1. Possession of a bachelor's degree in communications, business or public administration, journalism, advertising, marketing, or related field and 5 years of experience in media and/or public affairs that includes developing media strategies, collaborating with senior-level corporate or agency representatives on issues of a sensitive nature, and working with diverse competing interests on issues with the potential for significant organization-wide impact; or,
2. a combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
The Project Manager requires the experience, sensitivity, and confidence to represent the County, as well as the creative talent and practical skill to manage large and complex issues through diverse and competing interests.
Knowledge of: principles and practices of public relations and mass communication; basic knowledge of local government; techniques and methods of planning and implementing a public information program for a large agency; media relations and protocols; marketing techniques and practices; public opinion research techniques, methods, and tools; group and team dynamics including team leadership practices; standard English grammar and usage; standard computer applications used in government.
Job Description: The Project Manager, Community Relations is a top-level, strategic position responsible for planning, coordinating, and disseminating a professional media and community relations strategy, and for ensuring that all appropriate constituencies are adequately informed of community benefits provided by the County. The Project Manager, Community Relations conducts in-depth media and public opinion analyses, makes policy recommendations, advises County executives of emerging trends, and plans strategic responses to potentially adverse media coverage or public opinion.
The Project Manager, Community Affairs is distinguished from the Public Information Specialist by the fact that the former serves as an expert member of high-level project teams responsible for implementing key County polices and responding to issues such as regionalism and solid waste management, and provides such teams with a community relations perspective, and expertise on developing and implementing appropriate strategies. In addition, the Project Manager, Community Relations serves as a key member of the County Administrator's senior staff with respect to strategic planning, policy development, and management of external communications with the media, key constituents, and the community at large. The Public Information Specialist is responsible for the public information function of a single County department.