Communication Specialist

Knox County Chamber of Commerce; Mount Vernon (VA); On-site; USD 44,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Pension plan

Paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Knox County Job and Family Services seeks a Communications Specialist to develop and manage communications that advance our mission across multiple agencies. You will handle messaging, press materials, social media, website content, branding, and community engagement.

The role translates complex information into accessible content and requires strong writing, digital communications, project management, and stakeholder relationship skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field
• Two years' experience in organizational communications, marketing, or a related role
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills
• Experience maintaining organizational websites and social media accounts
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines with attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across roles and departments
• Sound judgment when handling confidential, sensitive, or potentially high-risk information
• Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and auto insurance in per county policy

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an annual communications plan aligned with organizational priorities
• Maintain calendar covering programs, events, campaigns, and organizational announcements
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness, build community trust, and expand engagement
• Advise staff and leadership on communications strategy, messaging, and audience needs
• Coordinate communications projects across programs, development, leadership, and agencies
• Adhere to organizational policies and applicable laws, maintain confidentiality
• Practice consent in photo/media releases, intellectual property, and records management
• Use of AI must be disclosed and monitored for accuracy
• Create email campaigns, website content, impact stories, press releases, talking points
• Translate program information and data into clear, audience-friendly content
• Maintain consistent messaging, voice, tone, and editorial standards
• Manage organization's social media accounts, content planning, creation, scheduling
• Create platform-appropriate copy, graphics, photography, and short-form video content
• Track platform performance, monitor comments and plan appropriate responses
• Maintain protocols for moderation, privacy, consent, crisis response, and account security
• Maintain and update website pages, program information, events, news, staff information
• Apply search engine optimization, accessibility, usability, and content-quality-practices
• Monitor website analytics and use findings to improve content and user experience
• Oversee organization's brand identity and communications standards
• Maintain brand guidelines, templates, logos, images, messaging and communications resources
• Ensure consistent use of the brand across digital, print, event, and partner materials
• Support staff and partners in applying brand and messaging standards
• Develop communications that engage clients, volunteers, partners, and community members
• Promote programs, services, events, fundraising initiatives, and volunteer opportunities
• Build relationships with community organizations, media contacts, and other stakeholders
• Gather audience feedback and use it to strengthen communications and engagement
• Draft for approval; press releases, statements, materials, and responses to media inquiries
• Monitor media coverage and public conversations related to the organization and its mission
• Support crisis communications in coordination with organizational leadership
• Establish communications goals and track indicators such as reach, engagement, website traffic, email performance, media coverage, and conversions
• Prepare regular performance reports and recommend adjustments
• Manage communications tools, subscriptions, files, permissions, and digital asset libraries
• Support budget development and monitor communications-related expenses
• Perform other duties that support the organization's mission and evolving needs
• Act as backup to agency IT coordinator and perform any/all other duties as assigned

Skills

Writing and editing

Storytelling

Social media management

Project management

Interpersonal collaboration

Confidential information handling

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related field

Job description

Department: Administration I Employment Status: Full-Time I Schedule: M-F 8am-4pm
Annual Salary: $48,483 FLSA: Exempt/Classified/Non-Bargaining I Deadline: November 11, 2026
Location: 117 E. High St. Mt. Vernon, OH 43050

Position Summary

Knox County Job and Family Services is a Quadruple combined organization serving Knox County through each of our four agencies; Children and Adult Protective Services, Child Support, Public Assistance, and Workforce/Ohio Means Jobs.

The Communications Specialist will develop and manage communications that advance the mission, programs, services, and impact of Knox County Job and Family Services (KCJFS). This position oversees the organization's internal and public communication strategies including messaging, press releases, social media platforms, website management, brand, digital content, and community engagement activities.

Working across our combined agencies, the Communication Specialist translates complex information into clear, accessible, and compelling content for clients, community members, donors, volunteers, partners, funders, and other stakeholders. The role requires strong writing, digital communications, project management, and relationship-building skills, as well as a commitment to respectful, trauma informed, and culturally responsive storytelling.

