DUTIES
This position reports to the Colonel and is responsible for leading the strategic communications efforts of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and serves as lead public information officer and agency spokesperson. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Manage and promote the brand of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office while ensuring consistency across all marketing efforts
- Conceptualize and create internal and external communication pieces including public safety campaigns, annual reports, strategic plans, flyers, brochures, employee newsletters, staff presentations, and various other collateral
- Write news releases, op-eds, and articles for national publications while fulfilling daily public record requests and inquiries made by news media
- Maintain and foster relationships with news media, surrounding law enforcement and elected officials, community members, and other stakeholders
- Provide leadership to four creative communications professionals tasked with handling agencywide photo and video production services
- Manage the Community Affairs Office budget to ensure financial responsibility while identifying opportunities for community/business sponsorships
- Manage and maintain all agency social media platforms, mobile application, and website, in addition to developing programming and creative direction for the agency’s 10-8 TV social media series
- Organize and manage news conferences and media interviews, often with minimal time to prepare, both on- and off-site during critical incidents
- Organize, plan, and coordinate all the agency’s signature events including the annual Open House, Holiday Toy Drive, and Halloween Drive-Thru, in addition to ad hoc events including community meetings, September 11th or Law Enforcement memorial events
- Oversee the agency’s forms project to ensure consistency, while prioritizing immediate needs and member access/usability
- Make regular presentations to community groups, new employees, existing employees during in-service trainings, the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy (CLEA), and other stakeholders
- Work alongside bureau commanders to support agencywide recruitment efforts, and identify storytelling opportunities related to services, programs, and member accomplishments
- Must be available on an on-call rotation, with availability to work nights, weekends, during special events, and critical incidents
- Other duties as assigned by the Colonel and/or Sheriff
Salary: $132,971 base pay, plus $1,000 civilian employee education incentive, plus benefits, and choice of a take-home car or a $10,404.00 annual vehicle stipend.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree
- Minimum of 8 years related experience in strategic communications, law enforcement public information, public relations, television or print media, or a related field. (Preference may be given to applicants who possess strong writing skills and have prior law enforcement experience.)
- Minimum of 3 years supervisory experience.
- Valid Florida Driver’s License.
- Must submit to a complete background investigation, credit check, criminal history check, polygraph, and fingerprint submission.
This position is not subject to veterans’ preference considerations.
Please forward curriculum vitae and a writing sample that demonstrates professional writing skills to Colonel Brian Woodring, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, 6010 Cattleridge Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34232 no later than November 7, 2022. Please note, applicants must also submit a complete application.
OPEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 7, 2022