Temporary Position

Community Relations Representative
County Executive/Office of Community Relations

Full-Time, Temporary Position

Estimated Start Date: January 2018
Estimated End Date: June 30, 2018

The Community Relations office reaches and engages with the community with an eye towards both high-touch (meeting people where they are) and high-tech (online feedback opportunities) strategies. The Community Relations Representative will address the day-to-day functions of the office (social media, development of written content, general research, community meeting logistics, synthesis of community feedback, etc.) assisting the Communications and Community Engagement Coordinators with general communications, community storytelling, and community engagement support. This position will collaborate cross-departmentally to assist staff throughout the organization to leverage the communication and engagement resources to meaningfully connect to and engage with Albemarle County’s residents.  Essential functions include and are not limited to the following:

• Assists with internal and external communications needs, including researching, writing, editing, proofreading and monitoring content for county website and intranet; social media; e-newsletters; press releases; media advisories; executive summaries, etc.
• Assists with communication and organizational needs for Board-appointed community advisory councils;
• Assists in the production of high-level marketing materials such as newsletters, brochures, reports,  posters, postcards, programs and advertisements;
• Works closely with other departments and functional teams to assess their web content needs and to insure accurate and timely content on the site;
• Serves on County Web Team and other cross-functional work teams as appropriate
• Assists with building the County’s organizational capacity to work with neighborhoods and citizen groups, including training and mentoring;
• Develops strategies to enhance information flow and citizen participation; works with staff to effectively share information, solicit input, and take action and/or respond to resulting feedback;
• Provides staff support to the County’s appointed community advisory councils as necessary;
• Utilizes established and evolving technologies like social media and engages Albemarle to promote two way communication with citizens;
• Creates and maintains various information and notification databases including web- based programs;

• Works with county employees, citizens and community groups on a variety of special projects and events.

QUALIFICATIONS:  Requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of an associate’s degree (bachelor’s degree preferred) in Public Administration, Public Relations, Journalism or English, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; experience in marketing communications is preferred; experience with editing and writing publications; understanding of public relations/advertising functions. Functional knowledge of MS Windows operating system. High proficiency and comfort level with various technologies. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, graphic design principles, and/or video editing are a plus, as is experience with event planning.

Exceptional oral and written communication skills; ability to work well with people; ability to work and perform under pressure; experience in the principles of public information, publications management, desktop publishing and other computer-generated communications; ability to make effective presentations to county staff and officials; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with county leadership team and other staff; ability to participate in staff teams in analyzing and improving website programs and services; exhibits strong leadership attitude in support of project, department, and County goals; ability to work effectively with minimal supervision, independently and self-motivated.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS:  Work is typically performed in offices, conference rooms, or community facilities such as public schools, libraries or fire stations. Continuous ability to communicate by phone is necessary. Regular use of keyboards, computers, laser printers, etc. is necessary. Occasional operation of county vehicles to travel to locations throughout the county is required. Occasional lifting and movement of audio-visual equipment weighing up to 40 pounds is necessary. Regular contact is made with senior County decision makers, other departments, and members of the public. Contacts are usually cooperative, however, require tact and diplomacy. External contacts with vendor companies and other information services agencies are necessary. Occasional need to perform urgent tasks to meet organizational deadlines. Work activity after normal business hours is necessary.

SALARY:  $17.35 – $20.82/per hour based on qualifications

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:  Until Filled