Communications Specialist IV

Welcome and thank you for your interest in employment with Loudoun County Government!

ALL SECTIONS OF THE APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED IN ITS ENTIRETY. THE RESUME IS CONSIDERED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ONLY. APPLICATIONS THAT ARE INCOMPLETE OR INDICATE 'SEE RESUME' WILL NOT BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

The Office of Public Affairs and Communications is advertising for a Senior Communications Specialist to join our team. Our office is responsible for developing and executing strategic, countywide internal and external communications and constituent services programs that connect Loudoun County residents, businesses, and communities with information about their government and its services. This is an exciting opportunity for an individual who has a passion for public service and who has expertise in the areas of public information, communication planning and strategy, digital communication, journalism, marketing, community outreach, graphic design, and/or other areas within the field of communication. The office allows up to two days of telework per week following an onboarding and orientation period.

We are seeking a professional communicator to work collaboratively with other members of the Public Affairs and Communications team and staff in County departments to support countywide priorities, public information campaigns, strategic communication planning, employee communications, and emergency communication within the National Incident Management System (NIMS) framework. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, organized, and creative, and demonstrate handling multiple priorities simultaneously. This position requires excellent writing and content creation skills, the ability to organize information from multiple sources, and a commitment to accuracy and quality.

Under the general direction of a Senior Communications Manager, this position executes communications activities to promote an informed and engaged public and workforce. The successful candidate will perform a varied range of communications assignments including, but not limited to:

• Producing print and digital content, such as news releases, web content, flyers and graphics, social media, photography and other content in accordance with the county's brand standards; and supporting video production.
• Editing and maintaining content on the county's public website and internal employee intranet.
• Consulting with department subject matter experts and the County's Public Affairs and Communications team to develop and execute internal and external communications plans.
• Coordinating publicity plans for programs, activities, events, and services.
• Developing key messages for target audiences and disseminating the messages through various communication channels, such as print materials, digital content and direct outreach.
• Researching and synthesizing complex information to inform communications plans, strategies and content.
• Coordinating public events and special projects as assigned, independently or as a member of a team.
• Supporting community education and outreach activities to raise public awareness of programs.
• Supporting emergency and crisis communication activities on behalf of the department, under the direction of the department Director and his/her designee, and the Public Affairs and Communications Officer and/or designee.
• Performing other essential job functions specific to the position and department assignment.

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field; three (3) years of related work experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Successful candidates will undergo background checks as required.