Public Information Officer

City of Santa Fe Springs; Winchester (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending account

Job summary

Frederick County Virginia Government is seeking a strategic Public Information Officer to lead public information, media relations, and digital communications for county operations. The role guides leadership, develops messaging, and manages communications across platforms to inform and engage residents.

The candidate will craft press materials, support crisis communications, and coordinate community outreach while maintaining transparency and trust with the public.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public administration, journalism, marketing, or related field.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible public-sector communications experience, including as an organizational spokesperson.
• Ability to develop and implement communications strategies and provide clear content for multiple audiences.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the County's primary media contact and advise leadership on communications strategies.
• Develop press releases, public statements, and crisis communications while managing media inquiries and coverage.
• Create and manage content across the County's website, social media, digital and print channels; ensure consistent messaging.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Strategic communications

Content development

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications or related field

Tools

CMS platforms

Social media management tools

Job description

Description

We are looking for a strategic Public Information Officer to develop, implement, and evaluate public information, media relations, and digital communications strategies that support County operations and strategic priorities. This role serves as a trusted advisor to County leadership on communications matters, planning and coordinating initiatives that inform and engage the public. The ideal candidate exercises sound judgment, political awareness, and discretion while communicating effectively in routine, sensitive, and rapidly evolving situations.

What You’ll Do

• Public Information and Media Relations
  • Serve as the County's primary media contact and advise leadership on communications strategies.
  • Develop press releases, public statements, and crisis communications while managing media inquiries and coverage.
• Communications and Digital Content
  • Create and manage content across the County's website, social media, digital, print, and other communication channels.
  • Ensure consistent messaging, branding, and public engagement through strategic communications.
• Community Engagement
  • Represent the County at meetings, events, and outreach activities while building relationships with residents, media, and community partners.
  • Maintain a visible and active presence in the community to support transparency and trust.
• Strategic Communications
  • Develop and evaluate communication strategies, recommend improvements, and leverage communication tools and analytics to support County priorities.
• Availability
  • Respond to media and public inquiries and provide communications support during evenings, weekends, emergencies, and other high-profile situations as needed.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, public administration, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public-sector communications, public relations, or media relations, including experience serving as an organizational spokesperson.
• Ability to develop and implement communications strategies; prepare clear, accurate, and accessible content for multiple audiences and platforms; and communicate effectively in high-pressure, sensitive, or rapidly evolving situations.

Working Conditions: Work is generally performed during normal business hours; however, evening and weekend meetings, community events, emergency activations, and after-hours communications support may be required. This position operates in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift quickly, requiring flexibility and timely response to emerging issues.

Physical Demands: Work requires prolonged sitting with occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds. The position requires the ability to communicate effectively, hear conversations and other sounds, and use visual acuity to review documents, operate office equipment, and perform assigned duties. Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment with a moderate noise level.

Environmental Conditions: Work is performed primarily in a climate-controlled office environment, with occasional work in public, outdoor, or emergency-response settings during meetings, events, and time-sensitive situations.

To learn more about Frederick County, Virginia employee benefits, please visit the following webpage: https://www.fcva.us/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits

All positions are subject to a criminal background check for any convictions that relate to the job duties and responsibilities. Frederick County Virginia Government is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

The County’s EEO Utilization Report is available at www.fcva.us/jobs

There are a wide variety of benefits available to Frederick County employees. These benefits include:

• health
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• optional life and disability plans
• flexible spending account for health care
• dependent care assistance program
• an employee assistance program
• a deferred compensation program