Title:  Sr. Communications Business Partner (Clerk & Recorder's Office)

DUTY STATEMENT:

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, the ability to work productively and professionally as a member of a team or work group and to interact appropriately with internal and external contacts, are basic requirements of all positions at Arapahoe County. Supports the County's strategic plan and goals.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

The Senior Communication Business Partner, with limited supervision, implements communication strategies and tactics and completes activities that support business goals, initiatives and projects for specific, assigned department(s). Responsibilities include developing outreach and engagement plans, community relations/event coordination, and day-to-day management of marketing, communications and public relations activities. The position supports the Communications Supervisor in the area of issues management as well as overseeing work assignments and processes or other team members. This is a mid-career professional level job with Commissioners’ Office and collaboratively serves County departments and offices with passion, integrity and expertise.

DUTIES:

• Creates, implements and measures communication plans and strategies that help meet strategic business goals, initiatives and projects and presents plans to Communications Manager for review and approval.
• Develops and executes feedback mechanisms from citizens and key stakeholder groups, including public outreach events, community meetings, special events and social media tools.
• Organizes events, such as ground breakings, ribbon cuttings, presentations and educational opportunities.
• Creates independent content for multiple communication channels, including newsletters, websites, social media, speeches, reports and presentations.
• Maintains department’s website pages, including writing copy and updating site using CMS tools.
• Measures and presents results of communication efforts to department leadership and communication manager.
• Serves as primary information contact for department and coordinates responses with appropriate staff as needed.
• Researches official documents and condenses information into appropriate draft messaging on County and department issues.
• Maintains open and regular dialogue with assigned departments and Communication Services staff.
• Informs the Communications Manager of public attitudes and concerns, as well as developing issues, problems and opportunities within the organization.
• Proactively researches and develops communication plans and strategies that help meet strategic business goals, initiatives and projects and works with Communication Services staff to implement those plans.
• Takes a leadership role in department communication activities, providing strategic direction and counsel consistent with established communication standards.
• Champions strategic direction from communications manager and maintains the Arapahoe County brand on a local, state and national level.
• Anticipates department and county needs and develops plans appropriately.
• Prepares written board summary reports (BSRs) or other high-level communications for senior leadership.
• Prepares and develops budgets associated with the marketing and communication needs of the department.
• Evaluates qualitative and quantitative data regarding current communication activities and strategies.
• Oversees, creates and/or coordinates the development of strategies designed to engage citizens and key stakeholder groups, including outreach events, community meetings, special events and survey tools.
• Works with assigned department to obtain critical feedback on department policies, activities and services and develop plans to address feedback.
• Provides direction and recommendations to assigned program area on sensitive and/or high-profile issues as they relate to public relations, media relations, crisis communications and change management communications strategies.
• Assist Communications Manager in developing a strategic communications plan that supports department business goals and objectives.
• Develops and maintains an editorial calendar that supports the strategic work of assigned departments and/or programs.
• Works with the County PIO to develop media pitches and respond to reporter inquiries.
• Helps instruct and inform home department staff on communication topics, such as brand standards, style standards, workflow and operations.

REQUIREMENTS:

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Demonstrated history of progressively responsible experience.
• High level of independent thinking and judgment is required to identify and anticipate issues and to ensure that all communication and information prepared and delivered is appropriate, accurate and consistent with County standards, policies and expectations.
• Ability to work autonomously and follow-through on expected duties in a timely fashion.
• Outstanding writing, editing and proofreading skills using multiple styles and techniques, including journalism (broadcast, print, digital), business, social media and spoken word. Strong knowledge of Associated Press Styleguide is required.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with ability to influence by adopting a range of styles, tools and techniques appropriate to the audience and the nature of the information.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative and mutually respectful relationships with representatives of community, citizens, employees, and public interest groups.
• Ability to present ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing to employees, citizen groups, stakeholder groups, administrators and elected officials.
• Experience developing and executing strategic marketing and communication plans, organizing a program or event and producing collateral and other materials for training programs or public presentations.
• Collaborates with peers to find common ground to solve problems and easily gain trust and support. Must also demonstrate ability respect private and sensitive information about employees and situations.
• Service oriented: Dedicated to meeting the expectations of internal and external customers. Respond in timely and thorough manner, prioritize needs and ensure customer satisfaction.
• A collaborative work style that is able to function effectively under pressure in a deadline-driven environment with a positive can-do attitude.
• Integrity: Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems or issues, holds self to highest ethical standards, maintains confidence and creates trusted relationships.
• Lead by example with clear direction, candid feedback, and a communications style that results in trust and optimism.
• Exhibit sound independent judgment, a bias for action, and a disciplined approach to the communications craft.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced theories, principles and practices of marketing, crisis communication, advertising, public relations, brand management and community engagement and outreach.
• Specific tools used by local government to implement integrated marketing communication activities as well as engagement and community relations tools.
• Strategic planning and strategic budgeting processes.
• Journalistic-style writing and English grammar, vocabulary, spelling and punctuation, as well as advanced knowledge of Associated Press style.
• Research and analytical tools for program and plan development and evaluation.

 Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, mass communication, journalism, marketing or related field
• 5+ years of relevant experience
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree
• Background in government experience

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:
Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 60% of the time sitting and 40% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

Definitions:

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.