Senior Communications Consultant

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

Job Information

Title:

Senior Communications Consultant

Market Range:

MR19

Approved Date:

2/4/2021 6:00:33 PM

FLSA:

Exempt

EEO Code:

PROFESSIONALS

Career Level:

P3

Career Level Description:

Professional Level 3

Job Code:

100795

Job Family:

Communications

Sub Family:

Public Relations

Primary Purpose

The primary purpose of the Senior Communications Consultant is to provide excellent communications and marketing guidance to department/division leaders; develop strategic communications plans for public-facing programs, campaigns and initiatives; and deliver well-written communications materials that target the right audience with the right message at the right time. This position will also assume key leadership roles - Joint Information Center Manager and EOC Public Information Officer - during emergencies such as nuclear events at the Harris Plant, disease outbreaks and severe weather events. In addition, this position will oversee the development and distribution of the office's monthly analytics report, which is provided to the Board of Commissioners and the County Manager's Office. The Senior Communications Consultant will also recruit and manage the office intern and serve as the designated back up to the External Communications Manager when she is out of the office. Finally, this position will assist office leadership with high-level projects and controversial media inquiries. Generating this position is critical - not only to meet the needs of the office and the organization - but also to create a better succession planning path, so we can lay the foundation for a future External Communications Manager and make promoting from within a more viable possibility than it is today.

•

Provide excellent communications, media relations and marketing consultation to assigned departments and divisions across the county. This will result in the clients achieving the goals they work with the Senior Communications Consultant to develop and create a positive image of the county in the public eye.

1

15%

•

Develop strategic communications and marketing plans for the county's public-facing programs, campaigns and initiatives. This position will be responsible for determining the target audience(s), generating the key messages that will resonate most effectively, and working with the client to set goals to measure success.

2

15%

•

Deliver well-written communications materials (news releases, speeches, talking points, social media posts, web content, etc.) that target the right audience with the right message at the right time, and generate the desired results.

5

15%

•

Serve in key leadership roles during emergencies such as nuclear events at the Harris Plant, disease outbreaks and severe weather events. The roles include the Joint Information Center Manager and EOC Public Information Officer. They require specialized training and must perform effectively and according to standards when the county is graded by FEMA every two years.

4

5%

•

Oversee the development and distribution of the office's monthly analytics report, which is provided to the Board of Commissioners and the County Manager's Office. This entails collecting data from multiple tools and people in the office, compiling it in a way that makes sense and working collaboratively with our graphic artist to display it in a way that is attractive and easy to understand.

6

5%

•

Manage the intern's responsibilities and work load, provide coaching opportunities to help him/her learn new skills and improve existing ones, and ensure the student leaves with a good impression of the county, so s/he could be a recruiting advocate for the next intern and a possible entry level hire in the future.

7

15%

•

Serve as the designated back up to the External Communications Manager when she is out of the office. This includes reviewing and editing the work of the communications consultants, handling media inquiries for the departments assigned to the External Communications Manager, providing guidance and consultation to the communications consultants on how to handle controversial or politically charged issues, and working with the Communications Director to address the top-level needs of county leadership.

3

10%

•

Assist office leadership with planning, developing and implementing high-level projects and responding to controversial media inquiries. This would include helping write the remarks and create the materials for the County Manager's annual recommended budget message, the Board Chairman's State of the County address and programs the Board of Commissioners launches publicly.

8

5%

•

Managing the public records request process for Wake County in collaboration with the County Attorney's Office. This includes gathering responsive documents, providing them for legal review and distributing the approved response to the requestor in a timely manner. It also entails tracking analytics on the number of requests received, the number fulfilled and the number outstanding each month.

9

15%

Position(s) may perform other duties in addition to the above as assigned by management.

*IMPORTANT* In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

Career Level Dimensions

Career Level:

P3

Career Level Description:

Professional Level 3

•

Plans and manages projects that have significant impact on Work Group and Division results OR works as a technical expert within a Medical or Scientific Discipline.

•

Shares insights and analyses that inform new processes, and/or operational plans.

•

Responsible for making improvements in processes, systems, or standards to enhance performance of the Work Group.

•

Works to influence parties within and outside of the Work Group and Division regarding projects and procedures.

•

May be responsible for providing guidance, coaching and training to other employees within the Work Group.

•

Requires advanced knowledge of the Work Group and Division typically obtained through advanced education combined with experience. May have practical knowledge of project management.

•

Within Medical or Scientific Disciplines, typically requires a doctoral degree.

Qualifications

•

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, English or other comparable field of study

•

Three years of experience dealing with crisis communications, high-profile media relations and/or social media marketing

•

Equivalent education and experience are accepted

•

Master's Degree

In Journalism, Communications, English or other comparable area of study.

