Public Affairs Manager
La Plata CountyJob Summary
The Public Affairs Manager is responsible for overseeing strategic planning and managing La Plata County’s public relations, communications, outreach, and engagement efforts. This role is responsible for promoting the County’s mission and goals to internal and external audiences through the most effective communication channels and methods. Are you a strategic storyteller with a passion for community impact? La Plata County is looking for someone to lead our voice, vision, and engagement efforts.
In this pivotal role, you won’t just manage communications—you will bridge the gap between local government and the community we serve. We are looking for a dynamic leader to oversee strategic planning and manage the County’s public relations, outreach, and engagement initiatives. Must have exceptional verbal and written communication skills, experience in strategic communications and community relations/outreach.Essential Job Functions
Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.
- Responsible for ensuring the County’s community outreach and partnership efforts reach their target audiences; identifying communication gaps and critical areas of need through meaningful, thoughtful, and inclusive engagement strategies; and encouraging cooperation with the organization and with community groups.
- Advises and makes recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, County leadership, County Manager, Elected Officials, and relevant staff of public sentiment, trends, and mentions across all media; performs a variety of professional media, communications, and community outreach-related activities/campaigns in support of strategic initiatives.
- Plans, directs, and supervises the work of the Digital Media Specialist in day-to-day activities; selects, assigns and motivates employee through coaching, goal setting, conflict resolution, and appropriate recognition.
- Provides leadership and direction in managing the County's communications strategy and engagement; responsible for brand guidelines and identities for the County’s family of brands, County websites, and social media platforms; evaluates new and existing communication systems and channels; utilizes modern and innovative technology, systems, software, and tools to assist in the delivery of communication internally and externally.
- Serves as spokesperson and primary resource for La Plata County information; responds orally and in writing in a timely manner, to a variety of inquiries from staff, the media, or the public, providing information or directing questions to appropriate staff to promote good public/media relations and create cooperative working relationships. Including situations where unexpected or emergency events create pressing communication needs. Serves as the County’s communication liaison to the Emergency Operations Center.
- Oversees and participates in the creation, editing, and issuance of press releases, social media content, educational materials, and other related communication content for the County; ensures the maintenance of webpages in accordance with applicable laws, guidelines, and best practices.
- Serves as liaison for interdepartmental communication initiatives, developing long-term strategic plans, planning and executing communications campaigns, and conducting internal and external outreach initiatives, works with representatives from across the County to deepen understanding of communications engagement practices and unearth opportunities for collaboration and cross-promotion.
- Acts as Public Information Officer, serving as the main point of contact for media and coordinating communications with staff during emerging crisis events.
- Arranges press conferences and authorizes appearances or press statements from staff members by providing staff with guidelines and strategies to present message/information/issues properly.
- Appears before special interest groups and community organizations, attends board and commission meetings to present programs or materials dealing with County activities; attends meetings to build agency morale and community support.
- Facilitates a variety of special events and County activities by assisting media representatives at the event, providing information to the public, and organizing an efficient method of delivering information and County services in accordance with State Statutes, County Ordinances and other regulations.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Regular and predictable attendance required.
MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED:
General office and computer equipment andaudio/video equipment.
Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action Statement
La Plata County prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with La Plata County on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or genetic information.
La Plata County is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. La Plata County takes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for protected classes, persons with disabilities and for covered veterans. Covered veterans include: special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaignbadge was authorized.
Inquiries regarding La Plata County's equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to:
Director of Human Resources
1101 E 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81301
Tel: (970)382-6361
Fax: (970)375-7985
Email: HRHelpdesk@lpcgov.org
Minimum Qualifications Required
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills and abilities for this position would be:
Education and Experience:
7+ years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, communications, journalism, public administration or related field with 3+ of those years being in a supervisor or managerial role.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, communications, or a related field required. Master’s Degree preferred.
Bilingual English/Spanish is highly desirable.
Licenses and Certifications:
Valid Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Professional and technical writing methods and practices.
- Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances governing public information requests.
- Project management principles, practices and methods.
- Departmental policies, practices, and procedures, including protocol.
- Media resources and other forms of public outreach available in the community.
- Public relations practices.
- Methods and techniques of video and audio production.
- Budget process and funding sources.
- Organizational and community planning.
Skill in:
- Managing staff, delegating tasks and responsibilities and providing coaching and feedback.
- Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Handling multiple tasks simultaneously, under pressure, and in emergency and stressful situations.
- Working efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
- Organizing and prioritizing work to meet deadlines.
- Developing, understanding, interpreting, and communicating policies and procedures.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Ability to:
- Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
- Develop comprehensive public relations strategic plan and public information programs
- for La Plata County.
- Develop and maintain cooperative and productive working relationships with local
- media and key figures in community groups and agency programs.
- Analyze the news value of events.
- Make decisions exercising independent judgment.