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Job Announcement
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Are you a strategic communications expert and communications project manager with a passion for making Fairfax County a better place for older adults to live safely, independently, and with dignity? The Department of Family Services (DFS) seeks an experienced communications professional to research, write, and distribute a wide range of materials pertaining to older adults, caregivers, and adults with disabilities. Examples include video scripts and podcasts, website and social media content, news releases, talking points, newsletters, annual reports, educational materials, and more. Ensures materials are accurate, accessible, respectful, and culturally appropriate. Pitches stories to news media and responds to media inquiries in a timely fashion. The Communications Specialist II, under supervision of the Director of Communications, plays an essential role on a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and customer-focused team. Learn more about the Department of Family Services at Join Us: Work for DFS | Family Services and read about the Top 5 Reasons to Work with the Fairfax County Adult and Aging Division of DFS.
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Illustrative Duties
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Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
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(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all inclusive list.)
Ability to supervise the work of others in publication management, multimedia development, community relations or media relations;
Ability to write, edit and design for departmental publications;
Ability to write for multimedia;
Ability to use photography equipment and to plan photography coverage;
Ability to format online media;
Ability to use current computer software and email;
Ability to develop or create Web sites;
Ability to solve problems;
Ability to be able to manage projects (including budgeting);
Ability to be able to communicate in a crisis;
Ability to adapt broadly defined policy guidance to specific situations with a minimal amount of supervision;
Ability to work under pressure;
Ability to participate in meaningful interchange of views on matters of critical importance to the County;
Ability to plan and review the work of others;
Ability to lead a division of communicators;
Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, the press, and County employees.
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Employment Standards
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, public administration, political science, or field related to a department's business, plus five years of progressively responsible experience in communication area of specialization or area of specialization of department represented.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
None.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check and a Child Protective Services check.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 4 year / bachelor's degree
- Ability to write, edit and design for departmental publications.
- Ability to write for multimedia, lead and create strategic communications projects, handle sensitive media requests, and freedom of information act requests.
- Lead and coordinated a variety of community engagement activities.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the public, the press, and county employees.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
Ability to use automated technology and keyboard driven equipment.
Sufficiently mobile to attend events and make presentations outside the office.
All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodation.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview, may include practical exercise. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY. #LI-RS1
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Fairfax County Government
$68,774.37 - $114,625.06 Annually
medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, child care, retirement plan
May 02, 2026