Creative Content Writer

Chesterfield County, VA; Chesterfield Court House (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Chesterfield County’s Communications and Media Services seeks a Creative Content Writer to join a five-member team. You will craft feature stories, speeches, news releases and online content, adapting messaging for various audiences and mediums.

The role emphasizes thorough research, AP style, and timely delivery across newsletters, brochures, and social media, with occasional on-camera work and involvement in campaigns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, mass communications, marketing or related field.
• Three years of experience writing speeches, remarks, articles and a wide variety of other written copy for an organization; or a combination of training and experience.
• Pre-employment drug testing, FBI background check and education/degree verification required.

Responsibilities

• Write feature stories/blogs, talking points/speeches, news releases, media advisories and external articles.
• Produce newsletters, copy for brochures/ads, web and social media content.
• Create awards entries, presentations and internal communications copy.
• Assist with communications campaigns and write video scripts; may appear on-camera.

Skills

Writing

AP Style

Research & fact check

Adaptable to medium/audience

Meet deadlines

Microsoft Office

Social media

Customer service

Independent & collaborative

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism/English/mass communications/marketing

3 years writing speeches/articles

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

NOTE: Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, résumé and three writing samples, preferably including one speech, with their online applications. The required materials must be attached to the application prior to submitting.

About Us

The Chesterfield County Department of Constituent and Media Services operates as a comprehensive agency providing communications and other support to county leaders and more than 40 county departments. We disseminate information to approximately 400,000 residents, as well as businesses and visitors, and play a key role in projecting Chesterfield’s well-earned reputation as a leader in local government. Using a comprehensive set of communications tools and platforms, combined with a diverse mix of staff talent, we work cooperatively with internal and external partners to tell Chesterfield’s story and ensure accessibility in a variety of formats including social media, podcasts, blogs, direct marketing, media relations and the county’s website. Constituent and Media Services is an integral part in how Chesterfield connects and engages with residents.

Job Position Overview

The award-winning Constituent and Media Services Department’s Communications and Media Division is looking for a Creative Content Writer. The successful candidate will be an excellent writer and someone who is both experienced and creative, with the ability to handle multiple projects and assignments as part of a fast-paced team with varying deadlines.

As a member of our digital and media relations team, the creative content writer should demonstrate a passion for learning about a variety of topics, pay close attention to detail, thrive in the writing process, excel at meeting deadlines, conduct thorough research and fact checks, apply AP Style, and produce written materials that are not only accurate but are also technically and grammatically correct.

In this role, the writer is tasked with a variety of deliverables, including but not limited to feature stories/blogs, talking points/speeches, news releases, media advisories, articles for external publication, newsletters, copy for advertisements/brochures, online content for web pages and social media, award entries, presentations, and internal communications copy.

The writer generates compelling copy, working both independently and collaboratively as part of a five-member content team. They are tasked with balancing multiple writing assignments at the same time, each with varying deadlines and degrees of involvement from others. They may write about the same topic numerous times while adapting the messaging to the appropriate medium and the strategy. This process includes routine government materials that are produced regularly. Yet, this is also still a creative writing position, which means there will be countless opportunities to use writing skills to transform “government speak” into narrative storytelling.

In addition, the writer may be asked to assist with preparing communications campaigns, write video scripts, help produce podcasts, and make occasional on-camera appearances.

Our team learns and adapts in real time as we seek to provide comprehensive communications services for the multiple county departments that we consider our customers. This position is hard work, but you will be able to help our team continue charting the course for how local government can and should communicate and connect with residents.

This is a full-time position that works alongside another creative content writer, together handling the majority of writing assignments for the division. While you will have standard work hours, there will be meetings, events or other functions that require attendance outside of traditional 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. business hours and on weekends. Inclement weather and other emergencies may also require that the creative content writer work outside of regular hours to put out critical public information.

The work is challenging but rewarding. It’s about working collaboratively and independently. The successful candidate will be joining a team whose members recognize, value, and demonstrate the power of strong relationships and collective talent while serving an outstanding community.

If you do not like to write, this is not the position for you.

Education and Experience

A bachelor's degree in journalism, English, mass communications, marketing or related field; three years of experience writing speeches, remarks, articles and a wide variety of other written copy for an organization; or a combination of training and experience.

Current valid driver’s license and good driving record required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, records must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out-of-state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date.

Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required.

To join our collaborative team, you are also required to:

• Have excellent writing skills
• Have the ability to write in a conversational tone and adapt content to the audience and the event
• Have excellent knowledge of grammar and AP Style
• Have experience with Microsoft Office Suite
• Have knowledge of various social media platforms
• Have excellent customer-service skills
• Be able to meet deadlines while juggling multiple assignments
• Be able to turn written copy around quickly and be flexible with frequently changing timetables and short deadlines
• Be able to write on the same topic multiple times, adapting to the medium and audience
• Be able to take initiative and prioritize projects
• Be able to conduct research and fact check without having to be directed
• Be committed to producing accurate written materials
• Be able to work independently and collaboratively with clients and the Communications and Media team to develop clear and concise messaging consistent with the county's brand
• Be self-motivated

Other Experience Preferred:

• Experience writing a blog
• Experience working on a podcast
• Experience creating a newsletter
• Experience in government

We’d Love to Talk to You

NOTE: It is required to submit a cover letter, résumé and three writing samples, preferably including one speech, with your online application. Attach the required materials to the application prior to submitting.

Monday - Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Communications and Media