Public Information Officer

Essential Functions/Typical Tasks

Prince George County is currently accepting applications from qualified candidates for the position of Public Information Officer. This position will be responsible for directing and coordinating county public information messaging as produced for print, web, social media and video, overseeing use of county brand and style in all public information materials, writing and editing press releases, news articles, as well as coordinating press conferences and may serve as spokesperson for the county.

Qualification Requirements

Comprehensive working knowledge of principles, practices and procedures used in mass communications, marketing and public relations; of grammar, punctuation, word usage, sentence structure to ensure effective verbal and written communications. Mastery of the English language, professional speaking and presentation skills; excellent writing skills; experience with Microsoft Office products, knowledge and experience in news release writing and web site writing; knowledge of the disciplines involved in media relations and community relations with emphasis on the use of sound judgement in the release of information; must maintain confidentiality as necessary; must have the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects; must be able to plan and coordinate public relations activities to communicate programs or events to internal and external audiences; familiar with developing public relations plans; must have a strong understanding and knowledge of various social media platforms; media relations, public relations, and social media experience required; photography skills are preferred.

Special Requirements

A valid Virginia driver’s license.

Additional Information

To apply online visit the website at www.princegeorgecountyva.gov. To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a County application. Applications should be submitted online. For additional information, please call (804) 722-8669. EOE.

Prince George County is proud to provide our full time employees with the following comprehensive benefits package. This schedule serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.

Medical Insurance

It is important to choose a medical plan that is best for you and your family. A carefully selected plan can give you peace of mind. The County has selected Anthem as its medical provider and offers the following two plans:

POS 30/500/30
High Deductible Plan

The High Deductible Plan includes a health savings account that is administered by HSA bank. The County contributes towards the employee's HSA on a semi-annual basis (July 15th and January 15th) at the following rates for FY25:

Employee Only Coverage - $1000.00 annually ($500 in July and $500 in January)
Employee 1 Coverage - $1,250.00 annually ($625 in July and $625 in January)
Family Coverage - $1,500.00 annually ($750 in July and $750 in January)

Waiving coverage - you may elect to waive medical coverage for yourself and your family members. If you waive coverage for yourself, you may not enroll a family member.

Dental Insurance

Before you choose your dental plan, you should review the summary of benefits for both plans to understand the percentage that you may be responsible for and the deductibles that will need to be met. The County has selected Delta Dental as the dental provider and offers the following two plans:

High Option and Low Option

Waiving coverage - you may elect to waive dental coverage for yourself and your family members. If you waive coverage for yourself, you may not enroll a family member.

Vision Insurance

The County's medical insurance provides a basic vision benefit through Blue View Vision for those who are enrolled in the medical insurance. If you are interested in a more enhanced vision benefit, the voluntary buy-up option may be the best choice for you! Blue View Vision is the vision provider for the buy-up option.

Flexible Spending

The County offers both medical and dependent care flexible spending through Wage Works. The County does not contribute to an employees flexible spending account.

Retirement

Prince George County participates in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) defined benefit plan. The plan provides retirement benefits for full time employees. Employees are in one of the three categories; Plan 1, Plan 2 or Hybrid plan. Plan 1 employees are employees hired prior to July 1, 2010 or hired after July 1, 2010 with prior VRS credit and vested (5 years of service) by January 1, 2013. Plan 2 employees are those hired on or after July 1, 2010, rehired with no prior service credit in VRS, or hired before July 1, 2010 and not vested by January 1, 2013. Hybrid Plan employees are employees hired after January 1, 2014. Public Safety employees eligible for enhanced hazardous duty benefits are exempt from the Hybrid Plan.

All full time employees contribute 5 percent of their income on a pre-tax basis to VRS. The county also contributes a percentage of all full time salaries to VRS. The percentage is determined biannually by VRS.

The Hybrid Plan is a combination of a defined benefit (pension) plan, and a defined contribution (retirement savings) plan. Of the 5% mandatory contribution, 1% goes to the defined contribution plan. Employees can voluntarily elect to contribute up to an additional 4% to the defined contribution plan, and receive an employer match up to 2.5%.

Participants of VRS are vested once 5 years of creditable service are earned.

Plan 1 Retirement Benefit - The retirement benefit is determined by your age, highest 36 consecutive months of salary and years of service. VRS Plan 1 participants are eligible for full retirement benefits at age 65 with at least five years of service or at age 50 with at least 30 years of service. Participants may also retire as early as age 55 with at least five years of creditable service or as early as age 50 with at least 10 years of creditable service.

Plan 2 Retirement Benefit - The retirement benefit is determined by your age, highest 60 consecutive months of salary and years of service. VRS Plan 2 participants are eligible for full retirement benefits when the normal Social Security retirement age is reached and with at least five years of service credit, or when age and years of service equal 90. Example: Age 60 with 30 years of creditable service. Participants may also retire early (at a reduced benefit) at age 60 with at least five years of service credit.

Hybrid Retirement Benefit - The retirement benefit is determined by your age, highest 60 consecutive months of salary and years of service. VRS participants are eligible for full retirement benefits when the normal Social Security age is reached and with at least five years of service credit, or when age and years of service equal 90. Participants may also retire early at age 60 with at least five years of service credit. The percentage used to calculate the retirement benefit is lower than what is used for Plan 1 and Plan 2 employees. Employees use the defined contribution plan (retirement savings) to supplement their benefit.

Hazardous Duty Positions - Whether you are considered a Plan 1 or Plan 2 employee, VRS participants that are in hazardous duty positions are eligible for full, unreduced retirement at age 50 with at least 25 years of creditable service or age 60 with at least five years of creditable service. Those age 50 with at least five years of creditable service are eligible for an early, reduced retirement. Employees who have at least 20 years of hazardous duty service at retirement may be eligible for a hazardous duty supplement, payable from the time of retirement until their normal social security age.

Note: Part Time Regular employees DO NOT have retirement benefits through VRS.

Deferred Compensation

The County provides employees an additional opportunity to save for retirement. Nationwide Retirement Solutions and COVA are the two providers for the 457(b) deferred compensation. Employees have the ability to make voluntary contributions towards their retirement on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction. Nationwide also offers a Roth plan on an after tax basis for those who are interested.

Group Term Life Insurance

The County provides basic group term life insurance to employees through VRS and underwritten by Minnesota Life Insurance Company. The coverage is provided at no cost to the employee. In the event of natural death, the benefit is equal to the employee's pay (rounded to the next $1,000), and then doubled. For accidental death, the benefit is equal to the employee's pay (rounded to the next $1,000), and then quadrupled. There is no maximum limitation on this benefit.

Optional Life Insurance

This program allows employees to elect up to four times their pay (not to exceed a maximum of $750,000) of additional life insurance. This plan also allows employees to purchase coverage for a spouse and/or children. A spouse's benefit is up to one-half the employee's benefit amount. Coverage for children is $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 per child. Some levels of coverage may require Evidence of Insurability and may be subject to limitations. Optional Life Insurance is 100% paid for by the employee on an after tax basis. Premiums for the employee and spouse are based on the age of the insured person and increase with age. Premiums for the children are based on level of coverage and cover all children; there is no per-child rate.

Supplemental Insurance

All supplemental Insurance (Cancer, Short Term Disability, Hospital, Accident, etc.) is administered by Mark III.

Additional benefits include:

Tuition reimbursement, not to exceed $2,000 per employee each fiscal year
Employee Recognition Program
Sick Leave Bank (VRS Hybrid employees are NOT eligible)
Credit Unions (Vantage Point Credit Union and Virginia Credit Union)
Direct Deposit