Public Affairs & Communications Chief

Gila County; Globe (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Gila County is seeking a seasoned public information leader to serve as the primary advisor for public affairs, strategic communications, and community engagement. The role focuses on developing and coordinating countywide communications to support the County Manager, Board of Supervisors, and departmental priorities.

The PIO leads emergency and crisis communications, manages digital platforms, and ensures transparency and effective public messaging across county channels.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the County's Public Information Officer (PIO) during emergencies, disasters, incidents, and crisis situations.
• Develop and disseminate countywide public affairs, strategic communications, media relations, and public information initiatives.
• Oversee County website content, social media platforms, digital communications, branding, accessibility, and multimedia messaging.
• Coordinate with County leadership and departments to support transparency, outreach, and organizational priorities.

Job description

This job was posted by https://www.azjobconnection.gov : For more information, please see: https://www.azjobconnection.gov/jobs/7523067 Under limited supervision serves as the Countys principal advisor and administrator for public affairs, strategic communications, public information, media relations, crisis communications, digital communications, and community engagement activities for Gila County. Develops, coordinates, and administers Countywide communications strategies and public information initiatives supporting the County Manager, Board of Supervisors, County departments, emergency operations, and County strategic priorities. Serves as the Countys designated Public Information Officer (PIO) and oversees emergency and crisis communications in accordance with Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) principles. Provides executive-level communications support involving strategic messaging, media coordination, public outreach, website administration, social media management, reputation management, and organizational transparency efforts. Regularly assigns work to other employees and supervises related activities. Provides recommendations on managing employees who also report to other managers.

• Develops, implements, administers, and evaluates Countywide public affairs, strategic communications, media relations, public information, digital communications, and community engagement initiatives supporting County leadership, departments, and organizational priorities. Provides executive communications guidance and strategic messaging recommendations to County leadership involving sensitive, controversial, or high-profile matters.
• Serves as the Countys designated Public Information Officer (PIO) during emergencies, disasters, incidents, and crisis situations.
• Coordinates emergency public information activities in accordance with Incident Command System (ICS), National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Joint Information Center (JIC) principles.
• Develops and disseminates emergency notifications, public advisories, media briefings, and crisis communications materials.
• Oversees County website content, social media platforms, digital communications systems, public messaging standards, branding consistency, accessibility compliance, and multimedia communications efforts. Monitors public sentiment, media coverage, and communications trends impacting County operations and reputation.
• Coordinates media relations activities including press releases, interviews, public statements, executive messaging, speeches, presentations, talking points, and responses to public inquiries.
• Represents County Administration during meetings, public events, media engagements, and intergovernmental activities.
• Assists departments with public outreach initiatives, communication planning, public education campaigns, strategic initiatives, and organizational transparency efforts. Researches and implements communication best practices, emerging technologies, and community engagement strategies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.