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Form of work
SalaryHiring Range: $28.69 to $38.44
Full Time or Part Time: Part Time
Additional Detail
The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. The small city has a cosmopolitan feel with 150,000 people living within its 15.75 square miles. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we provide essential safety net services to help city residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. Our behavioral health programs provide compassionate services that support self-determination and recovery. The beauty of our diverse and resilient people and our commitment to race and social equity, coupled with a historic district dating to 1749, charming waterfront, vibrant arts community and unique places for foodies and shopping, make the City of Alexandria a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and play. We invite all qualified candidates to learn more and apply for our Communications Officerposition.
General Statement of Duties:
A Communications Officer performs internal communication and public information work for the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Work in this class involves writing, editing and designing brochures, flyers, news releases, reports and infographics; interviewing staff, clients and stakeholders for newsletter story development; assisting in multi-platform delivery of information and maintaining the Department website through use of a content management system. Work requires the exercise of creativity and independent judgment and is performed under the supervision of the Communications Manager.
Description of Duties:
- Utilizes writing editing and interviewing skills to develop stories, brochures and other publications.
- Utilizes graphic design skills to develop flyers and invitations for trainings and special events.
- Writes news releases and coordinates responses to routine media inquiries.
- Follows the City Style Guide, AP Style Guide and City policy in the production of materials.
- Utilizes web sites, social media, newspapers, radio, television and other communication mediums to disseminate information about events and initiatives.
- Tracks and coordinates work with members of the Department Communications Team and City Communications.
- Coordinates and monitors the work of contractors involved in the production of information materials.
- Assists in carrying out communication plans for initiatives, including meeting with staff, developing timelines and actions plans, researching similar ventures, identifying and involving key stakeholders, identifying target audiences, developing collaborative relationships within and outside the Department, and determining outcomes as needed.
- Researches best practices, consults knowledge bases, updates skills, participates in special projects not directly related to own work, organizes photo/image and content files and maintains other resources.
- Assists in maintaining the Department website by serving as webmaster. Develops, posts, updates and organizes information on the website through use of the Content Management System.
- Serves on committees within the Department and the City.
- Performs related work as required.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to communicate effectively, ability to write clearly and concisely; skill in composing and editing written work; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, the public, media and other organizations; knowledge of communications methodologies, word processing, graphic design and desktop publishing; ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks; ability to analyze complex information.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in related field and three years of experience in communications, public relations, public information and graphic production or publications editing work, desk top graphic publishing and experience with writing and editing information for wide distribution under deadlines; and completion of college-level courses in journalism, communications, multimedia production, public administration, government, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The employee must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence.
Preferred Qualifications:
Four-year college degree in communications, journalism or related field; three years of experience in communications in a social service or behavioral health setting; one year of experience using desktop publishing software such as InDesign; knowledge of photo editing; use of content management systems; knowledge of print production and processes and ability to speak, read and write in Spanish, Arabic, Amharic or another language commonly spoken by city residents who access services at DCHS. At least five years of experience writing and editing information for wide distribution.
Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer
