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Department:

Communications

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

Make a meaningful impact in your community while building a rewarding career. As a Public Information Officer (PIO) with Sarasota County Government, you’ll play a key role in sharing important messages that inform, connect, and strengthen trust with the public. This position supports multiple departments, provides back-up coverage to department PIOs, and focuses on media relations, strategic messaging, and collaboration across the organization to ensure clear, accurate, and timely communication.

This is more than just a communications role; it’s an opportunity to enjoy outstanding benefits and pathways for professional growth. With the chance to be part of a team known for making a real difference in Sarasota County, you’ll find purpose in this impactful position. Apply today and join us in shaping the way our community stays informed and engaged.

About the Position

In this role, you will play a key role in sharing important stories, managing media relations, and supporting county communications across multiple departments. You’ll help craft compelling messaging, build strong media relationships, and contribute to crisis communication efforts, all while collaborating with the countywide PIO Network. This is an opportunity to grow your skills, make an impact in the community, and support operations through cross-training and diverse projects.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to) the following...

Media Relations & Communications

+ Act as a trusted media contact by coordinating press events, responding to inquiries, and supporting county meetings and community engagements.

+ Develop and share compelling stories through press releases, talking points, and pitches that highlight county programs and services.

+ Build strong media relationships, monitor coverage, and provide leadership with news analysis and trend insights.

+ Support crisis communications, including serving on the rotating on-call PIO team and addressing misinformation quickly and effectively.

PIO Network Coordination

+ Support the countywide PIO Network by planning meetings, trainings, and development opportunities.

+ Manage network resources, including contacts, assignments, communication channels, and SOPs, while sharing timely updates and guidance.

Cross-Training & Departmental Support

+ Expand your skills through cross-training in multiple communication areas, ensuring continuity of operations and broad professional growth.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

+ Full-time, 40 hours per week.

+ Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

+ After-hours and weekend on-call functions required.

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 related field with three (3) years of related experience.

+ OR: Master's degree from an accredited college or university in the above fields with two (2) or more years of related experience.

+ OR: Seven (7) or more years of related professional experience may substitute for the required education, at management's discretion.

+ 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.

+ Bilingual skills and previous experience as a Public Information Officer, journalist, or government communicator are highly valued.

+ Training or certification in crisis communications, emergency management, or related professional accreditation is a plus.

+ Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to create clear, accurate messaging for multiple audiences and formats.

+ Strategic, collaborative, and organized, able to manage projects, meet deadlines, and adapt quickly in high-pressure or unexpected situations.

+ Experience building media relationships, working across departments, and using project management tools and analytics to support communications efforts.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five years.

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

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $56,139.20 - $61,500.00

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.