Under general direction, assists the Director of Communications and Public Affairs to plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate the work and activities of the Office of Communications and Public Affairs for the County of Santa Clara; to assist in developing a comprehensive communications strategy for the County, directing and coordinating public and media relations and community outreach; and to provide assistance, training, and direction to County departments and agencies in public communications.
This Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs position will report to a Deputy County Executive and directly support the County Executive and Chief Operating Officer with public communications and media relations. Duties will include drafting press releases, talking points, speeches, memos, and other internal and external communications materials, as needed. This position will serve as the County Executive’s media liaison, receiving and responding to reporter inquiries and coordinating media interviews and appearances. The ideal candidate will possess strong writing skills, a solid knowledge of AP Style, and be a quick study in complex government processes with the ability to work cross-functionally with internal teams and external stakeholders. This position must exhibit sound judgment, diplomacy, and political acumen when participating in thought leadership, with a constant pulse on public discourse and keen eye for news relevancy.
COVID-19 Risk Tier – Low Risk
The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.
- Assists the Director in developing communications plans, strategies, tools, and collaterals to disseminate information, raise awareness of County services, and promote special events;
- Assists the Director with developing organizational messages, templates, and media protocols and in overseeing the development and monitoring of effective communication programs with various internal and external public audiences;
- Assists the Director in overseeing and guiding office administration;
- Assists the Director in overseeing the Office of Communications and Public Affairs’ social media and social media plan;
- Represents the Director by communicating and interacting with department officials, employees, representatives from various groups, organizations, and the public;
- Interviews and selects or recommends selections for hire;
- Trains, supervises, provides guidance to, evaluates, and disciplines staff; assigns and adjusts workloads;
- Supervises communications staff in planning, writing, and editing material for advertisements, news releases, internal communications, promotional events, and other public information;
- Supervises and evaluates external contractors;
- Develops training programs for and advises County officials and staff responsible for providing information to the media and the public;
- Directs and supervises staff in planning and coordinating special events and multimedia activities;
- Assists the Director in managing and directing the development of County newsletters and the creation and maintenance of website/website pages;
- Provides input into the creation of the Office's annual budget; monitors and assures that the Office is expending the allotted budget appropriately;
- Creates or assists in the creation of Office policies and work procedures;
- Serves as liaison to agency/departmental communications officers and communications staff;
- Responds to Board of Supervisors’ media-related requests and public information requests;
- Coordinates specific project activities;
- May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker, as required;
- Performs other related duties, as required.
Sufficient education, training, and experience that demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:
Training and Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities to perform this function are attained through training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, Public or Business Administration, or related field. Relevant analytical, administrative, lead, supervisory, or management experience that includes interpreting rules and regulations, gathering data and formulating recommendations, and report writing can substitute for education on a year-for-year basis;
and
Seven (7) years of recent professional-level experience in public relations/communications in a complex organization; including three (3) years supervising staff in public, private, executive, internal, or external communications, or in a newsroom or a news operation. The supervisory experience may be inclusive of the public relations/communications experience.
Experience in the public sector and knowledge of the organization of the County of Santa Clara government is desirable.
Special Requirement
- Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California Driver's License prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices, techniques, and objectives of public information, communications, media relations, and community outreach project and program development;
- Methods and techniques for the development of press releases, talking points, newsletters, presentations, business correspondence, and information distribution;
- Public relations and news media relations;
- Principles and practices of administration, organization, budget, management analysis, supervision, and personnel management;
- Principles and practices of strategic planning;
- Principles and techniques of training;
- Principles, practices, and techniques of current and emerging public communications, relations, and information media;
- Website design, including concepts and resources used in the design, development, and management of websites;
- Strategies for optimizing social network components on a variety of platforms;
- Common computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, internet, social media, and email.
Ability to:
- Plan, coordinate, design, and organize media events, press conferences, and dedication ceremonies;
- Supervise a work unit;
- Act as a media spokesperson for the County of Santa Clara;
- Train management and staff on the principles and practices of media relations;
- Work independently in identifying and analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives, devising solutions, and recommending changes in policy or operations;
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with the news media;
- Effectively express ideas and concepts in English, both orally and in writing;
- Successfully manage a variety of projects concurrently;
- Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
- Work irregular hours, including some nights and weekends, and be available to respond to County emergencies, as necessary.
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