DIRECTOR of COMMUNICATIONS (Deputy Chief of Staff)

CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE FULTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office Director of Communications serves as the chief architect and steward of the Sheriff's Office's internal and external communications strategy. This executive-level leader oversees media relations, public information, crisis communications, digital engagement, and strategic messaging to strengthen public trust, enhance transparency, and support the Sheriff's mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with the Sheriff's Office mission, priorities, and community-engagement goals. Serve as the Sheriff's senior advisor on communications, public perception, and reputation management. Lead long-term planning for public information, digital outreach, and crisis readiness. Media Relations & Public Information Act as the primary spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office or designate appropriate spokespersons depending on the situation. Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets. Coordinate press conferences, briefings, interviews, and media availabilities. Ensure timely, accurate, and legally compliant responses to media inquiries and public-records requests. Crisis & Emergency Communications Lead communications during critical incidents, emergencies, and high-profile events. Develop and maintain crisis-communication protocols, messaging templates, and rapid-response workflows. Collaborate with emergency management, county leadership, and partner agencies to ensure unified messaging. Digital Communications & Public Engagement Oversee all digital platforms, including social media, website content, video production, and community-engagement tools. Implement data-driven strategies to increase transparency, improve public understanding of law-enforcement operations, and strengthen community trust. Ensure messaging is accessible, culturally competent, and aligned with community needs. Internal Communications Develop internal communication strategies to support employee engagement, morale, and organizational alignment. Provide communication support for major internal initiatives, policy changes, and organizational updates. Brand, Reputation & Content Management Maintain consistent branding, tone, and messaging across all Sheriff's Office communications. Oversee creation of press releases, talking points, speeches, reports, newsletters, and multimedia content. Monitor public sentiment, media coverage, and emerging issues to anticipate communication needs. Leadership & Administration Supervise communications staff, contractors, and vendors. Provide media-training and public-speaking coaching for command staff, deputies, et al. Ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and professional standards, including confidentiality and public-records laws. Work is performed in both office and field settings. Frequent availability outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends, and on-call response for critical incidents. May require travel for conferences, training, or regional coordination. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Administration, Marketing, or a related field . 5 plus years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, or media relations. Experience working with or supporting government, public safety, law enforcement, or emergency-response organizations . Demonstrated experience managing communications during crises or high-pressure situations. Strong writing, editing, and public-speaking skills. Experience supervising staff and managing complex projects. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in a relevant field. Prior experience in a law-enforcement agency, sheriff's office, public safety or similar public-sector environment . Formal training in crisis communications, emergency management, or incident command (e.g., FEMA ICS courses). Experience with digital-engagement analytics, social-media strategy, and multimedia content production. Ability to navigate politically sensitive environments with discretion and sound judgment. Key Competencies Strategic thinker with the ability to anticipate issues and shape public narrative. Calm under pressure , especially during emergencies or high-profile incidents. Exceptional communicator with strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills. Ethical and transparent , committed to public service and community trust. Technologically adept , with understanding of modern communication tools and platforms. Collaborative leader who can work effectively with sworn and civilian staff, elected officials, and community stakeholders.

APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT

A resume A cover letter describing relevant experience Three professional references Samples of previous communications work (press releases, campaigns, crisis statements, etc.)

Purpose of Classification:

The purpose of this classification is to perform duties related to administering and overseeing the operations and activities of Fulton County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) communications, media relations, and event planning functions. Responsibilities include overseeing the development of organizational branding and marketing for FCSO. Provides public relations support to the Fulton County Sheriff and Command Staff.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff: develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews timesheets; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and management; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures. Provides day-to-day management of public relations, marketing, social media, employee communications, and event planning functions for Fulton County Sheriff's Office. Plans, organizes, and implements positive communication programs designed to effectively reach the news media, citizens, employees, and other community agencies and researches, writes, and edits news articles regarding Fulton County Sheriff's Office. Manages internal staff contacts with the media to arrange news conferences and interviews, clarify information on issues, respond to questions regarding FCSO matters, and/or disseminate information. Coordinates media resources with FCSO internal staff regarding "hard news" events. Works with assignment desks and editors to proactively pitch positive news stories about Fulton County Sheriff's Office in local, regional and national media outlets. Serves on an on-call (24-hour) basis to advise the Sheriff, command staff, and other officials on emergency media matters. May advise FCSO officials on strategies for working with the news media. Serves as an information liaison to all local, national, and international news media. Coordinates with FCSO officials, staff, producers, editors, reporters, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems. Operates or uses various equipment, tools, and supplies in order to complete work assignments: operates and maintains media production equipment and motor vehicles; operates computers to enter data, research information utilizing spreadsheet, database, Internet, e-mail, and specialized editing software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

•All applicants must agree to and successfully pass a background investigation, drug screening and polygraph to be considered for employment with the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.•

Examination:

The examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application. Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education, and experience as listed to be rated as qualified. If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/coursework used to qualify for this position.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED IN FULL BEFORE THEY ARE SUBMITTED. PLEASE REVIEW ALL APPLICATIONS FOR ACCURACY AND MAKE ALL CORRECTIONS BEFORE SUBMITTAL BECAUSE ERRORS CAN RESULT IN NOT MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY THE FULTON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization :

Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Includes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations, referencing data analyses to determine necessity for revision of organizational components, and in the formulation of operational strategy.

Human Interaction :

Requires the ability to act as a first-line supervisor, including instructing, assigning and reviewing work, maintaining standards, coordinating activities, and evaluating employee job performance.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization :

Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude :

Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude :

Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning :

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or synthesis functions; to deal with several concrete and abstract variables; and to analyze major problems that require complex planning for interrelated activities that can span one or several work units.

Situational Reasoning :

Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable. It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, genetics, disability or sexual orientation.