Deputy Director of Communications and Community Relations

Job Description

Posting expires: September 24, 2024

Salary range: $80,127 - $106,801

General Description and Classification Standards

Assists and supports the Director of Communications and Community Relations in managing and implementing internal and external strategic communications, marketing, and public relations programs to support the Department of Watershed Management's mission, vision, and values.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Under the guidance of the Director of Communications and Community Relations, assist in developing a comprehensive communication strategy to engage and inform, increase public understanding, obtain support, and maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders, community-based organizations, community members, advisory committees, government agencies, and media.
• Provides direct and indirect supervision under the leadership of the Director of Communications and Community Relations of assigned communications staff and consultants responsible for designing and producing communications for events, community engagement and outreach, project information, education, internal communications, and digital media.
• Oversees the content and continuity of the Department's social media channels and website with consistent and accurate information and messaging that positively reflects the Department.
• Assists with developing the Department's official responses to requests received under the Georgia Open Records Act.
• Collaborates with the Director in the planning and preparing speeches, special papers, testimonies, radio and television scripts, and other documents for the Commissioner and other Departmental representatives.
• Assists with coordinating media training to prepare staff, conduct media tours, and arrange speaking engagements for the Commissioner and senior staff as appropriate.
• May represent DWM as spokesperson to the media and the public; develops, manages, and implements proactive and responsive media relations programs; external messaging, including responding to press inquiries, producing press releases and statements of articles, and coordinating press conferences and media events on a local, state, national, and international level.
• Assists with managing communications with the communities impacted by the Department's initiatives and projects to understand needs and improve the communities served.
• Collaborates with the Director to develop and monitor the annual budget for sponsorships, merchandise, equipment, and materials.
• May interact with elected and appointed officials, community, and industry leaders,
• Serves as a proxy and contributing member of the DWM leadership team.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of prevailing best practices in communication, marketing, public relations, and emergency communication.
• Knowledge of municipal government communication preferred.
• Knowledge of water utility management preferred.
• Knowledge of design principles and technology utilized to deliver compelling information and persuasive messages to diverse audiences.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and business acumen.
• Ability to build consensus among disparate stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Ability to maintain composure and meet deadlines in stressful situations.

Qualifications - External

Minimum Qualifications - Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, Communications, Public Relations, Mass Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
• Seven to ten years of progressive experience with communication and marketing (or equivalent job experience). Minimum five years of supervising staff or overseeing stakeholder relationships.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Master's degree in business or public administration, Communications, Public Relations, Mass Communications, Journalism, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of municipal or other government experience focused on strategic communications and community-based communication (including media relations).
• Experience with crisis communications.