NOTE:
It is required to submit a cover letter, résumé and three writing samples including things like news releases, clips, or other relevant professional samples with your online application. Attach the required materials to the application prior to submitting.
About Us
The Chesterfield County Department of Constituent and Media Services operates as a comprehensive agency providing communications and other support to county leaders and more than 40 county departments. We disseminate information to more than 370,000 residents, as well as businesses and visitors, and play a key role in projecting Chesterfield’s well-earned reputation as a leader in local government. Using a comprehensive set of communications tools and platforms, combined with a diverse mix of staff talent, we work cooperatively with internal and external partners to tell Chesterfield’s story and ensure accessibility in a variety of formats including blogs, podcasts, media relations, social media, direct marketing, and the county’s website. Constituent and Media Services plays an integral part in how Chesterfield connects and engages with residents.
Job Position Overview
The award-winning Constituent and Media Services Department’s Communications and Media Division is looking for a Public Information Officer (PIO). You need to be an excellent communicator and someone who not only has experience working with media outlets to get information to the public but also understands the tools and creativity needed in order to do so.
Our PIO needs to be part strategist, part information provider, part spokesperson, and part project manager. This position serves as the primary communications liaison between the organization and the media. The person in this position is responsible for helping to develop and then execute communication strategies that promote collaboration and transparency, build public trust, and ensure timely, accurate dissemination of information. The PIO supports county leadership, our department, and elected officials by coordinating messaging, managing media relationships, and helping to spearhead public engagement efforts.
As a member of our digital and media relations team, the PIO serves as the primary point of contact for media and external communications on behalf of the county. This position drafts and distributes news releases, media advisories, official statements, and other written materials as needed. They coordinate interviews with leadership and subject matter experts. The PIO responds to media inquiries in a timely and professional manner, including cold-calling journalists and media outlets to ensure information is reported accurately. They also will go on camera from time to time as necessary to represent and advocate for our organization. The PIO, who may also be called upon to prepare talking points and remarks, monitors media coverage to ensure that leadership is kept informed of public narratives and emerging issues within our community, region, and state.
In addition, the PIO is responsible for helping to develop and implement crisis communication strategies to ensure accurate, consistent, and timely messaging during emergencies or high-profile situations. This role works closely with the Digital and Media Relations Manager as well as the Assistant Director to coordinate communications and maintain public trust. It is the PIO’s job to ensure that all public-facing information remains clear, accessible, and aligned across various platforms.
The PIO supports public engagement and transparency efforts by promoting public meetings, events, and initiatives both with local media via story pitches as well as through various releases and advisories. This position helps develop communications campaigns for a variety of county departments as the county translates complex governmental information into clear, accessible language to support initiatives which strengthen community relationships and public trust.
Internally, the PIO is also tasked with assisting with employee communications and leadership messaging to ensure consistent and coordinated information sharing across departments. The role supports organizational branding and strategic communication planning, working with leadership to develop long-term communication goals and evaluate performance against established objectives.
You should know that our department is focused on keeping up with best practices and applying them; just because something is done one way doesn’t mean it should (or will) always be done that way. We learn and adapt in real time as we seek to provide comprehensive communications services to our customers. This position is hard work and includes a lot of odd hours, but you will be able to help our team continue to chart the course for how local government can and should communicate and connect with residents, especially as the media landscape continues to change and evolve.
This is a full-time position that will work alongside other members of our content team handling all communications for the division and department. While you will have standard work hours, there will be numerous instances where you will be tasked with working outside of traditional business hours, including things like taking calls from members of the media. This position plays a critical role in the overall communications hierarchy. In the event of inclement weather or other emergencies, you will be expected to work outside of regular hours to put out critical public information and answer media inquiries.
All told: Local government is a 24/7 operation. The work is challenging but rewarding. This job is about working collaboratively and independently while serving an outstanding community. You will be joining a team whose members recognize, value, and demonstrate the power of strong relationships and collective talent.
Ideally you have a passion for learning about a variety of topics and a keen eye for finding new and fun ways to share stories with residents via media partners while also being able to evaluate and offer insight into the means by which we should reach those residents. You must not only be familiar with the tools used by modern PIOs but extremely proficient and comfortable using them.
Valid driver’s license and good driving record are required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, records must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the 24 months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding 36 months. Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date.
Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification are also required.
This position is a part of an approved Career Development Plan (CDP) and offers career progression opportunities and salary incentives, as funding permits, based on performance, qualifications, and experience.Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, or Journalism; two years of related experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. Also, having three to five years of full-time progressively responsible professional experience in communications, media relations, public affairs, or a related discipline is strongly preferred. Experience working with a governmental or public sector organization is a plus. Direct interaction with media, elected officials, and community stakeholders will be a constant.
To join our collaborative team, you are also required to:
- Have excellent communication skills
- Have the ability to develop and execute strategic communication plans
- Have the capability to manage and respond to media inquiries
- Have experience producing high-quality content under tight deadlines
- Have excellent collaborative instincts and customer-service skills
- Be able to consistently juggle multiple assignments at once
- Be able to work well in crisis or emergency situations
- Be able to take initiative and prioritize projects
- Be able to act as the lead spokesperson for the county, including during crisis situations
- Be committed to producing engaging, compelling written communications
- Be able to work independently and collaboratively with clients and the Communications and Media team to develop clear and concise messaging consistent with the county's brand
- Be self-motivated and detail oriented
Other Experience Preferred:
- Experience as an on-camera spokesperson
- Experience using content management systems
- Experience working directly with media entities
- Experience creating content on tight timeframes
- Experience in government
We’d Love to Talk to You
To apply, click the “apply” link above to submit a Chesterfield County online application.
NOTE: It is required to submit a cover letter, résumé and three writing samples, with your online application. Attach the required materials to the application prior to submitting.
ALSO: Must maintain personal mobile technology as a condition of employment.
Monday - Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Communications and Media
