Job Details
Salary: Negotiable
Location : Arlington, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Permanent
Job Number: 0110-24A-CMO-HQ
Department: County Manager's Office
Opening Date: 03/15/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Information
Arlington County is seeking an Assistant County Manager of Communications and Public Engagement to lead the overall countywide public engagement and communications strategy, ensuring that the framework for communications from and to the public is established and maintained, and for collaborating with other County agencies, the Board, constituent groups, and inter-jurisdictional/regional organizations on matters that cross organizational boundaries.
The Job
The Assistant County Manager (ACM) reports directly to the County Manager and manages the Office of Communications and Public Engagement (CAPE), which includes Communications, Public Engagement, and Arlington Video Group. As a member of the Executive Leadership team, the ACM also leads best practices in communication and engagement practices across Arlington County Government and serves as a key spokesperson for the County and provides leadership by:
- Setting and communicating a strategic vision for communications and engagement across Arlington County Government;
- Providing timely, and effective information to the community on important topics, while providing tools and channels that make it easy for people to access and understand information and provide input to the County;
- Championing and implementing innovative ways of achieving public engagement to improve customer service; and
- Engaging community leaders and other stakeholders in on-going dialog involving County initiatives;
- Collaborating with and advising other Communications and Engagement staff and department management across the enterprise regarding the messaging of information and the public engagement strategies;
- Establishing and sustaining a positive work environment that enhances staff development, learning, and high performance.
The ideal candidate will have experience and a record of success in:
- Designing and implementing public engagement processes for governmental and/or nonprofit organizations;
- Developing communication strategies concerning public policy or similar complex communications, such as government budget processes; economic development programs; transportation, planning and development and other government related issues;
- Advising and assisting senior executives in presenting information and developing public information programs for a variety of audiences covering complex and technical matters;
- Leveraging information technology and social media to support organizational (internal and external) communications;
- Establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships and partnerships with a broad array of stakeholders with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and interests;
- Preparing and presenting oral and written reports, presentations, and other forms of communications tailoring the message for different audiences and media;
- Managing staff, developing budgets, and facilitating interdisciplinary workgroups.
For more information about the Office of Communications and Public Engagement, including the latest news releases, click
For more information about the County, please click
Selection Criteria The successful candidate will have the following:
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in a related area; and
- Extensive senior management experience in public engagement, public relations, media relations, or communications, preferably in an urban municipal or similar setting.
Desirable skills:
- A commitment to the provision of information to the public in accordance with the spirit and letter of the law.
- An open and collaborative work style with the ability to communicate appropriately with all levels across the organization.
- Ability to facilitate, negotiate, mediate, and compromise on controversial, sensitive matters.
- Ability to be understanding of, and to function effectively in, a community with diverse attitudes and interests, together with strong citizen participation in community affairs.
- Ability to manage a multi-faceted program through subordinate supervisors in a proactive, effective manner that effectively addresses multiple needs of a diverse organization; and
- Knowledge of digital tools, online engagement platforms, in-person facilitation strategies and other key strategies to advance communications and engagement practices.
Special Requirements Please provide a cover letter addressing how your education, experience and training, and accomplishments meet the qualification requirements. Please be sure to address any qualifications related to public engagement and communication, both internally and externally.
Please use the space provided in the Supplemental Questions section of the online application for your cover letter or attach it to your online application.
Additional InformationThe salary is negotiable up to $250,120.00. This position is opened until filled; however, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply not later than
April 5, 2024 The Director of Communications and Public Engagement is part of the Executive Management Accountability Program (EMAP), a pay-for-performance management system, in which Senior Executives are eligible for a negotiated salary/benefits package and are evaluated and compensated on the basis of a performance agreement linked to the County Management Plan and results achieved.
As an Employer of Choice, Arlington County offers a generous benefit package including:
- Excellent health and dental plans, including retiree medical and dental coverage
- Life and disability insurance
- Retirement program that includes a defined benefit plan, an optional 457 plan, and an optional deferred retirement option plan (DROP)
- Minimum of 10 paid holidays, plus generous leave program
- Alternative transportation programs, including subsidized mass transit and bike/walk benefits
- Continuous learning program that includes tuition reimbursement
For details about our benefits please follow the
Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) ###-#### or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.
The examination process for this position may include: (1) training and experience evaluation; (2) written and oral examination; (3) personal interview; (4) performance test/work sample; and/or (5) physical examination.
Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 703-###-#### (voice) or email .
Eligibility for Arlington County Government employee benefits depends on your position type (permanent or temporary) and your status (full-time or part-time).
More detailed information on benefits and conditions of employment is available on the Arlington County Human Resources Department website: www.arlingtonva.us/pers.
Permanent, Full-Time Appointments All jobs are permanent, full-time appointments unless otherwise stated in the announcement. The following benefits are available:
Paid Leave: Vacation leave is earned at the rate of five hours biweekly. Leave accrual increases gradually until eight hours of leave are earned biweekly for twelve or more years of service. Sick leave is earned at the rate of four hours biweekly. Paid parental and family leave benefits are also offered. Leave is pro-rated for part-time employees.
Holidays: There are eleven paid fixed holidays each year, as well as two floating holidays. Initial allotment of floating holidays may vary based on when you are hired.
Health and Dental Insurance: Four group health insurance plans are offered - a health maintenance organization, two plans with in-network only coverage, and a high-deductible plan with in and out-of-network coveerage, along with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Group dental insurance is also offered, with two options for coverage. The County pays a significant portion of the premium for these plans for employees and their dependents. The County also contributes to the HSA.
Life Insurance: Basic life insurance is provided at no cost to employees. The benefit is one times annual salary. Additional life insurance may be purchased for yourself, spouse, and/or children.
Retirement: The County retirement program is made up of three parts: a defined benefit (pension) plan, a defined contribution plan (401(a)), and a deferred compensation plan (457). The defined benefit plan provides a monthly retirement benefit based on your final average salary and years of service with the County. You contribute a portion of your salary on a pre-tax basis to this plan. General employees contribute 4% of pay; uniformed public safety employees contribute 7.5% of pay. The County also contributes to this plan. Employees become vested in the plan at five years of service.
For general employees, the County also contributes 4.2% of pay to a defined contribution plan (401(a)). The 457 deferred compensation plan allows you to save for retirement on either a pre-tax (457b) or post-tax (457 Roth) basis up to the IRS annual limit. New employees are automatically enrolled with a pre-tax contribution equal to 2% of your pay. A variety of investment options are available for the 401(a) and 457 plans.
Other Benefits: The County also offers health care, dependent care, and parking flexible spending accounts; adoption assistance, tuition reimbursement; transit and walk/bike to work subsidies; a college savings plan; wellness programs; training opportunities; and a variety of other benefits.
Permanent, Part-Time Appointments: Part-time employees who work ten or more hours per week receive paid leave and benefits in proportion to the number of hours worked per week.
Limited Term Appointments: Benefits are the same as permanent appointments except that the employees do not achieve permanent status.
Temporary Regular Appointments: Temporary regular employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health, dental, and basic life insurance as described above. They are also eligible for vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays.
Temporary Seasonal and Occasional Appointments: Temporary employees who work on a seasonal basis or variable hours receive sick leave, but do not normally receive other paid leave or benefits. Exceptions are noted in individual announcements.
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Please provide a cover letter addressing how your education, experience and training, and accomplishments meet the qualification requirements. Please be sure to address any qualifications related to public engagement and communication, both internally and externally.
Required Question