Date Posted:

November 14, 2024

Salary:

$150,000 – $200,000 yearly

Description:

The Director of Public Affairs is a senior management position responsible for leading public affairs under the direction of Association leadership. The position leads public affairs strategy in support of association advocacy priorities.    This includes managing media relations; development of a strategic plan for public affairs; building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to advance CSAC advocacy priorities; overseeing public outreach initiatives focused on the role of counties. Duties also include supervision of professional, technical, and support staff and managing a budget.

Job Duties:

• Work closely with association leadership and advocacy staff to assist in messaging development of CSAC’s policy positions.
• Oversee periodic messaging and talking points on key priorities to enable Association members to be aligned with CSAC’s messaging in conversations or media engagements.
• Oversee organizational response to media inquiries about the Association.
• Perform duties associated with press relations, both proactively and reactively. This includes responding to inquiries, finding spokespeople, preparing media releases and monitoring media coverage.
• Prepare testimony, speeches, and other communications for Association leaders to deliver at events, press conferences and other public forums.
• Develop and execute plans, goals and objectives that align with the Association’s public policy priorities.
• Participate in collaborative projects with the Director of Member Engagement to ensure consistent and positive Association brand messaging.
• Supervise staff to include: prioritize and assign work; conduct performance evaluations; ensure staff is trained; ensure that employees follow policies and procedures; maintain a healthy and safe working environment; and, make hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Oversee the development and implementation of programs, policies, and procedures for the department, including strategic planning.
• Administer and monitor the departmental budget including allocating resources and approving expenditures.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

The Director of Public Affairs leads the public affairs activities of the association, manages a budget, and supervises professional, technical, and support staff.

Knowledge Required:

• Publication development process;
• Familiarity with California political landscape;
• Journalism/media markets;
• Media training;
• Internet/web development, video production and social media;
• Principles of personnel management and supervision including planning, coordinating, directing, and evaluating the work and activities of staff;
• Budgetary principles; and,
• Marketing tools.

Skills Required:

• Report writing techniques;
• Public speaking/presentation skills;
• Supervising and evaluating employees;
• Directing and managing department operations;
• Operating a computer and applicable software applications; 
• Developing and implementing new strategies;
• Preparing and monitoring budgets;
• Refined communication and interpersonal skills; must be able to interact with coworkers, supervisors, general public, etc. sufficiently to exchange or convey information and receive work direction.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public administration or a related field and seven years’ experience in communications and/or public relations, including three years in a supervisory role; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and accomplishments. Applications should be sent to resumes@counties.org