Public Affairs Specialist

Job Title: Public Affairs Specialist

Department: County Manager’s Office

Reports To: County Manager’s Office

Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Compensation Range: $65,000 to $75,000

Benefits: Employee Benefits | Lake County, CO

Join a workplace where public service meets opportunity. At Lake County Government, employees are empowered to grow, collaborate, and make a meaningful impact every day. We offer a supportive environment that values innovation and connection, with reliable compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to helping you succeed both professionally and personally.

• Assume Good Intent: Approach each interaction with positive mindset and openness to understand others.
• Model Professionalism: Maintain high standards in behavior and communication that reflects our values.
• Apply County Wide Lens: Consider the broader impact of decisions on our community and organization as a whole.
• Be Solutions-Oriented: Focus on finding constructive solutions rather than dwelling on problems or challenges.
• Practice Servant Leadership: Prioritize the needs of others, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Support Meaningful Work-Life Balance: Encourage boundaries that support personal well-being while achieving professional responsibilities.

The Public Affairs Specialist serves as the county’s primary point of contact to disseminate current and accurate information to stakeholders, media and the public regarding county operations and initiatives. The position is responsible for developing strategic communications plans, standardizing communications procedures and protocols, and communicating effectively verbally and in writing to various stakeholder groups. The position supports the County Manager’s Office by planning outreach and public engagement events and developing briefings, presentations, and other communications collateral to increase public awareness and governmental transparency.

As a liaison with the community, the position monitors media and social media to keep leadership apprised of public sentiment. The position also serves as the county’s public information officer during emergency and disaster response.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Develops strategic communications plans and standard operating procedures for the submission, review, and clearance of official county messaging.
• Plans and implements stakeholder engagement and outreach events including community meetings, listening sessions, town halls, etc.
• Communicates official county messaging through various channels – including but not limited to speaking engagements, news releases, social media, website, newsletters, etc.
• Maintains relationships with county staff and remains apprised of developments within departments to provide public affairs and communications support.
• Maintains relationships with external partners and the media to effectively communicate items of relevance to various audiences.
• Establishes and enforces vetting protocols for all public-facing digital content to ensure brand consistency, unified messaging, accuracy and compliance across departments.
• Manages the county website and develops approval protocols for the design and posting of official information. Ensures website is accurate and up to date through regular revision process.
• Manages official county social media accounts and coordinates social media posting and campaigns across departments. Ensures consistent branding and messaging.
• Drafts and designs flyers, presentations, talking points, and official county messaging to be disseminated to…