Communications Manager

Salary : $77,434.44 - $131,638.55 Annually
Location : Division of Water & Sewer Utilities - Frederick, MD
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: FY26-00668
Department: Water Sewer Administration
Opening Date: 07/06/2026
Closing Date: 7/20/2026 4:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt


JOB INFORMATION
Exempt (additional compensation includes a uniform allowance); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; full-benefits ; p artial teleworking schedule may be available in accordance with Division policies.

This professional position leads and oversees all communications for the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities, managing the creation and production of publications, marketing campaigns, signage, print collateral, and media and press relations. Serving as the Division's representative for routine, emergency, and emerging media inquiries, this role plays a key part in shaping how the community interacts with and understands the Division's work. The Communication Manager works closely with customers, community partners, and outside organizations to develop proactive public information campaigns that raise awareness of the Division's core mission areas, including water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, recycled water production, source water protection, and water conservation efforts.


NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.
Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee all marketing, public relations, brand development, communications, and community outreach
• Manage Division Public Information Act requests to ensure timely and accurate public information responses
• Create layouts and graphic design materials for communication products, promotional items, and social media content
• Review, edit, and enhance communication materials prepared by staff to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency
• Represents the division on routine, emergency, and emerging media inquiries and community concerns
• Develop and implement public information campaigns to raise awareness and educate division customers on key issues
• Assess outreach effectiveness and adapt communication strategies to support evolving program and organizational goals
• Generate publicity and manage positive relationships with the press
• Manage the Division website and create a social media presence; provide information to the public on DWSU capital improvement projects in the form of background information and status.
• Coordinate efforts with FCG Division of Communications and Video Services
• Work with regional partners (MWCOG, Potomac River Sourcewater Protection Partnership, Maryland Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies (MAMWA), American Water Works Association (AWWA) and other water and wastewater utilities on coordinated, regional messaging for shared concerns and interests
• Take a lead role in digital crisis communications, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination of information across traditional media and modern digital platforms; for example, water outages, public notices for violations of water quality standards, water use restrictions, sewage overflows, or other contamination events
• Work may include visits to DWSU treatment facilities, construction sites, or emergency repair sites to engage with the press and the public, or to obtain photographs for communication needs
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in communications, public affairs, or media relations
• Minimum of 1 year of experience supervising or managing staff

Substitutions for the above-listed required education and experience are an Associate's Degree with 5 years experience as described above or a Master's degree with 1 year experience as described above. Additional required or preferred qualifications may apply based on operational needs, as approved by Human Resources.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication, including the ability to summarize complex information in written form while maintaining consistent messaging
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook
• Proficiency in graphics software such as Adobe Creative Suites
• Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of public relations writing and media relations, marketing, and graphic arts
• Considerable knowledge of computer applications including word processing, graphic design, spreadsheets, databases, geographic information systems, and presentation software
• Extensive knowledge of Associated Press style guidelines and the ability to write concisely using simple language
• Considerable knowledge of current communications technologies appropriate for the dissemination of information; graphic arts; and video and television, radio and publication related standards, social media, tools, and techniques
• Competence in managing social media accounts and engaging constituents appropriately
• Ability to manage strategies to inform all division activities to residents, media, and others
• Ability to produce informative and interesting new releases, special articles, reports, and other materials
• Ability to work independently, and complete assigned duties on deadline with minimal supervision
• Ability to solve problems and to develop solutions and strategies
• Ability to effectively multitask and organize work, establish priorities, make decisions, and complete assigned duties with minimum supervision
• Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized systems and the internet
• Willingness to learn new techniques and platforms, research if necessary
• Ability to identify and navigate sensitive issues in communications
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, elected officials, other governmental agencies and personnel, media representatives, and members of the public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Experience in the water or wastewater field
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors and rarely wear protective equipment while visiting certain job sites

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Available for varied working hours (which may include evening hours) for scheduled events, meetings, workshops and other departmental priorities
• Requires the ability to arrange and complete travel to various sites (using a car or other reliable transportation)

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews

Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to View email address on click.appcast.io
Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance :
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.


Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment


NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $3,400 per year for Health Care Spending and $7,500 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Supplemental Life Insurance is also offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, their spouse, and their dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time. Contribution maximums are set each year by the IRS.


Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may apply for education reimbursement for courses that can improve or develop an employee's capabilities related to their current job or for a promotional opportunity within Frederick County Government. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related issue or concern.

Leave
Annual Leave - Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 - 2 years 11 days
2 - 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.


NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, and Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.


For additional information on Frederick County Government's benefits package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at


All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the all benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013.
01


Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History section of this application. Your application may be considered incomplete if vague descriptions of experience are included or if you cite experience in your supplemental question response that is not included on the Work History section of this application. When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience based on the information submitted, or if you state "see resume" as your response, your application may not be considered further.

• I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.

02


Which best describes your level of education?

• Less than Associate's degree received
• Associate's degree received
• Bachelor's degree received
• Advanced degree received

03


In the text box below, please enter the field of study for the degree you earned.
04


How many years of experience in communications, public affairs, or media relations do you have?

• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year of experience
• 2 years of experience
• 3 years of experience
• 4 years of experience
• 5 or more years of experience

05


Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be considered further.
06


Do you have 1 year of experience supervising or managing staff?

• Yes
• No

07


Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be considered further.
08


Do you have experience using social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram?

• Yes
• No

09


Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
10


Do you have experience with Adobe Creative Suite?

• Yes
• No

11


Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
12


Do you have experience in the water or wastewater field?

• Yes
• No

13


Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
Required Question