Information Officer III

Under direction, serves as the Senior Public Information Officer of the Public Information Branch with the Fairfax County Sheriff's Office. This position manages comprehensive communication strategies across traditional media, digital platforms, and social media, ensuring transparent and timely public information about the Sheriff's Office operations, policies, and public safety initiatives. Serves on 24-hour call with responsibility for notifying county officials of significant incidents. Plans, directs, and executes publicity campaigns designed to inform citizens about various county programs, employment events, legislation, and public safety measures. Manages day-to-day updates of the agency's marketing and communication channels, including the website and social media. Provides assistance to agency/county staff regarding the most effective means of communicating information to the general public, government employees, and other target groups. Conducts audience/constituent research to inform communication strategies. Develops a content calendar for social media, press releases, and community engagement initiatives; and performs other duties as assigned.The ideal candidate will have:Experience optimizing digital marketing channelsFamiliarity with paid media campaigns across digital platformsAdvanced knowledge of multimedia productionProven ability to manage real-time crisis communications across digital and traditional media platforms.Experience managing a content calendarFamiliarity with public safety messaging and best practices for communicating sensitive issues related to law enforcement.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: Bachelor's degree in journalism, government, public administration, or a related field; plus, six years of progressively responsible experience in public information, broadcasting, or publications editing.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Experience providing internal and external communications for local, state, or federal government, specifically law enforcement and/or the Sheriff's OfficeExperience providing public relations to local government operations and public safetyDemonstrated knowledge of new media and its applications, prior experience with large-scale professional media and communications plansDemonstrated knowledge of fundamentals of digital still photography and videographyDemonstrated experience developing professional relationships and working with the public, the press, and with County employeesAbility to collaborate with civilian and sworn staff to create an agency-wide strategic communications and media planAbility to coordinate with civilian and sworn staff to ensure intra-agency coordination and cooperation with agency communicationsAbility to plan and execute photographic coverage of eventsAbility to adapt policy guidance to specific situations with minimal supervisionAbility to work under pressureAbility to participate in meaningful interchange of views on matters of critical importance to the Sheriff's Office and Fairfax CountyExperience supervising the work of othersCERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:Driver's license (required)Notary Public-Required within 3 monthsNECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to the position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check, driving record check and polygraph exam to the satisfaction of the employer.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to utilize listed equipment. Must be able to use keyboard drive pc to input and retrieve information. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

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