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Department:

Communications

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

As the Solid Waste Public Information Officer (Communications Associate III) you will be responsible for coordinating public communications (written, visual, and social media) and community outreach programs. The ideal candidate is experienced in time management and has proven proficiency in providing difficult, at times sensitive, senior-level communications strategies.

The pay starts out between $61,734.40 - $66,00.00, based on experience, benefits begin within 60 days of hire, and there are opportunities for advancement. Apply today!

About the Position

This role is funded by the Solid Waste Department but resides within the Communications Department, providing synergy between countywide initiatives and department-specific messaging. The position takes daily direction from the Communications Department’s Public Information and Community Outreach manager in support of the county’s Solid Waste Department’s missions and goals. If selected, you will...

+ Lead and Support the Team: Oversee the Community Outreach Coordinator’s day-to-day work, set a positive tone, and encourage teamwork, enthusiasm, professionalism, and high-quality results.

+ Coach and Develop Staff: Mentor, train, and support staff growth to help them meet their full potential.

+ Set Goals and Standards: Help define benchmarks and goals to keep the team focused and on track.

+ Act as Public Information Officer (PIO): Serve as the go-to person for media relations and communication for the Solid Waste Department, including emergency on-call responsibilities.

+ Handle Media and Social Media: Create media engagement strategies, write press releases, manage social media, and respond to media inquiries to ensure timely and accurate info.

+ Be the Media Liaison: Coordinate with local and regional solid waste communication teams, organize media tours and press events, and serve as the face of the department in media matters.

+ Train Staff in Media Relations: Work with team leads to train personnel on how to interact with the media, including one-on-one coaching for leadership.

+ Be Present On-Site: Regularly work in person at the Sarasota County Landfill and Bee Ridge Administration Offices to stay connected and informed.

+ Manage Communications Projects: Lead various communications projects by developing and tracking plans that support the department’s mission and programs.

+ Promote Community Engagement: Partner with the Solid Waste Department outreach coordinator to plan community events, and speaking engagements, and share positive stories that showcase the department's work and build public goodwill.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

+ Full-time, 40 hours per week.

+ Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ( no weekends! )

+ This position does require on-call rotation, as a result, work schedules may vary due to on-call, rotations, and/or emergencies.

As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

About You

To be considered for this role, you must have the following:

+ Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Relations, Marketing, Mass Communications, Graphic Design, Visual Arts, Illustration, or a related field -WITH- Five (5) years of related work experience.

+ -OR- Master's degree from an accredited college or university in one of the above fields -WITH- Three (3) or more years of related work experience.

+ -OR- Nine (9), or more, years of work experience can substitute for the necessary education.

+ Valid Florida driver's license by date of hire.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.

+ Professional accreditation and/or certification in a related career.

+ Time management (an ability to coordinate numerous projects simultaneously and prioritize and organize workload for self and team members).

+ Proven proficiency in providing difficult, at times sensitive, senior-level communications strategies.

+ Ability to train and provide guidance to others about how to speak with “one voice.”

+ Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and at least one electronic email/newsletter/survey delivery system.

+ Familiar with, but not necessarily proficient in Adobe Creative Suites.

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 lbs.

CJIS Clearance: The successful candidate will be subject to an extensive background check(s) as a part of the hiring process.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $61,734.40 - $66,000.00, based on experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents (http://www.scgov.net/home/showpublisheddocument/66596/638617478290291353) . You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

+ If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)

Benefits:

+ Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! C hoose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!

+ For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net (https://www.scgov.net/government/human-resources/employee-health-and-benefits) for additional information.

+ Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations.

+ Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally.

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.