Public Affairs & Communications Manager
About The Position
The Public Affairs Manager serves as a key member of the Sheriff's Office leadership team and is responsible for directing comprehensive public relations, communications, media engagement, and marketing efforts. This role oversees the Sheriff's Office Public Affairs unit, providing strategic direction, supervising professional staff, and ensuring that communication programs effectively support organizational goals. The Public Affairs Manager develops and implements high-profile communication strategies using written, electronic, social, and web‑based media to inform and engage the public, news organizations, community partners, and internal stakeholders. The position leads the creation and dissemination of timely, accurate, and operationally aligned information, including responses to media inquiries and coordination of communications on breaking news, public campaigns, and sensitive issues. This role establishes policies and guidelines for communication practices, strengthens the organization’s public image and branding, and fosters cross departmental alignment on messaging. The Public Affairs Manager collaborates closely with leadership to shape public understanding of key programs and initiatives, represents the Sheriff's Office at community and stakeholder events, and leads efforts to support transparency, community engagement, and equitable access to information. The position requires strong leadership, strategic judgment, and the ability to navigate complex communication challenges. It emphasizes relationship building, effective supervision, cross functional coordination, and the development of communication tools and processes that reflect organizational values and enhance public trust.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree AND Five (5) years of professional experience in public relations, community outreach, communications, public information programs, or related work within a complex organization.
- At least two (2) of the five (5) years in direct service to the operational needs of a law enforcement or large land use/public works organization and supervision/management of staff.
- Expertise in public relations, media relations, marketing, and strategic communications within a large or complex organization.
- Strong leadership and management skills, including the ability to supervise professional staff and guide high‑profile communication initiatives.
- Advanced ability to design, implement, and evaluate comprehensive communication strategies using written, digital, social, and web‑based media.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to craft clear, accurate, and compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
- Skill in navigating sensitive, high‑profile, or politically complex issues and providing sound strategic counsel to executive leadership.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including media, community groups, and internal partners.
- Strong analytical and planning abilities, including evaluating communication effectiveness and adapting strategies based on results.
- Knowledge of public sector operations, including governmental processes, regulations, and the role of public communication in local government.
- Must become Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) qualified upon hire.
- Must be able to pass a thorough background investigation conducted by the Sheriff's Office.
- Must be able to pass a Post-offer Drug Screen.
Responsibilities
- Directing comprehensive public relations, communications, media engagement, and marketing efforts.
- Overseeing the Sheriff's Office Public Affairs unit.
- Providing strategic direction and supervising professional staff.
- Ensuring communication programs effectively support organizational goals.
- Developing and implementing high-profile communication strategies using written, electronic, social, and web‑based media.
- Leading the creation and dissemination of timely, accurate, and operationally aligned information.
- Responding to media inquiries.
- Coordinating communications on breaking news, public campaigns, and sensitive issues.
- Establishing policies and guidelines for communication practices.
- Strengthening the organization’s public image and branding.
- Fostering cross departmental alignment on messaging.
- Collaborating closely with leadership to shape public understanding of key programs and initiatives.
- Representing the Sheriff's Office at community and stakeholder events.
- Leading efforts to support transparency, community engagement, and equitable access to information.
Benefits
- Award-winning benefits and wellness program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
