Communications & Public Policy Director

Spokane County•Village of Fonda, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Communications & Public Policy Director is a strategic leadership role responsible for planning, developing, and implementing County wide communications, marketing, public relations, and community engagement strategies that support the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the County CEO, and executive leadership. The position provides high level guidance on complex issues involving public perception, emerging concerns, and external communication impacts, and ensures consistent, accurate, and transparent messaging to the public, media, community partners, and stakeholders. In addition to communications leadership, the Communications & Public Policy Director collaborates closely with policy and community engagement partners to research, evaluate, and communicate policy initiatives, legislative updates, and County priorities. The role serves as a connector between County leadership, the community, outside agencies, and regional organizations to support effective engagement and understanding of County programs, services, and public policy efforts. Work is performed with considerable independence and involves significant interaction with elected officials, local and regional partners, community groups, departmental communication managers, and the public. The Communications & Public Policy Director represents the County in public settings as designated and ensures that communication and engagement strategies reinforce the County’s mission, values, and strategic objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Public Policy, Political Science, Marketing, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, public policy, community engagement, or a related field.
Or, a combination of education and experience to be able to perform the essential functions of the position.
Experience advising executive leadership and supporting policy, legislative, or strategic initiatives is strongly preferred.
A valid driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of pro-active marketing, public information, public relations, and community outreach.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for creating effective media and public relations materials, and for establishing recognition for engaging in community outreach and feedback.
Knowledge of local and national media, web page and social-media trends.
Knowledge of creation of news magazines, newsletters, annual reports, press releases, dashboards, and white papers.
Knowledge of public policy development processes, legislative analysis, and the impacts of proposed policy changes.
Knowledge of community engagement strategies, feedback-gathering methods, and outreach best practices.
Knowledge of principles of economic development communication, program reporting, and stakeholder updates.
Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with CEO and BOCC, all County departments, the media, and community organizations.
Skilled in understanding and appropriately communicating sensitive information
Skilled in public speaking.
Skilled in the use of office technology, including word processing, database development, PowerPoint, Visio, desk top publishing, and spreadsheets.
Skilled in translating complex policy, legislative, or regulatory information into accessible public messaging.
Skilled in facilitating community meetings, listening sessions, and engagement activities.
Skilled in building cross-sector partnerships and maintaining relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and regional entities.
Ability to deal with complex issues while being sensitive to various perspectives and opinions.
Ability to organize, prepare and present comprehensive and effective communication programs.
Ability to demonstrate technical writing and editing skills, evidenced by work that has been published.
Ability to demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills and a highly collaborative style.
Ability to conduct public meetings and effectively present information, facts and recommendations both orally and in writing; in a clear, concise, interesting, and logical manner.
Ability to write speeches, articles and presentations on behalf of CEO and BOCC.
Ability to develop and maintain positive and influential work relationships with peers, state and county representatives, external organizations, legislators, communities and agencies.
Ability to establishes and maintain positive working relationships with local news media, editors and reporters.
Ability to understand and communicate on behalf of the BOCC complex legislative issues and topics.
Ability to deal with the public in a pleasant, courteous and calm manner, often under stressful and/or emergent situations.
Ability to effectively manage projects through to completion and according to established deadlines.
Ability to demonstrate strong organizational abilities and high level detail orientation.
Ability to exhibit superior critical thinking and analytical skills.
Ability to manage multiple projects at a time.
Ability to prioritize workload to meet deadlines.
Ability to conduct policy research and synthesize findings into communication plans and external messaging.
Ability to anticipate community or stakeholder reactions and advise leadership accordingly.
Ability to represent the County effectively in public meetings, policy discussions, and regional forums.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Communications, or a related field is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Plans, develops, and implements comprehensive County-wide marketing, communications, public relations, and community engagement strategies to support the BOCC, CEO, and executive leadership initiatives.
Provides strategic advice to the BOCC and CEO regarding complex issues, public perception, emerging concerns, and policy-related communication impacts.
Leads the development of policy-related communication materials and collaborates with internal and external partners to ensure accurate, consistent, and timely messaging on County initiatives, public policies, and community priorities.
Coordinates, leads, and implements proactive community engagement strategies that build understanding, transparency, and trust between the County and residents, community partners, business organizations, and stakeholders.
Serves as spokesperson for the County when designated and assists the BOCC and CEO with responses to media inquiries, public information requests, interviews, and issue-specific messaging.
Represents the County at public meetings, briefings, and community events.
Crafts, reviews, and disseminates key communication tools including fact sheets, presentations, briefings, policy updates, newsletters, public reports, media releases, and digital content for web and social media platforms.
Works closely with County departments, public information staff, and communication managers in a matrix environment to align messaging and ensure consistency across all County platforms.
Partners with County lobbyists, policy advisors, and subject matter experts to research, evaluate, interpret, and communicate policy proposals, legislative updates, ordinances, resolutions, and Board initiatives to internal and external audiences.
Leads engagement efforts for targeted initiatives, including public outreach campaigns, listening sessions, community education efforts, and feedback collection.
Utilizes engagement data to inform communication strategies and policy recommendations.
Develops and monitors County branding and graphic standards as approved by the BOCC, ensuring consistency and adherence across all communication channels.
Manages the County’s external website content for assigned areas to ensure accurate, relevant, and accessible information for the public.
Provides technical support to leadership for County-wide public information programs, including scripting, speaking points, editing, and message alignment.
Builds and maintains strong working relationships with media, elected officials, community partners, business organizations, state and regional agencies, and constituent groups to support policy communication and strategic outreach.
Participates in planning, research, and analysis to support long-term public policy, communications, and engagement strategies for major County and regional initiatives.
Directs emergency communication and public information efforts during County-wide or region-wide incidents and collaborates with regional partners as needed.
Develops and delivers media training for County officials and staff to ensure effective message delivery and consistency.
Leads, mentors, and develops assigned staff through collaborative supervision, clear expectations, coaching, and performance evaluation.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.