JOB INFORMATION

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; full-benefits; varied days and hours during FCPL regular operating schedule

This position will manage and supervise all aspects of the FCPL Communications Department, including marketing campaigns and media and press relations. Supervision is given to support staff; supervision is received from the Associate Director for Support Services.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment (pro-rated accrual rate)
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover (pro-rated accrual rate)
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (pro-rated accrual rate)
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as spokesperson for FCPL including response to media inquiries
• Establish and implement, in cooperation with Library Administration, a vision for marketing FCPL to the public and community stakeholders
• In cooperation with staff from all areas of the organization, support initiatives by coordinating publicity for large and community-wide events
• Ensure FCPL's brand is fully integrated into all operational aspects of the library's functions
• Oversee creation and production of all FCPL publications, including insuring cost-effective design and printing
• Generate publicity and manage ongoing relations with area media and trade press
• Establish contacts with media representatives and make arrangements for media coverage of FCPL services and events
• Oversee content creation for fcpl.org, and currently, lead staff workgroup working with an outside vendor to fully redesign fcpl.org and manage collecting feedback from staff and customers during the research phase of the redesign.
• Serve as a member of Frederick County Government’s Public Information Officer group, representing the library and disseminating pertinent information to Library Administration
• Oversee creation and production of all FCPL publications, signage, and displays inside and outside of branches ensuring cost-effective design and printing
• Assign, direct, supervise and evaluate Communications department staff
• Plan marketing, social media and public relations campaigns including defining customer base and target markets
• Confer with appropriate staff to determine the nature and emphasis of needed public information support
• Oversee social media accounts and customer concerns received through the Contact Us inbox
• Recommend policy pertinent to the activities of Communications Department
• Attend outreach events which may include the use of a personal or county vehicle
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum 5 years of related experience, which must include media, public relations and marketing
• Minimum 1 year work experience in a supervisory and/or lead capacity role
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of informational and public relations writing, and of related media relationships, marketing and graphic arts design and production
• Considerable knowledge of: current communications technologies appropriate for the dissemination of information; graphic arts design and production; video, television, radio and publication-related standards; social media tools and techniques
• Strong writing skills to support a range of content, including website copy, social media, email communications, and reports
• Strong copy-editing skills in AP editorial style
• Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite applications, particularly Photoshop and InDesign
• Working knowledge of public library practices and procedures
• Ability to identify opportunities for the promotion of Library goals and objectives through media, public and private community groups, and local government
• Ability to produce informative and interesting news releases, special articles, reports, scripts and other informational materials
• Ability to effectively access and utilize FCPL's computerized systems and the Internet, including the ability to effectively utilize computers for graphic arts design and production
• Ability to effectively supervise, direct and evaluate the work of others
• Ability to effectively multi-task and to organize work, establish priorities, make decisions and complete assigned duties with minimal supervision
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, vendors and the general public, with the ability to successfully interact with members of the media
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills including the ability to speak effectively before groups and to represent FCPL as communications spokesperson
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Frederick County Employee Driving Permit

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit and walk; occasionally lift up to 20 pounds and drive; rarely push and pull up to 40 pounds
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors and occasionally work outdoors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Ability to provide own transportation to meetings and other commitments as needed
• Available for varied workdays and hours within the FCPL operating schedule and, as needed, to accommodate meetings and other commitments

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):
1) An evaluation of training and experience
2) One or more interviews
3) A pre-employment physical examination and drug test

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.