Job summary
Job post source
This job is directly from Sarasota County Government
Job overview
The Director of Communications leads and implements the county-wide communications strategy, managing internal and external messaging to promote county initiatives and brand.
Responsibilities and impact
The role involves overseeing communications operations, managing the County 311 Contact Center, Public Information, Community Outreach, and Creative Services, coordinating messaging with senior leadership, leading crisis communication, and ensuring compliance with public records laws.
Compensation and benefits
The starting pay range is $150,000 to $160,000 based on experience, with typical government benefits implied but not explicitly detailed.
Experience and skills
Requires a Bachelor's degree with 10 years of relevant experience or a Master's degree with 8 years, including supervisory experience; government communications experience is preferred.
Work environment and culture
The position works Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with flexibility to meet county communication needs, emphasizing collaboration with senior leadership and community engagement.
Company information
Sarasota County Government serves over 479,000 residents and manages diverse public services and communications for the community.
Team overview
The Director manages three functional areas: County 311 Contact Center, Public Information and Community Outreach, and Creative Services, working with embedded communication professionals across departments.
Job location and travel
The job is based in Sarasota County, with standard office hours and potential for flexible work hours as needed.
Application process
Applicants must pass a pre-employment substance screening and provide required identification and work authorization documents on the first day; the interview process may include phone, video, and in-person interviews.
Unique job features
The role uniquely combines crisis communication leadership, management of multimedia content creation, and oversight of public records coordination, distinguishing it from typical communications roles.
Company overview
Sarasota County Government is the administrative body responsible for overseeing the functions and services within Sarasota County, Florida. They manage a wide range of public services including infrastructure maintenance, parks and recreation, public safety, and community development. The county government generates revenue primarily through property taxes, service fees, and state and federal grants. Established in 1921, Sarasota County has a rich history of community engagement and development, making it a vital part of the region's growth and sustainability. Working for Sarasota County Government offers the opportunity to contribute to public service and community welfare.
How to land this job
Tailor your resume to highlight leadership in strategic communications, crisis management, and media relations, emphasizing experience with government or public sector communications to align with Sarasota County Government's needs.
Showcase your ability to oversee multiple communication functions such as public information, community outreach, multimedia content creation, and 311 contact center management, as these are key responsibilities of the Director of Communications role.
Apply through Sarasota County Government's official careers page and LinkedIn, ensuring your application is visible across multiple platforms to increase your chances of being noticed.
Connect on LinkedIn with current communications staff or senior leadership at Sarasota County Government; start conversations with ice breakers like asking about recent county initiatives, their experience working in government communications, or how the department is handling crisis communication.
Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'strategic communications,' 'media relations,' 'crisis communication,' 'public information,' 'community outreach,' and 'government communications,' ensuring it passes initial automated screenings.
Use Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate resume tailoring, multi-platform applications, and LinkedIn networking, freeing you to focus on preparing for interviews and other job search activities.
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