Community Relations Director

Salary: Depends on Qualifications Location : Community Relations, NC Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 154-2024-1098 Department: Community Relations Opening Date: 11/12/2024 Closing Date: 12/12/2024 11:59 PM Eastern General Description The Community Relations Department has an opening for a Community Relations Director. The Community Relations Director is responsible for building strong relationships between County government and its communities, promoting public understanding of County government, and effectively communicating information to residents, stakeholders, and the media. To achieve this goal, the Director develops, implements, and oversees community outreach and engagement initiatives and coordinates with department community engagement and communications staff to ensure that County programs, services, and information are accessible and well-communicated. The Director acts as a liaison between the community and County government, promoting transparency, fostering trust, and addressing public concerns to support a collaborative relationship between government and residents using direct engagement, social media, and traditional media. The Community Relations Department currently consists of 3 full-time equivalent employees and operates with a $480,000 budget. The Community Relations Director works under the general direction of the County Manager with considerable flexibility to exercise independent judgment within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work, and in making recommendations for work improvements enhancing communication and efficiency. Supervision over others is required of this position. Position does related work as required. Orange County is a progressive and dynamic organization and operates under a County Manager form of government. The County is regarded as fiscally responsible, stable, well-managed and technically advanced. The County is a leader in sustainability, social justice, and collaboration. Orange County is committed to providing best in class services that better serve our residents, prepare for the future, and fulfill our commitment to a visionary, equitable, sustainable, innovative, and efficient County government. work location: 300 W Tryon St, Hillsborough, NC A background check is required. Salary is commensurate with education and experience. Full Performance of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Click the link below for full job specification which includes essential functions, knowledge, skills, abilities and physical requirements. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/orangecountync/classspecs/854463 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in public administration, journalism, marketing, public relations, communications, or a closely related field AND four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in public communication operations AND two (2) years of work experience of the direct supervision of others, OR An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined above. A higher degree does not substitute for work experience. Must have the following characteristics: A compassionate and collaborative professional leader who can develop and mentor capable and professional staff and manage multiple projects concurrently. A commitment to reaching all residents in the County including non-English speaking residents and those who have been traditionally underserved. A commitment to serving as an integral part of the County's management team and being approachable and open. An ongoing awareness of current events, trends and issues to provide timely and helpful information to the public and policy makers as they review both challenges and opportunities in the County and its communities. A strong communicator with excellent written and oral communications skills. A seasoned professional leader who can "hit the ground running". A person of the highest integrity both personally and professionally. A commitment to providing exceptional customer service to internal and external customers. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Possession of or ability to readily obtain a driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated. All offers of employment are conditional upon successful clearance of a background check. Employment cannot commence until the employee has been cleared. A resume and cover letter is required with application. Must be available to attend meetings and events after standard work hours of the County and to assist and/or be present during urgent or emergency situations. Orange County is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer Orange County provides a competitive benefits package for permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees that includes: Participation in the North Carolina State Retirement System; Orange County contributes 13.64% of your base salary per pay period and 15.04% for LEO. Health Insurance (Medical) Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage health insurance. Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage health insurance. Dental Insurance Orange County pays 100% of premiums for employee only coverage for dental insurance. Orange County pays a portion of premiums for dependent(s) coverage for dental insurance. Vision Insurance Orange County offers vision insurance for employee and dependent coverage with premiums rates between $5-$15 bi-weekly. Life Insurance Orange County pays for an employee life insurance policy based on employees' salary up to $50,000. Optional Life Insurance for employee and dependent life insurance policy. Short Term Disability Orange County pays for an employee short term disability policy that provides income protection up to 11 weeks with a weekly benefit of 70% of your weekly salary. Optional Long Term Disability Coverage Policy Optional Insurance Policies: Pet Discount Program, Identity Theft Insurance, Legal Insurance 401(k) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans Orange County contributes $100 per pay period ($2600.00 annually) for supplemental retirement and you will have the option to select between which investment firm you would like to have these funds contributed to. 12 Paid Holidays Anniversary Leave ( 8 hours of leave on your anniversary each year) Annual Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule, pro-rated for permanent part time employees) 0-2 Years of Service 125.84 hours/year 2-5 Years of Service 145.08 hours/year 5-10 Years of Service 173.68 hours/year 10-15 Years of Service 202.80 hours/year 15-20 Years of Service 231.40 hours/year 20 Years of Service 260.52 hours/year Sick Leave (based on service years and a 40-hour work schedule) 96.2 hours/year Tuition reimbursement assistance Various other leave programs including civil, funeral, parental, etc. 01 Orange County is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States after completion of the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9). I understand, that if hired, my employment eligibility will be verified through E-Verify. Yes 02 I understand that resumes are welcomed but do not substitute for the work experience section of this application and failure to complete the work experience section will result in an incomplete application, which will not be considered for eligibility. Did you fully complete the work experience section of this application? Yes No 03 Please acknowledge that you have attached a resume and cover letter to your application. Yes No 04 Are you an Orange County Local Government employee? Yes, I am a Permanent Employee that has passed the Probationary Period Yes, I am an Employee but I have not passed the Probationary Period Yes, I am a Temporary Employee No, I am not an Employee 05 Do you have or are you able to obtain a driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina? Yes No 06 Please indicate your highest level of education from an accredited school. High School or GED Associate's Degree Bachelors' Degree Masters' Degree Professional Certifications 07 What is your degree major? Public Administration Journalism Marketing Public Relations Communications Related 08 If you indicated Related, please indicate your related degree major. 09 How many years of years of progressively responsible experience in public communication operations? None 1 year but less than 3 years 4 or more years 10 Please describe your progressively responsible experience in public communication operations. If no experience, enter N/A. 11 While this job normally follows a Monday-Friday schedule, the employee may be required to work outside normal working hours, including attending meetings and events after standard work hours of the County and to assist and/or be present during urgent or emergency situations. Are you willing to work this type of schedule? Yes No 12 Please indicate your level of supervisory experience? none Less than 1 year 1 - 2 years 2 or more years 13 Please describe previous supervisory experience in direct supervision of others. Required Question