Public Affairs Coordinator

Description JOB SUMMARY – Under the direction of the Public Affairs Director, the Public Affairs Coordinator serves as a community liaison to strengthen local partnerships and reinforce the Sheriff’s Office mission and values through in person and digital methods. This position manages social media content, supports public relations and crisis communications, coordinates community outreach efforts, and builds positive relationships with the public, media, and community partners. Example of Duties ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS - Essential functions are the fundamental and primary duties of a classified position that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, in order to fulfill the purpose of the position.

• Cultivates high morale and a team culture within the Sheriff’s Office;
• Develop social media campaigns and content with consistent messaging for public safety awareness, community outreach programs, employee recognition, recruitment efforts, crime prevention and agency initiatives.
• Maintain a content calendar to include graphics, short-form video, and copy.
• Target opportunities for community engagement through in-person events, social activities, and traditional media.
• Build relationships with Sheriff’s Office personnel, media outlets, and community partners via routine outreach and emergency communications.
• Represent the Sheriff’s Office at community events and public meetings, and assist with the planning and staffing of events as needed.
• Support crisis communication efforts during emergencies and work in the Joint Information Center if activated. Be knowledgeable of the Sheriff’s Office Crisis Communications Plan.
• Pursue training opportunities for continued professional development in communications, public relations and related fields, and instill that knowledge in other Members of the Sheriff’s Office.
• Monitor communications trends, public sentiment, and local issues to identify opportunities for timely, accurate, and proactive messaging.
• Monitor news coverage and social media analytics to evaluate communication effectiveness and recommend improvements based on best practices for government and law enforcement entities.
• Monitor and update the Sheriff’s Office mobile app and webpage content to include community resources and events, public notices, career opportunities and more to support transparency and accessibility.
• Strengthen public perception and understanding of the Sheriff’s Office Mission, Vision, and Core Values.
• Report to the Public Affairs Director and collaborate on community-based and digital media projects.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS – To perform this position successfully, an individual(s) shall possess the following knowledge and skills in order to perform the essential functions proficiently.

• Strong writing, organization, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of the local and state criminal justice system.
• Intermediate proficiency with modern office equipment, software applications, and procedures.
• Ability to become proficient in all County and Department policies and procedures.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while effectively prioritizing and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make well-reasoned decisions under high-stress conditions.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to foster productive, cooperative working relationships with employees, supervisors, external partners, public officials, and the general public.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE – The preferred way to obtain the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position are listed below. The County reserves the right to consider higher levels of education in lieu of training and experience and vice-versa.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in communications, marketing strategy, social media, public relations;
• Advanced experience in social media platforms, editing software such as Adobe Creative Suite and Canva, and analytical tools such as Hootsuite and Meta Business Suite.

OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS – Applicants must be able to meet all of the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for employment.

• 18 Years of age or older
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Possess a valid Texas Driver’s License
• Be a United States Citizen (Born or Naturalized)
• Have a working cell phone
• No more than 20/200 vision that is correctable to 20/20;
• No convictions or court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order;
• Honorable Discharge from Military Service (If applicable)

Supplemental Information ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS – This position may involve exposure to hazardous, dangerous, or adverse environmental conditions to include, but not limited to:

• Duties and training are regularly performed both indoors and outdoors.
• Work may occur during natural and man-made disaster situations.
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat, extreme cold, rain, sleet, snow, ice, and high winds.
• Exposure to biohazardous and toxic materials.
• Work in both bright and low-light environments.
• Exposure to high noise levels that may result in potential hearing damage.
• Work in and around high-voltage areas.
• Work in areas with operating heavy machinery.
• Work in spaces that may not be compliant with local, state, and federal safety codes or ADA regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS – The duties of this position may involve certain physical requirements that are necessary to perform the essential functions to include, but not limited to:

• Perform physical activities including walking, running, crawling, standing, sitting, jumping, kneeling, bending, and lying down for extended periods;
• Perform physical tasks involving carrying, pushing, pulling, dragging, and holding medium objects;
• Operate vehicles, exercising sound judgment and strict adherence to safety procedures;
• Engage in high-stress and physically demanding duties and training scenarios;
• Speak and hear in order to communicate effectively in person, through telephone, and through emergency radios.

DISCLAIMER - This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions associated with the position. The employer reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other related work as required to meet operational needs. Nothing in this job description shall be construed as creating a contract of employment or limiting management rights. All duties must be performed in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures. Essential functions of the position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation, consistent with state and federal law.

Benefits

Brazoria County is a local government entity that offers competitive salaries with an excellent benefits package, which includes:

Government Pension through TCDRS with 7% fixed interest and a county match of 2:1 at retirement; we do not pay into Social Security but instead contribute to a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan as an additional savings for retirement (VOYA).

Excellent medical/dental insurance (Aetna) for employees and dependent coverage rates. Free employee health clinic and free tele-health services.

Section 125 Cafeteria Plans including- Aflac, Humana and others; free LTD; free Life Insurance coverage up to $200 (age reduction); with AD&D.

Employee Assistance Program for all employees and any member of household; 14 paid holidays, vacation and sick benefits.

At retirement, a free paid up $50K Life Insurance policy; a 401h retiree medical reimbursement plan, free access to our employee health clinic.