About the position
The County Judge is Travis County's chief executive and presiding officer of the Commissioner's Court, the County's governing body. The County Judge and four County Commissioners oversee a budget of more than $1 billion that funds key services, including justice administration, public health, housing, and transportation and natural resources. Travis County is the fifth largest county in Texas with a population of 1.3 million people. As a member of the County Judge's Team, the Communications Advisor provides support for Travis County Judge Andy Brown in the execution of his responsibilities in the operation of County government. The Communications Advisor reports to the County Judge and to the County Judge's Chief of Staff. As the point person for the County Judge's communications, the Communications Advisor will work with the Judge and office staff to develop and implement the County Judge's communications strategies to inform residents about county services, advance key policy priorities and initiatives, and provide residents with critical information in times of emergency. The Communications Advisor oversees the gathering of community input to develop messaging and support other communications efforts.
Responsibilities
- Work with Judge Brown, the Chief of Staff, and other members of the team to develop key communications strategies.
- Initiate and lead the office's long-term strategic communications planning, development, and implementation.
- Gather and leverage community input from community residents, organizations, and advocates to inform county-wide messaging and advance public understanding of the work of Judge Brown.
- Work with the policy team and county staff to inform and engage the public on policy positions and initiatives.
- Drive and create communications material from ideation to delivery.
- Ensure major announcements and events have a comprehensive communications plan.
- Create press releases, quotes, talking points, and speeches for Judge Brown.
- Manage the coordination of public information and public relations to inform the public about the activities, services, and events of Judge Brown and the office.
- Create and edit high-quality social media and other digital content through text, photos, and videos to engage residents online and expand access to information about County services, initiatives, and events across Judge Brown's social media platforms.
- Write press releases, pitch stories to media, respond to media inquiries, coordinate press events, and strengthen working relationships with the media.
- Lead crisis communications during emergency preparation and response.
- Monitor Commissioners Court meetings, assists in related functions, and facilitates public engagement and participation in Commissioners court hearings; and works with cross-organization departments to support this work.
- Serve as back-up to the agenda coordinator, reviews agenda items, prepares court materials, and prepares or briefs the Judge on relevant issues.
- Coordinate special projects, as required, and performs other job-related duties as assigned.
- Seek out relevant community events for the County Judge to speak at and attend.
Requirements
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience in relevant positions with increasing responsibility.
- Master's degree will be accepted for two (2) years of experience.
- Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Nice-to-haves
- Bilingual.
- Five (5) years of experience in relevant positions with increasing responsibility.
Benefits
- 40 Hours per Week work schedule.
- In-person job with required attendance at meetings outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends.
