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Information Officer III

Fairfax County Government
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Job Announcement

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 channels
  • Familiarity with paid media campaigns across digital platforms
  • Advanced knowledge of multimedia production
  • Proven ability to manage real-time crisis communications across digital and traditional media platforms.
  • Experience managing a content calendar
  • Familiarity with public safety messaging and best practices for communicating sensitive issues related to law enforcement.

 

Illustrative Duties

 

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)  

Serves on 24-hour call, with responsibility for notifying County officials of significant incidents;

Makes decisions under pressure and deadlines regarding information that may be released to the press;

Coordinates and provides information regarding emergency incidents and other sensitive matters to the news media;

Plans, directs, and executes publicity campaigns designed to inform citizens about various county programs, events or legislation;

Supervises the work of subordinates engaged, in public information activities;

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the media;

Responds to requests for information regarding agency/County programs;

Provides assistance to agency/County staff as to the most effective means of communicating information to the general public, government employees, and other target groups;

Monitors and edits County’s website content for style, accuracy, and timeliness;

Develops and implements County’s website publicity program to increase participation and use;

Establishes and maintains countywide electronic public information policies;

Coordinates electronic FOIA issues;

Serves as liaison to vendors, county agencies, and others regarding county website activities;

Serves as contact for international, national, and local dignitaries, senior management, and others who desire information about the County’s e-government program;

Ensures that County’s e-government program is effective and useful for internal agencies and the general public;

Plans and executes the County’s technology marketing program to inform the public about the benefits of e-government;

Conducts presentations to County management and Board of Supervisors to present public access technologies and capabilities;

Designs, develops, and implements effective navigation schemes for applications and business transactions for the county worldwide website;

May write and disseminate Board news releases, coordinate Board members public appearances and ceremonies, and keeps Board members abreast of new communication tools and trends;

Conducts audience/constituent research on projects.

 

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

 

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.) 

Detailed knowledge of the requirements of the media regarding content, format, and timing of official releases;

Broad knowledge of the principles of public administration and public relations as applied to local government operations;

Knowledge of new media and its applications;

Knowledge of fundamentals of digital still photography;

Ability to plan and execute photographic coverage of complex events;

Ability to adapt broadly defined policy guidance to specific situations with a minimal amount of supervision;

Ability to work under pressure;

Ability to participate in meaningful interchange of views on matters of critical importance to the County;

Ability to plan and review the work of others;

Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, the press, and County employees.

 

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) 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 Office
  • Experience providing public relations to local government operations and public safety
  • Demonstrated knowledge of new media and its applications, prior experience with large-scale professional media and communications plans
  • Demonstrated knowledge of fundamentals of digital still photography and videography
  • Demonstrated experience developing professional relationships and working with the public, the press, and with County employees
  • Ability to collaborate with civilian and sworn staff to create an agency-wide strategic communications and media plan
  • Ability to coordinate with civilian and sworn staff to ensure intra-agency coordination and cooperation with agency communications
  • Ability to plan and execute photographic coverage of events
  • Ability to adapt policy guidance to specific situations with minimal supervision
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Ability to participate in meaningful interchange of views on matters of critical importance to the Sheriff’s Office and Fairfax County
  • Experience supervising the work of others


CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED: 

  • Driver's license (required)
  • Notary Public-Required within 3 months


NECESSARY 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.