Information and Communication Specialist II
Job Description
Job Title: Information and Communication Specialist II
Department: Communications and Public Engagement
External Hiring Range: $58,450.38 - $74,144.21
Compensation Grade: 3004
Posted Internally and Externally
Buncombe County offers in-office, hybrid, and remote positions. Employees in positions that are approved for remote work must work at a location within a 2-hour drive from the position's assigned Buncombe County facility.
Join our team! Buncombe County’s award-winning Communications & Public Engagement team is seeking an Information & Communication Specialist II who can help our community stay informed and connected. In this role, you’ll craft clear, accessible messages for both internal and external audiences and support strategic outreach across a variety of platforms including the content management system used to update the website.
Our team is divided into two portfolios, and this position serves our general government services like Elections, Property Assessment, Tax Collections, Libraries, Planning & Development, the Governing Body, and general administrative functions from Human Resources, Finance, and Budget. We communicate through an inside-out style, empowering our employees with the knowledge to be Buncombe ambassadors in addition to building on traditional grassroots community relationship building. This position works closely with our Human Resources Department to actively plan and execute internal communications. Communications & Public Engagement team members are considered essential personnel with on-call responsibilities, and FEMA incident command training is a plus.
If you value public service, clear communication, and strengthening trust with the community, we welcome your application. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply; Buncombe County offers a stipend to bilingual employees who pass a language test after hire.
Purpose of the position:
The purpose of this position is to perform professional public relations and communications work within the community and across Buncombe County Government to ensure an integrated message that supports and reflects the mission and vision of the organization.
Minimum Education, Training and/or Experience (required at time of hire):
Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or closely related field, along with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Essential Functions of the position:
Develop effective internal and external messaging and communication materials that are consistent, branded and targeted to the appropriate audience.
Write and edit news and informational communication materials; prepare and disseminate news releases and feature stories through various public information media outlets.
May perform public relations activities that involve developing relationships and coordinating activities with County staff other agencies, divisions, and private organizations.
May assist in responding to public records requests and may serve as agency spokesperson, representing the County, or specific department at community, public and private meetings, or events.
Create content for a variety of internal and external communication channels including social media, web, email, print, TV, video, and presentations.
Develop and produce web-based communications for the internal County Intranet and on the County website, keeping content up-to-date, interesting, and interactive; and ensure all content meets brand specifications and design standards.
Conduct ongoing reviews and updates of communications materials to ensure information is current and meets the needs of the county, clients, and general public.
Responsible for researching, analyzing, and compiling various data to support community communications.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of journalistic, communication, and public relations principles and practices, as well as public relations communications practices and state public information laws.
Knowledge of the techniques for disseminating information to the public through a variety of news media.
Knowledge of the methods of planning, writing, and editing publications.
Ability to write according to correct English usage and accepted standards and magazine and press publications with an eye to graphic layout and design.
Ability to edit and analyze information materials prepared by others.
Written and verbal communication skills with ability to compose and communicate correspondence, memos, letters and reports with attention to detail and professionalism on all levels.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of vendors and other persons contacted in the course of work.
Buncombe County Government realizes the importance of a diverse professional workforce and the need to foster a responsive and innovative organizational culture, one that fully engages all of our employees, honoring and building on each employee's unique experiences, opinions, and perspective.
It is the policy of Buncombe County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, natural hair or hairstyles, ethnicity, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin or ancestry, marital or familial status, pregnancy, veteran status, religious belief or non-belief, age, or disability or any other legally protected class under federal or NC State law. EEO practices and employment decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, assignment, promotion and compensation shall not be based on any of these protected classes. In addition, the County expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment or discrimination.