Community Relations Specialist - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Department:  STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Pay:  Starting at $60,070. Negotiable based on relevant experience and education.  

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8a - 5p. May be required to work outside normal business hours.  

Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation reviews, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.  For more detailed information, please visit our benefits page at SCBenefits.

The Community Relations Specialist is responsible for media and community relations initiatives to meet the evolving needs of Sedgwick County Government and residents. This position develops communication plans and implements a broad range of proactive media and community relations. This position also promotes Sedgwick County branding, awareness of services, and confidence in Sedgwick County Government. Takes a lead role in various communication projects, plans, and strategies. Acts as the Director of Strategic Communications in their absence.

Media/Community Relations

• Serve as the point of contact, and in collaboration with Director of Strategic Communications, for any external (media) stakeholders seeking or receiving information about County government
• Develop a proactive media relations strategy to obtain coverage of County news, efforts, and events
• Serve as a liaison between media, divisions and departments within the organization. Respond to print and broadcast inquiries. Work with staff to effectively communicate with the public and the media.
• Create and facilitate media training program
• Maintain inquiries and outcomes statistics for all ventures
• Facilitate press releases, open meeting notices, occasional KORA requests, and photo and video files
• Organize press conferences and live interviews for BoCC, County Manager, and departments
• Serve in the Emergency Operations Center as Public Information Officer in conjunction with Public Safety

Messaging to Promote a Positive County Image

• Ensure consistent messaging across all media and community channels
• Work with the Director of Strategic Communications and County leadership to achieve county goals and objectives by administering the Strategic Communications Strategic Plan and the Communications portion of the County Strategic plan
• Draft speeches and talking points for Commissioners and senior leaders with the assistance of the Director of Strategic Communications
• Develop story or content ideas, edit, and rewrite material. Correct errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax to improve readability, and recommend changes in content, style, organization, and appropriateness for internal and external communication
• Collaborate with the Strategic Communications team for creation, story, and content ideas for videos. Review material to improve and broaden awareness of County’s programs and services.

Communication Campaigns

• Develop and implement comprehensive communication campaigns that support the organization’s strategic goals, public initiatives, and community programs
• Create compelling content including press releases, social media posts, brochures, newsletters, web content, videos, and advertisements
• Establish and manage campaign timelines, deliverables, ensuring efficient execution. Assist with planning, logistics, and success of various meetings and functions that bring elected officials together to discuss pertinent critical issues for the community.
• Organize an assigned Citizens Advisory Board

Minimum Qualifications: Three years of experience in Communications or a related field and one year of experience in Project Management, or an equal number of years of education that provides applicable knowledge and skills. Two years of experience in Media Relations. Per Sedgwick County Policy, this is a driving level position that requires a valid US driver’s license without restrictions and current proof of automobile insurance.

Preferred Qualifications: Two years of experience working with and presenting information to elected officials or C-Suite level teams. Bachelor’s degree from the following field(s) of study: Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, Journalism, or related field. One year of experience with Adobe Creative Cloud.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws. Please find more information under the following link.  Apply for a Job | Sedgwick County, Kansas