•

Must be able to work professionally in a fast-paced environment

•

Exceptional public relations, media relations, communications, listening and strategic thinking skills

•

Ability to build and maintain relationships with clients and colleagues across the county, as well as news media

•

Strong initiative to lead a project or campaign from start to finish with minimal oversight, while understanding when to ask questions or seek approval

•

Ability to be organized and focused on small details and the big picture at the same time

•

Creativity and the ability to brainstorm ways to effectively evoke positive change

•

Commitment to superior customer service, innovation, efficiency and effectiveness

•

Ability to translate large amounts of complex information into easy-to-understand communications materials that get people’s attention and elicit an action or response

•

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion and sound decision making when handling sensitive information or documents

•

Excellent writing and proofreading skills, including knowledge of Associated Press Style

An individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily to perform this job successfully. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies

Communication

Creates an atmosphere in which timely and high-quality information flows smoothly up and down, inside and outside of the organization; encourages open expression of ideas and opinions.

Customer Service

Balances interests of a variety of clients, and readily readjusts priorities to respond effectively to pressing and changing demands for information, advice and assistance.  Anticipates and meets the needs of clients; achieves quality end products; and commits to continuous improvement of services.

Initiative

Does more than is required or expected in the job; does things that no one has requested that will improve or enhance products and services, avoid problems, or develop entrepreneurial opportunities. Plans ahead for upcoming problems or opportunities and takes appropriate action.

Coaching & Mentoring

Works to improve and reinforce performance of others. Facilitates their skill development by providing clear, behaviorally specific performance feedback, and making or eliciting specific suggestions for improvement in a manner that builds confidence and maintains self-esteem.

Cooperative Leadership

Promotes and generates cooperation among one's peers in leadership to achieve a collective outcome; fosters the development of a common vision and fully participates in creating a unified leadership team that gets results.

Relationship Building

Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.

Integrity

Act with honesty, transparency and respect in our interactions with co-workers and those we serve. Adhere, without exception, to laws, policies, procedures and professional standards.

Accountability

Establish high-quality standards for work. Add value. Measure results and hold self and others accountable for making progress toward desired outcomes. Take a logical and data-driven approach to decision-making.

Diversity

Believe that different backgrounds and experiences strengthen the organization and produce better results. Value inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience, and strive to reflect in our workforce the diversity of our community.

Collaboration

Foster a work culture in which different ideas and opinions are encouraged and expected. Listen carefully and speak thoughtfully. Work together toward shared goals with mutual respect and cooperation.

Continuous Improvement

Continuously improve work processes and products. Provide a safe environment to be innovative and creative and try new things. When things don't go as planned, use it as an opportunity to learn, regroup and begin again. Provide time and resources for individuals to grow and develop both personally and professionally.

Wellness

Take proactive steps to be physically fit and healthy, emotionally strong, financially secure and socially fulfilled, while inspiring and empowering others to do the same.

Service Orientation

Commit to making a difference within the community. Actively engage in and enjoy our work. Deliver services that exceed expectations, with courtesy, politeness and sensitivity to the experiences, concerns and feelings of all co-workers and customers.

ADA Checklist

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Standard ADA Selection:

Office Environment

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Lifting/Carrying 0-10 pounds

X

Lifting/Carrying 10-20 pounds

X

Lifting/Carrying 20-50 pounds

X

Lifting/Carrying 50-100 pounds

X

Pushing

X

Pulling

X

Climbing

X

Balancing

X

Stooping

X

Kneeling

X

Crouching

X

Crawling

X

Reaching

X

Handling

X

Grasping

X

Fingering

X

Feeling

X

Talking

X

Hearing

X

Visual Perception

X

Repetitive Motions

X

Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination

X

Memorization/Concentration

X

Learning/Knowledge Retention

X

Preparing/Analyzing Numerical Figures

X

Use of Interfaced Commmunication Devices (Phone, Computer, Radio etc.)

X

Analyzing/Examining/Testing Data

X

Emotional/Behavioral Self-Regulation

X

Interacting with Others

X

Comprehension

X

Organization

X

Decision Making

X

Comprehension

Understand and apply routine verbal and/or written instructions

Organization

Organize and prioritize the work schedules of others to manage multiple tasks and/or projects

Decision Making

Make decisions that have an impact on the immediate work unit's operations and/or services

Communication

Communicate in-depth information for the purpose of interpreting and/or negotiating

Extreme cold

X

Extreme heat

X

Humid

X

Wet

X

Noise

X

Hazards

X

Temperature Change

X

Atmospheric Conditions

X

Vibration

X

Computers/Monitors

X