Location: all cities,SC, USA
Description
Relocation Expense is authorized for highly qualified candidates.
The purpose of the class is to administer a wide range of public relations activities on a Countywide basis including community, tourism marketing, governmental and media relations as well as internal communications; to conceptualize, develop and implement informational materials, media, public awareness, and advertising campaigns, marketing programs and various special projects; and to serve as County spokesperson. This class works within broad policy and organizational guidelines, does independent planning and implementation, works directly with individual departments as needed and reports progress of major activities through periodic conferences and meetings.
Duties
Supervises support staff. Supervisory duties include instructing; assigning, reviewing and planning work of others; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; selecting new employees; acting on employee problems; recommending employee discipline; and recommending discharge as appropriate.
Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers training, advice and assistance as needed.
Assists in developing the office hospitality and accommodation tax budgets; enters requisitions, and monitors expenditures.
Assists in developing and implementing office policies and procedures pertaining to public information.
Serves as County spokesperson, responds to media inquiries on behalf of the county and coordinates in-person, virtual and phone interviews with county staff and the media.
Organizes press conferences, prepares speaker notes and counsels elected and appointed officials concerning public relations aspects of policies and procedures.
Advocates for the County through business and community agencies, governmental officials and organizations.
Researches, plans and oversees the implementation and evaluation of the County's communication plan to include internal, external and crisis communications
Coordinate's media and public relations on legislative programs with local jurisdictions, regional agencies, state agencies and federal organizations.
Serves as brand ambassador for Dorchester County ensuring the county brand (logo) is used appropriately and in accordance with the trademark both internally and externally.
Assist the County Administrator with drafting, tracking and reporting progress of the strategic plan to County Council and the general public.
Assist the Economic Development Department as needed for project updates and new industry announcements and expansions.
Assists with groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings and special ceremonies to include the program, media and public relations.
Assists departments with drafting and sharing information on new and changing services.
Works directly with County departments to create and share employee updates.
Monitors social media and keeps the County Administrator and department heads abreast of issues/concerns from the public before/as they arise
Review's media coverage and content about the County to keep leadership abreast and correct misinformation
Creates and/or oversees the creation of content for news releases and quarterly updates including text, infographics, images, and videos and the dissemination of such releases with measurable engagement.
Maintains the Dorchester County Government website content and keeps it current including photos, videos, news sections, department and agency directories, and emergency notices; reviews and approves changes made to website by content managers
Ensures the website is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) including identifying coding errors and writing HTML code
Leads Emergency Support Function (ESF)-15 in the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and is responsible for all emergency media relations and public relations including social media and website content, and coordinates information sharing with agency partners when the EOC is activated.
Provides the highest level of internal and external communications during normal and emergency operations.
Provides a quarterly staff and public relations update to the County Administrator and County Council.
Creates, implements and coordinates tourism marketing plans and strategies; assesses needs and opportunities for tourism product development, communications, and marketing; researches, explores and develops tourism promotion opportunities within the County; communicates tourism opportunities to the media; assures all external communications and campaigns are aligned with brand guidelines; recommends, administers, monitors and coordinates tourism marketing budgets; engages with partners, businesses and communities to better leverage assets and public relations, and increase tourism activity within the County; responsible for tourism website content and communications; writes and proofs stories for publications, website content, advertisements and other communications.
Responsible for conceptualizing, developing and facilitating the implementation of projects related to the commitment to governmental public relations and services and communities served.
Oversees the County's Public Records Program in accordance with the SC Freedom of Information Act
Coordinates and communicates with the County Administrator, County Council, and staff members throughout the county on public matters and perception that could impact the county's reputation
Works successfully with representatives from various communities, special interest groups, organizations and governmental representatives at all levels.
Develops and maintains a library of informational materials including forms, fliers, informational packets, videos and photographs.
Coordinates internal communications between administration and department heads and county employees.
Maintains social media sites and engagement including regular updates/posts and responding to comments as needed.
Receives and responds to employee inquiries, and concerns regarding public information, branding, public records policies, procedures and department services.
Performs general administrative/clerical work as required including, but not limited to,preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, reviewing mailand literature, copying and filing documents, etc.
Attends County Council, Council Committee and Council Workshops, Department Head meetings, and other meetings as necessary.
Attends training, seminars and conferences; conducts research to stay abreast of trends andresources in public information and public relations management.
Performs other related job duties as assigned.
All County employees are considered public servants for the citizens of Dorchester County. When requested before, during, or after an emergency event, County employees are expected to work and serve the public in coping with the emergency.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in business administration, marketing, communications, public administration, public relations, journalism, English, or a closely related field.
Requires at least six (6) years of related work experience.
Special Qualifications:
Must possess a valid state driver's license.
Applicable Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), South Carolina Emergency Management
Division (SCEMD) training/Certification; and/or National Incident Management System (NIMS) training.
Based on course availability, training should be obtained within one (1) year of hire date.
Additional Requirements
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio of writing samples along with their application to be considered for this position.