates emerging events and information to determine appropriate communications (when to escalate, coordinate, notify the public, and respond to media) during emergencies and critical incidents.

• Independently evaluates and determines appropriate communications strategies, messaging, timing, and coordination during crisis and emergency situations.

• Serves as designated backup Public Information Officer (PIO), responds to media inquiries, and participates in on-camera interviews when designated by Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer.

COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND MARKETING DUTIES:

• Provides independent recommendations and feedback to the Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer on emerging issues, messaging needs, and communication strategies and effectiveness.

• Coordinates communications initiatives, including development of promotional materials for internal and external audiences to support County programs, services, initiatives, and events.

• Independently prioritizes and manages projects/workload following County branding and messaging.

• Writes and edits special and periodic County reports, articles, and news releases for publications, reports, periodicals, or the press by researching and organizing information to explain, document, or promote County activities; assists with the design of those materials.

• Drafts, edits, and coordinates written communications for various internal and external purposes, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and consistency with County messaging standards.

• Develops marketing and promotional materials for County-owned venues and assists in promoting those venues to the public.

• Interview department officials and employees to obtain information about County programs; write and edit content for publications, news releases, annual/special reports, speeches, radio or television scripts.

• Supports development of visual aids, digital presentations, exhibits, and audiovisual materials for publication, distribution, and speaking engagements.

• Exercises independent judgment, strategic vision, and creativity in approaches to planning, coordination, and problem-solving related to communications projects and public information efforts.

• Other duties as assigned.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position has no fiscal responsibility or budget authority.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNITY RELATIONS:

• Promotes and documents ceremonial County events and public activities; supports logistics, messaging, and departmental coordination, and serves as backup County liaison for public activities.

• Supports Countywide fundraising and sponsorship communications, developing messaging and tools to support approved initiatives and projects.

• Responds to and coordinates responses to difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints to determine appropriate communications responses and when matters require escalation.

• Serves as Coordinator and Liaison for the Mayor’s Emerging Leaders Program.

COUNTY ORGANIZATION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represents the Department to other County departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinates Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.

• Provides quality customer service to individuals needing directions or assistance.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIPS:

• Reports to the Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer. Works collaboratively with County departments, elected officials, and external partners to coordinate communications initiatives.

• Serves as the first line of oversight for department-based communications staff, providing direction, coordinating projects, and reviewing communications work for consistency with County standards.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS – KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Public information, communications, media relations, and public relations principles and practices.

• Marketing, branding, digital communications, content development, and public engagement.

• Digital communications/engagement strategies and social media management.

• Photography, videography, graphic design, and multimedia content development and storytelling.

• Community dynamics: intergovernmental relations, civic organizations, and special interest groups.

• Current office practices and procedures and computer software consistent for this position.

Skill in:

• Organizational and time management skills to effectively prioritize and manage multiple communications projects, adapt to changing priorities and deadlines, and consistently produce a high volume of work.

• Writing, editing, proofreading, and tailoring content for multiple audiences and platforms.

• Photography, videography, graphic design, and multimedia production.

• Managing multiple digital communication platforms simultaneously.

• Coordinating communications and marketing needs with departments and communications staff.

• Evaluating information, identifying communications issues, and using discretion when making decisions that may affect County operations, public information, or public perception.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

• Adapt to shifting priorities and time-sensitive communication needs.

• Exercise sound judgment, make appropriate decisions, and work independently with minimal direction.

• Establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.

• Analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.

• Maintain confidentiality of records and communications in accordance with State and Federal law.

• Work the allocated hours of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a typical indoor office setting; and is mostly sedentary with periods of mobility and light physical activity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Level of responsibility subjects the incumbent to moderate stress due to interruptions.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS/ACTIVITIES:

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus. Will spend a large amount of time viewing a computer screen.

• Vocal communication and normal hearing are required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.

• Acceptable verbal and conversation skills to effectively communicate with others via the phone, at meetings and to greet and assist visitors.

• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.

• Work is primarily in an office setting.

• Use and normal maintenance of office machines, (copier, computer, printer, etc.).

• Frequent use of phone handset and repetitive use of hand & fingers to operate office equipment, use computer keyboard & computer mouse and to perform other office tasks.

• Ability to recognize occupational hazards in work activities and take safety precautions.

• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and is not a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may also be assigned job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Montgomery County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1966 (Section 1981) and 1964 (Title VI, VII,) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), Equal Pay Act (EPA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-employment Rights Act (USERRA).