Salary: See Position Description
Location : Wilmington, NC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202300158
Department: COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH
Opening Date: 06/27/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Information
New Hanover County is seeking a Communications Coordinator (Emergency Services) to help lead the development and implementation of effective communication strategies for Emergency Services. The Communications Coordinator for Emergency Services develops and carries out the county’s emergency communications strategies using media and marketing tools and technologies, specifically for the county’s Emergency Management, Fire Rescue and 911 departments. This position reports directly to the county’s Chief Communications Officer with collaborative oversight and direction from all three emergency service directors.
Essential Duties:
- Oversees Emergency Management, Fire Rescue, and 911 public communications through the development of communication strategies and procedures, to include media relations, digital media, marketing, and community engagement.
- Responds to emergency incidents, as needed, to serve as the Public Information Office on site and ensure media interviews and public information are provided in a timely and consistent manner.
- Coordinates media relations for Emergency Management, Fire Rescue and 911 by cultivating and maintaining open relationships with media representatives, writing and distributing correct, clear, accurate and timely news releases, and organizing emergency-related news conferences, special forums, interview opportunities, and events.
- Develops and implements social media strategies, digital campaigns, and website updates, consistent with the needs of the departments and in keeping with the county’s brand and policies.
- Responds to public inquiries or information needs from commissioners, county managers, news media, community partners and county employees, related to Emergency Management, Fire Rescue and 911.
- Develops and maintains strategic partnership with all other public safety entities in the area to ensure collaboration in emergency and preparedness communications.
- Oversees the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the county’s emergency notification system, the New Hanover County Joint Information System/Joint Information Center Plan, emergency public information resource guides, and the public information officer’s guide for the Brunswick Nuclear Plant.
- Assists with public education, engagement, and outreach for Emergency Management, Fire Rescue and 911, in coordination with staff within the departments.
- Coordinates internal messaging within the departments as needed, as well as assists in organization-wide emergency and employee safety communications through the development, maintenance, and utilization of internal alerts and notifications, in partnership with various county departments.
- Tracks, measures, and analyzes the performance of various communications tactics and social media used to communicate emergency information and makes appropriate adjustments.
- Serves as one of New Hanover County’s lead Public Information Officers during major crises and emergency incidents in the county and manages recovery communications after an emergency, if needed.
The Communications & Outreach department serves as the focal point for external relations for New Hanover County. The department works to effectively tell the county’s story by collaborating with departments and community groups working to support the county’s mission and by providing outreach efforts, effective media relations, strategic digital media and web content, social media engagement, and management of the county’s television station – NHCTV.
New Hanover County is dedicated to the recruitment and recognition of a talented and diverse workforce that is committed to public service. Our shared values of professionalism, equity, innovation, integrity, stewardship and accountability guide the way we conduct ourselves and deliver services to our customers. Supported by the work of our Office of Diversity and Equity, New Hanover County celebrates diversity in our employees’ backgrounds, beliefs, identities, and abilities, while supporting growth opportunities for all. Our talented team has a passion for providing care and services that effect change on the everyday lives of the citizens they encounter. The differences that unite us are a reflection of the community we serve. If this sounds like an organization that models the values you uphold, we invite you to join our team at New Hanover County.
Hours:
Hours are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday. Must be available to work during emergency situations.
Salary Information:
The current hiring range for this position is $56,351- $76,074. Salary will be determined based on qualifications, internal equity, budget, and market considerations.
New Hanover County offers:
- Employer paid 401k contributions;
- Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system;
- Flex time and telework availability, depending on your position;
- Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid holidays per year;
- Paid parental leave;
- Paid community services leave to give back to our community;
- Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work;
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options;
- Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center;
- Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives;
- Opportunities to make a difference in your community;
- And so much more!
Please check out our careers page atwww.nhcgov.com/careers for more information on why New Hanover County is a great place to work.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Communications, or a related field and (5) five years of progressively responsible communications experience in the public sector or public safety environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
- The ideal candidate will have Knowledge of public relations, marketing, and communications principles; structure of local, state, and federal governments; emergency response techniques and notification systems; communication materials and applicable software applications; media relations and news writing; and social media.
- Skilled in using computers and applicable software; preparing publication materials; conducting interviews; graphic design; desktop publishing; maintaining effective working relationships; coordinating events; providing customer service; communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
Experience working in a government or public sector role is preferred.
Licenses/Certifications
Required Licenses/Certifications:
- Valid NC Driver’s License
Other Information
Application Deadline: This position is open until filled; however, priority consideration will be given to applications received through Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Application Status:
Applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants referred to the department will receive an email requesting important information pertinent to the position applied for. Please be sure to check your email for this communication so we may proceed with the next step in the recruitment process in a timely manner. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.
New Hanover County offers a competitive benefits package designed to encourage and support your health, well-being and productivity to include
- Employer paid 401k deferred compensation contributions (5% for sworn law enforcement and 2.5% for all other benefits eligible positions);
- Retirement plan through the NC Retirement system;
- Paid sick and personal leave + 13 paid holidays per year;
- Paid parental leave;
- Paid community services leave to give back to our community;
- Education leave to obtain a degree within your line of work;
- Medical, dental, vision insurance + many other insurance options;
- Employee assistance program;
- 100% employer paid long term disability;
- Onsite, employer-paid health and wellness center which includes a nurse practitioner and physical therapist;
- Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives;
- Opportunities to make a difference in your community;
- And so much more!
Benefit options for eligible positions include medical, dental, elective supplemental insurance options including short-term disability, vision, flexible spending accounts, voluntary term life, cancer, accident, and critical illness policies. Employees who elect medical and dental insurance within the specified timelines provided during on-boarding, will have coverage effective on their date of hire. For more information about New Hanover County benefit options, including our benefit rates, please click
Please check out our careers page at for more information on why New Hanover County is a great place to work.
Note: All positions listed as temporary, casual part time, volunteer, and intern are not eligible to receive benefits. Part-time position with fewer than 20 scheduled hours per week will not include benefits.
01
Have you had your driver’s license suspended for any reason in the last three years?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Administration or a related field ?
- Yes
- No
03
If your degree is related to Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Administration, please write what field is your degree in and describe how this is related to the field of communications.
04
Please indicate your years of work experience in media/public relations which includes promoting initiatives and services.
- No work experience relating to media/public relations which includes promoting initiatives and services.
- Less than 3 years of work experience relating to media/public relations which includes promoting initiatives and services.
- 3 years but less than 4 years of work experience relating to media/public relations which includes promoting initiatives and services.
- 4 years but less than 5 years of work experience relating to media/public relations which includes promoting initiatives and services.
- 5 years but less than 6 years of work experience relating to media/public relations which includes promoting initiatives and services.
- 6 years but less than 7 years of work experience relating to media/public relations which includes promoting initiatives and services.
- 7 or more years of work experience relating to media/public relations which includes promoting initiatives and services.
05
Do you have media/public relations work experience in a government or non-profit organization?
- Yes
- No
06
Do you have previous work experience successfully using earned media to promote events, programs and strategic messages for an organization?
- Yes
- No
07
If you answered yes to the question above, please provide an example of a successful public relations campaign that you managed. If there are multiple campaigns, please describe the details of the most successful campaign that you have developed and implemented.
08
Do you have previous work experience within Emergency Services/Management?
- Yes
- No
09
If you answered yes to the question above, please provide details regarding your experience working within Emergency Services/Management:
Required Question