Communications Manager

Exempt (additional compensation includes a uniform allowance). Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Full benefits. Partial teleworking schedule may be available per Division policies.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members.

Position Overview
This professional position leads and oversees all communications for the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities, managing the creation and production of publications, marketing campaigns, signage, print collateral, and media and press relations. The Communication Manager serves as the Division’s representative for routine, emergency, and emerging media inquiries, shaping how the community interacts with and understands the Division’s work. The role works closely with customers, community partners, and outside organizations to develop proactive public information campaigns that raise awareness of the Division’s core mission areas including water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, recycled water production, source water protection, and water conservation efforts.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.

Benefits Overview
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package that reflects how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full‑time benefited employee.

11 days of vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment

15 days of sick leave with unlimited annual carryover

11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays

Day 1 coverage of comprehensive medical insurance plan options, including a generous County Health Savings Account contribution (if enrolled in the high‑deductible plan). Also includes dental, vision, and flexible spending benefits

Employee Health Center with no or low‑cost primary and urgent care

100% County paid 2x annual salary group term life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) benefit

County and employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Vesting after 5 years of service

Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.

Work/life balance programs: employee assistance program and employee wellness program

Generous tuition reimbursement program

Other employee‑paid benefits such as deferred compensation plan, legal resources, supplemental life insurance, critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity insurance, lifetime benefit with long‑term care plan.

Responsibilities

Oversee all marketing, public relations, brand development, communications, and community outreach

Manage Division Public Information Act requests to ensure timely and accurate public information responses

Create layouts and graphic design materials for communication products, promotional items, and social media content

Review, edit, and enhance communication materials prepared by staff to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency

Represent the division on routine, emergency, and emerging media inquiries and community concerns

Develop and implement public information campaigns to raise awareness and educate division customers on key issues

Assess outreach effectiveness and adapt communication strategies to support evolving program and organizational goals

Generate publicity and manage positive relationships with the press

Manage the Division website and create a social media presence; provide information to the public on DWSU capital improvement projects via background information and status updates

Coordinate efforts with FCG Division of Communications and Video Services

Work with regional partners (MWCOG, Potomac River Sourcewater Protection Partnership, Maryland Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies, American Water Works Association, and other water and wastewater utilities) on coordinated, regional messaging for shared concerns and interests

Take a lead role in digital crisis communications, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information across traditional media and modern digital platforms (e.g., water outages, public notices for violations of water quality standards, water use restrictions, sewage overflows, or other contamination events)

Work may include visits to DWSU treatment facilities, construction sites, or emergency repair sites to engage with the press and the public, or to obtain photographs for communication needs

Perform other related duties as required

Work Related Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field

Minimum of 3 years of experience in communications, public affairs, or media relations

Minimum of 1 year of experience supervising or managing staff

Substitutions: an Associate’s degree with 5 years experience, or a Master’s degree with 1 year experience. Additional required or preferred qualifications may apply based on operational needs as approved by Human Resources.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong and effective spoken and written English communication, including the ability to summarize complex information while maintaining consistent messaging

Proficiency in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook)

Proficiency in graphics software such as Adobe Creative Suite

Knowledge of public relations writing and media relations, marketing, and graphic arts principles, practices, and methods

Knowledge of computer applications including word processing, graphic design, spreadsheets, databases, geographic information systems, and presentation software

Extensive knowledge of Associated Press style guidelines and the ability to write concisely using simple language

Knowledge of current communications technologies, graphic arts, video and television, radio and publication related standards, social media, tools, and techniques

Competence in managing social media accounts and engaging constituents appropriately

Ability to manage strategies to inform all division activities to residents, media, and others

Ability to produce informative and interesting new releases, special articles, reports, and other materials

Ability to work independently, and complete assigned duties on deadline with minimal supervision

Ability to solve problems and develop solutions and strategies

Ability to effectively multitask and organize work, establish priorities, make decisions, and complete assigned duties with minimum supervision

Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems and the internet

Willingness to learn new techniques and platforms, research if necessary

Ability to identify and navigate sensitive issues in communications

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co‑workers, elected officials, other governmental agencies and personnel, media representatives, and members of the public

Preference

Experience in the water or wastewater field

Experience with Adobe Creative Suite

Experience using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Required to sit constantly while working in this position

Required to work indoors and rarely wear protective equipment while visiting certain job sites

Available for varied working hours (including evenings) for scheduled events, meetings, workshops, and other departmental priorities

Requires the ability to arrange and complete travel to various sites (using a car or other reliable transportation)

Examination Process

An evaluation of training and experience

One or more interviews

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee’s position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

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