MCSO Communication Specialist I - Full-Time

MCSO Communication Specialist I - Full-Time

Salary Range: $56,299-$73,892

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office hires professionals that desire to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and our community through excellent customer service, good judgment, and integrity while maintaining safe and secure facilities. If you are interested in making a difference in the community, positively influence others, and working for the citizens of Mecklenburg County, then MCSO wants you to come Join Our Team.

Position Summary
Incumbents' primary responsibilities of this position include, but not limited to, creating engaging content and sharing to various social channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, etc.) updating social media posting schedules, replying to comments from followers, staying on top of current social media trends, measuring success of social media campaigns, developing a social media strategy to increase our branding and engaging and taking photos and video for agency events.

The ideal candidate is bilingual (fluent in English and Spanish), self-motivated, a team player, takes initiative and can be trusted to work independently and will represent the Sheriff’s Office with the utmost professionalism and positively. The position requires strong organizational and multitasking skills, as well as excellent written communication and copywriting skills. Please note, flexibility in schedule and ability to work nights/weekends is required to attend community events as needed.

Essential Functions

Manage internal and external communications, as assigned.

Perform research; stay informed of the latest social media trends, MCSO media coverage, and SEO best practices; gather and evaluate data and information for communication planning and delivery; monitor and recommend communication opportunities and technologies that align with goals and strategies of assignment; evaluates communications results.

Serve as a department liaison and provide communications support; assist with media inquiries; coordinate departmental response to information requests and inquiries; participate in meetings; facilitate the provision of responses and solutions to customer concerns.

Prepare and coordinate content for news releases, announcements, newsletters, and presentations; edit departmental communications; gather and edit content; write articles; prepare speaking points; coordinate and evaluate correspondence, management reports, and information released to the media.

Provide media relations support focusing on community outreach, audience targeting and engagement; plan, create, monitor and edit web content and campaign communications; coordinate social media communications and select appropriate platforms.

Identify, develop, implement and maintain processes and practices that encourage, support and promote effective, comprehensive and meaningful citizen engagement.

Participate and provide event and special project coordination and support of promotional items, communications and related resources.

Attend agency events (weekdays and select weekends) to cover the agency's initiatives while creating connections within the community.

Produce engaging short-form content, including reels and TikToks, along with drafting captions and hashtags, and preparing posts for approval.

Pitch and develop platform-specific strategies, campaigns, and marketing products.

Communication Specialist, I may be required to perform the following duties, as necessary
Perform a variety of administrative activities in support of the public information office, which may include addressing letters for mailing; compiling information for packets; setting up rooms for meetings; delivering informational packets; making directional signs for meetings; and/or, performing other related activities.

Prepare, edit and design publications and brochures; review and verify style; coordinate and/or build graphics and layout; capture, take and/or select photographs; prepare and gather content; and coordinate print materials production.

As a part of the interview process, candidates will be asked to research and create a concise presentation (10-15 minutes) on a social media strategy that they believe could aid in our initiatives for one of the following:

Advertising recruitment

Promoting Sheriff McFadden's endeavors

Publicizing our Community Engagement Team's events and efforts

Increasing public safety awareness

Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in public relations, Communication or related field and four years of public relations experience. Proven work experience with social media and knowledge of search engine optimization are a plus. This position may require a valid driver's license.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement
This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor's request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at anytime. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.

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