What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sheriff's Office Communications Manager position at King County?
WHO MAY APPLY: This civil service position is only open to internal employees within the King County Sheriff's Office.
SUMMARY:
King County Sheriff's Office has an outstanding opportunity for a civilian Communications Manager. This position works within the Community Services and Programs Division.
This position will directly support the Sheriff’s Office by communicating, drafting and distributing information to the public, providing strategies and recommendations to senior leadership for routine and emergent external communication needs. This role requires strong communication and public speaking skills.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, self-starting communications professional seeking a rewarding role for the King County Sheriff’s Office. This position will work collaboratively with the Community Programs & Services Division (CPSD) Sergeant to develop and implement communication services for the Sheriff’s Office (which align with the KCSO Strategic Plan, mission, and goals). This position will also manage communications to external customers, media relations and to the public.
The responsibilities and functions of this position include but are not limited to the following duties:
• Oversee/lead development and implementation of communications strategies across internal and external communications, including news media relations, digital media, website management, multimedia, and internal departmental information sharing.
• Partner with the Executive’s Office to develop and execute strategic communications countywide on Sheriff’s Office issues and media opportunities.
• Write or supervise writing of speeches, op-eds, news releases, online content, and other external and internal communications.
• Identify media opportunities, facilitate interviews and serve as liaison to the media.
• Develop and solidify best practices for media outreach, follow-through and follow up. This will include assisting media personnel with incident communication and conveying routine news stories, including live interviews.
• Provide the news media updates at critical incidents.
• Respond to media inquiries; research and provide accurate information.
• Provide communications strategies and recommendations to the Sheriff’s Office leadership for routine and emergent external communication needs.
• Manage internal and external communications, which may include print, media, web, multi-media, public relations or other areas.
• Recommend or revise public-relations and communications policies and procedures.
• Edit or monitor editing of department publications for content, style and message and to assure they comply with county standards.
• Brief upper management on media and public relations issues.
This position requires skill in supporting an operational department with a wide variety of strong communication skills. Required demonstrated qualifications include:
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with proven success in communications, media relations or community relations.
• Comprehensive understanding of communication principles, tools and strategies.
• Strong analytical mindset, critical thinking and writing skills.
• Convincing communication and interpersonal skills, both verbally and in written form.
• Maturity, confident pose and presence necessary to interface effectively with command staff as well as the public, elected officials and community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with print, media and/or public relations.
• Ability to work under pressure, managing priorities in a high-performance environment while meeting non-negotiable deadlines.
• Skills in resolving conflict, making decisions, being a resourceful problem solver, collaborating and negotiating.
• Skills in understanding and translating technical subject matter and terminology into crisp, compelling communications.
• Skills in reading and interpreting laws, regulations and guidelines written by federal, state and local agencies.
• Skill in thinking strategically and in listening effectively.
• Ability to research and analyze.
HIGHLY DESIRED EXPERIENCE:
• On-camera experience: Proficiency in presenting news, conducting interviews, and enhanced storytelling and communication skills
• Media connections: Established relationships and connections with media outlets and key individuals within those organizations
• Knowledge of local government and the political process, including applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
WORK LOCATION: Black River Building in Renton, WA; work location could vary depending on the need.
WORK SCHEDULE: Typical work schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, but will also be on-call during nights and weekends, as needed. This position is not eligible for overtime.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must pass thorough background investigation, including a polygraph.
• You may need to have a vehicle to be able to drive between work locations.
TO APPLY: Please carefully review the list of required materials before submitting your application. Review the list of KCSO Automatic Disqualifiers and verify your qualification for employment with King County Sheriff's Office. Submit:
• King County Application (applying online satisfies this)
• Cover letter adressing how you meet or exceed the qualifications
• Complete answers to the supplemental questions.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Michelle Kobuki, Civil Service Human Resources Analyst
206-477-4740
michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is non-represented.
SUMMARY:
King County Sheriff's Office has an outstanding opportunity for a civilian Communications Manager. This position works within the Community Services and Programs Division.
This position will directly support the Sheriff’s Office by communicating, drafting and distributing information to the public, providing strategies and recommendations to senior leadership for routine and emergent external communication needs. This role requires strong communication and public speaking skills.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, self-starting communications professional seeking a rewarding role for the King County Sheriff’s Office. This position will work collaboratively with the Community Programs & Services Division (CPSD) Sergeant to develop and implement communication services for the Sheriff’s Office (which align with the KCSO Strategic Plan, mission, and goals). This position will also manage communications to external customers, media relations and to the public.
The responsibilities and functions of this position include but are not limited to the following duties:
• Oversee/lead development and implementation of communications strategies across internal and external communications, including news media relations, digital media, website management, multimedia, and internal departmental information sharing.
• Partner with the Executive’s Office to develop and execute strategic communications countywide on Sheriff’s Office issues and media opportunities.
• Write or supervise writing of speeches, op-eds, news releases, online content, and other external and internal communications.
• Identify media opportunities, facilitate interviews and serve as liaison to the media.
• Develop and solidify best practices for media outreach, follow-through and follow up. This will include assisting media personnel with incident communication and conveying routine news stories, including live interviews.
• Provide the news media updates at critical incidents.
• Respond to media inquiries; research and provide accurate information.
• Provide communications strategies and recommendations to the Sheriff’s Office leadership for routine and emergent external communication needs.
• Manage internal and external communications, which may include print, media, web, multi-media, public relations or other areas.
• Recommend or revise public-relations and communications policies and procedures.
• Edit or monitor editing of department publications for content, style and message and to assure they comply with county standards.
• Brief upper management on media and public relations issues.
This position requires skill in supporting an operational department with a wide variety of strong communication skills. Required demonstrated qualifications include:
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with proven success in communications, media relations or community relations.
• Comprehensive understanding of communication principles, tools and strategies.
• Strong analytical mindset, critical thinking and writing skills.
• Convincing communication and interpersonal skills, both verbally and in written form.
• Maturity, confident pose and presence necessary to interface effectively with command staff as well as the public, elected officials and community stakeholders.
• Familiarity with print, media and/or public relations.
• Ability to work under pressure, managing priorities in a high-performance environment while meeting non-negotiable deadlines.
• Skills in resolving conflict, making decisions, being a resourceful problem solver, collaborating and negotiating.
• Skills in understanding and translating technical subject matter and terminology into crisp, compelling communications.
• Skills in reading and interpreting laws, regulations and guidelines written by federal, state and local agencies.
• Skill in thinking strategically and in listening effectively.
• Ability to research and analyze.
HIGHLY DESIRED EXPERIENCE:
• On-camera experience: Proficiency in presenting news, conducting interviews, and enhanced storytelling and communication skills
• Media connections: Established relationships and connections with media outlets and key individuals within those organizations
• Knowledge of local government and the political process, including applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
WORK LOCATION: Black River Building in Renton, WA; work location could vary depending on the need.
WORK SCHEDULE: Typical work schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, but will also be on-call during nights and weekends, as needed. This position is not eligible for overtime.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must pass thorough background investigation, including a polygraph.
• You may need to have a vehicle to be able to drive between work locations.
TO APPLY: Please carefully review the list of required materials before submitting your application. Review the list of KCSO Automatic Disqualifiers and verify your qualification for employment with King County Sheriff's Office. Submit:
• King County Application (applying online satisfies this)
• Cover letter adressing how you meet or exceed the qualifications
• Complete answers to the supplemental questions.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Michelle Kobuki, Civil Service Human Resources Analyst
206-477-4740
michelle.kobuki@kingcounty.gov
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is non-represented.
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