Knox JFS offers a robust benefit package including paid vacation, personal leave and sick leave. Health Care, dental, vision, life insurance, pension, paid holidays and deferred compensation plans. Employee Assistant Program.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Two years' experience in organizational communications, marketing, or a related role
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills
• Experience maintaining organizational websites and social media accounts
• Ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines with attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across roles and departments
• Sound judgment when handling confidential, sensitive, or potentially high-risk information
• Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and auto insurance in per county policy

Core Competencies

• Mission-centered communication: that connects to the organization's purpose and community
• Strategic thinking: Communication with clear goals, audiences, messages, and outcomes
• Storytelling: Communicates human impact with clarity, dignity, accuracy, and consent
• Builds productive relationships with staff, clients, stakeholders and community members
• Project management: Organizes complex assignments and consistently meets deadlines
• Responds effectively to changing priorities, emerging issues, and new communication channels

Responsibilities

Communications

Develop and implement an annual communications plan aligned with organizational priorities

• Maintain calendar covering programs, events, campaigns, and organizational announcements
• Identify opportunities to increase awareness, build community trust, and expand engagement
• Advise staff and leadership on communications strategy, messaging, and audience needs
• Coordinate communications projects across programs, development, leadership, and agencies
• Adhere to organizational policies and applicable laws, maintain confidentiality
• Practice consent in photo/media releases, intellectual property, and records management
• Use of Al must be disclosed and monitored for accuracy

Content Development

Create email campaigns, website content, impact stories, press releases, talking points

• Translate program information and data into clear, audience-friendly content
• Maintain consistent messaging, voice, tone, and editorial standards

Social Media Management

• Manage organization's social media accounts, content planning, creation, scheduling,
• Create platform-appropriate copy, graphics, photography, and short-form video content
• Track platform performance, monitor comments and plan appropriate responses
• Maintain protocols for moderation, privacy, consent, crisis response, and account security

Website Management

• Maintain and update website pages, program information, events, news, staff information,
• Apply search engine optimization, accessibility, usability, and content-quality-practices
• Monitor website analytics and use findings to improve content and user experience

Brand Management

Oversee organization's brand identity and communications standards

• Maintain brand guidelines, templates, logos, images, messaging and communications resources
• Ensure consistent use of the brand across digital, print, event, and partner materials
• Support staff and partners in applying brand and messaging standards

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop communications that engage clients, volunteers, partners, and community members
• Promote programs, services, events, fundraising initiatives, and volunteer opportunities
• Build relationships with community organizations, media contacts, and other stakeholders
• Gather audience feedback and use it to strengthen communications and engagement

Media and Public Relations

• Draft for approval; press releases, statements, materials, and responses to media inquiries
• Monitor media coverage and public conversations related to the organization and its mission
• Support crisis communications in coordination with organizational leadership

Measurement and Administration

• Establish communications goals and track indicators such as reach, engagement, website traffic, email performance, media coverage, and conversions
• Prepare regular performance reports and recommend adjustmentsManage communications tools, subscriptions, files, permissions, and digital asset libraries
• Support budget development and monitor communications-related expenses
• Perform other duties that support the organization's mission and evolving needs
• Act as backup to agency IT coordinator and perform any/all other duties as assigned

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in office, and may extend to community, or outdoor setting
• Occasional evening/weekend may be required for events, or urgent communications
• Local travel may be required for meetings, programs, photography, or community events
• Requires prolonged computer/device use and the ability to move/carry up to 50 pounds

Acknowledgement

I acknowledge that I have reviewed and understand the Position Description and the responsibilities outlined within. I understand that duties may be adjusted as organizational needs evolve. I have been informed that Pre employment screening including BCI and FBI Background check are conducted.
Employee/Applicant Signature: ______________________________ Date: __________
Employee/Applicant Printed Name: ____________________________________