Communications Director

2026 Saline County

Communications Director

Job Description

Exempt: Yes

Department: County Judge

Reports To: County Judge and/or County Judge's Administrative Manager

Location: Courthouse

Safety Sensitive: No

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Communications Director serves as the primary media contact and communication strategist for Saline County. Reporting directly to the County Judge, this position is responsible for managing all internal and external communications, public relations, public information dissemination, and digital media presence.

The ideal candidate will foster collaborative relationships with all County Elected officials to promote departmental projects, ensure transparency by broadcasting official county meetings, and engage the public with stories and news from across Saline County and neighboring municipalities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assists in developing promotional and educational materials and programs that increase awareness of County services and activities among government agencies, civic organizations, schools, media, and the public.
2. Prepares written communications for internal and external audiences by collaborating with County departments and elected officials to gather and communicate accurate information.
3. Assists in promotion of Saline County Government at community events, job fairs, meetings, and other events as needed.
4. Writes news releases, articles, and media advisories while coordinating media coverage and interviews for County events.
5. Responds to routine inquiries via social media, email, and phone.
6. Utilizes a content calendar to ensure timely posting of social media content and other news releases.
7. Develops, manages, and evaluates the County's social media strategy and online presence to effectively communicate County news, programs, services, and activities.
8. Analyzes and recommends communication methods and strategies to maximize public, internal, and external access to County information.
9. Identifies areas of need and opportunities through communication with County leadership and residents.
10. Reports directly to the Saline County Judge while providing communications, marketing, and public information support to all County elected officials, offices, departments, boards, and commissions as needed.
11. Serves as the primary administrator of the Saline County website, coordinating all website updates with the County's website vendor, maintaining current and accurate content, and ensuring appropriate user access for County offices and departments.
12. Plans, organizes, promotes, and provides logistical support for County-sponsored events including, but not limited to, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, ceremonies, public dedications, and community outreach events.
13. Utilizes and manages a variety of communication platforms, including the County website, social media, CodeRED, digital signage, billboards, televisions, and other communication tools to effectively disseminate County information.
14. Coordinates County participation in annual community initiatives, public awareness campaigns, and special projects.
15. Publishes agendas, minutes, notices, and other official documents to the County website for County boards, commissions, committees, and public meetings in accordance with applicable laws and County policies.
16. Attends Saline County Quorum Court meetings held on the third Monday of each month and operates the livestream broadcast of the proceedings.
17. Collaborates with communications professionals representing municipalities, school districts, chambers of commerce, state agencies, and other partner organizations to coordinate messaging and promote County initiatives.
18. Develops long-term communication strategies, branding initiatives, and public information campaigns to promote County programs, services, capital improvement projects, and community engagement.
19. Maintains historical records of County projects, events, and initiatives through photographs, videos, and other communication materials for archival and historical purposes.
20. Develops graphic designs, digital content, presentations, videos, and other multimedia materials to support County communications, marketing, public education, and outreach initiatives.
21. Performs any other related duties as required or assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Prefer completion of a bachelor's degree in communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Business Administration, Marketing or a related field with 2-3 years related experience and/or training. Proficiency in operating Audio/Visual equipment, live-streaming software and broadcasting platforms. Strong working knowledge of social media management tools, website content management systems (CMS), and basic graphic design platforms (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with strict attention to detail.
• Ability to build trust and work collaboratively with diverse groups, including elected officials, department heads, press members, and the public.
• Strong public speaking and media presentation skills.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Ability to use common sense understanding in order to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few known variables in situations of a routine nature.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

It is mandatory for this position to have and maintain a valid Arkansas driver's license during employment in this position. This position also requires traveling to and from public meetings, off-site press conferences and emergency scenes.


PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

FEMA Public Information Awareness and Basics; FEMA Advanced Public Information Officer; FEMA Executive Public Information Officer Program.

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED

Advanced: Word Processing/Typing, Digital Design Software

Intermediate: PowerPoint, Spreadsheet, Accounting/Budgeting

RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK OF OTHERS

Coordinates, consults and may provide directions to all elected officials and senior office staff.

PUBLIC CONTACT

This position will represent the organization to external groups, including local media and neighboring city officials. Because these relationships directly impact our public reputation and finances, sound judgment and clear communication are essential.

EMPLOYEE CONTACT

This position will work closely with senior employees and elected officials in each office on internal discussions regarding publications for each office. Success requires requires a well-developed sense of strategy and timing.


USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS

Regular use of highly complex machines and equipment; specialized or advanced media programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS

May involve heavy travel and/or work in the evening during the night hours to attend meetings and/or events well as involve working on holidays or during inclement weather.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Semi-repetitive, low physical. Semi-repetitive type work which requires periods of concentration for varied time cycles as prescribed by the tasks.

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear; frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and occasionally required to stand, walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and color vision.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and techniques of media production and communication.
• Considerable knowledge of business and publishing platforms.
• Considerable knowledge of communication strategies through social media websites.
• Considerable knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the rules of composition and grammar.
• Good knowledge of various County departments and functions and locations.
• Ability to write news releases, articles and other materials such as brochures, flyers, and pamphlets.
• Ability to design various social media and television graphics.
• Ability to conduct informational research.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Skill in communicating effectively in writing is appropriate for the needs of the audience.

The duties listed above are intended only to show the various types of duties that will be performed. The omission of a specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. All positions within the County Judge's Office are assigned by the County Judge and/or his representative and are subject to be changed when deemed in the best interest of the Office.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Saline County and the employee and is subject to change by the employer if the need of the employer and requirements of the job change.

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

• Starting rate of $73,120
• This is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• EXPERIENCE PREFERRED - Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Business Administration or Marketing or a related field with 2-3 years related experience and/or training. Proficiency in operating Audio/Visual equipment, live-streaming software and broadcasting experience.
• This position is scheduled to work Monday/Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM with paid holidays off and some evenings required for meetings or conferences. This position may involve working on some holidays or during inclement weather.

• Bilingual pay of $2,080 is available once proficiency has been established.
• Group health, dental and life insurance is paid by the County for the employee's coverage provided the employee obtains a wellness check within the designated time frame.
• For employee retirement, the County contributes 15.32% per pay period of the employee's gross towards the employee's retirement through the Arkansas Public Employees' Retirement System.

SALINE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER