Sr/Communications Business Partner - Media Relations (Hybrid Work Schedule)

Acts as the County's Public Information Officer (PIO), develops relationships with local and national media, pitches media stories, handles all media inquiries as the single point of contact for all department, and authors a variety of written materials. The Communications Business Partner - Media Relations develops and implements the County's media relations strategy, working with the communications division, in support of the Board's goals and organizational initiatives.

**The full salary range for a Communications Business Partner - Media Relations is: $68,071.12 - $108,736.16.

**The full salary range for a Senior Communications Business Partner - Media Relations is: $74,877.40 - $119,610.14.

• Manage daily media relations activities, including: responding to inquiries and requests for information; proactively developing and pitching County stories; preparing and distributing news releases; reporter outreach and relationship building; identifying and preparing subject matter experts; frame, compose, plan and implement written materials; executing news conferences/media briefings; and subject matter expert management.
• Serve as the County's spokesperson for all departments, coordinating with elected offices for media request/responses as appropriate.
• Develop and implement the County's media relations strategy, both situational or strategic, in support of the Board of County Commissioners goals and organizational initiatives.
• Establish and maintain positive contacts with media, including print, broadcast, digital, neighborhood and trade publications.
• Familiarize yourself with County stories, programs, projects, events, study sessions/meetings, current happenings, etc. to increase efficacy of media coverage for Arapahoe County.
• Monitor and track news coverage, providing regular reporting and counsel on the general tenor and analysis on issues of County interest.
• Prepare highly visible, accurate, and written communication deliverables, including talking points, briefing memos, speeches, presentations, public appearances, sensitive communication tools, digital content, and media communications.
• Provide training for elected officials and senior leadership on media relations, public outreach and communication issues.
• Develop and maintain County's online digital newsroom and media kit.
• Create and maintain county's crisis communication plan.
• Work with Communication Business Partners to identify media opportunities as part of project work plans. Provide counsel to BP.

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Extensive knowledge of public affairs, media strategy, and print, broadcast, and digital media.
• Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills; a background in corporate or government writing and a proven ability to write in different registers. Strong knowledge of Associated Press Styleguide is required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to influence by adopting a range of styles, tools, and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
• Ability to present ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to employees, citizen groups, stakeholder groups, administrators, elected officials, general public, local jurisdictions and partner agencies.
• Relationship building and interpersonal skills: Ability to quickly build effective and mutually respectful relationships with people from various backgrounds and personality styles. Uses diplomacy, tact and respect when communicating with individuals, especially during conflict or high-tension situations. Collaborates with peers to find common ground to solve problems and easily gain trust and support. Must also demonstrate ability respect private and sensitive information about employees and situations.
• Service oriented: Dedicated to meeting the expectations of internal and external customers. Respond in timely and thorough manner, prioritize needs and ensure customer satisfaction.
• A significant element of work involves handling sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy as well as maintaining confidentiality of information.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, meeting required deadlines, and handling more than one project simultaneously.
• A collaborative work style that is able to function effectively under pressure in a deadline-driven environment with a positive can-do attitude.
• Integrity: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems or issues, holds self to highest ethical standards, maintains confidence and creates trusted relationships.
• Speaking skills: Strong speaking skills, including the ability to present to large and small groups. Interviewing skills are necessary to glean information, stories and ideas from employees and other stakeholders.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

Accountability

Accessibility

Inclusivity

Integrity

Education and Experience:

Communications BP - Media Relations

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field
• 3+ years of experience in public affairs, public information, communications, journalism or public relations.
• Demonstrated track record in media relations and crisis communications.
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job may be considered.

Sr Communications BP - Media Relations

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field
• 5+ years of experience in public affairs, public information, communications, journalism or public relations.
• Demonstrated track record in media relations and crisis communications.
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job may be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Previous experience and/or knowledge of local government.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is performed in an office setting, public venues, and hybrid option
• Weekend and evening work is required on occasion and as media stories necessitate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 60% of the time sitting and 40% of the time either upright or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Definitions:

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (i.e. uploading or attaching documents to your online application), call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627. Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt uploading (attaching) it.