District Communications Manager

Job Title: District Communications Manager (Commission Office Aide)

Employment Type: Full-Time Benefits Eligible

Department: Office of the County Commissioner 

Location: DeKalb County, Georgia 

Reports To: County Commissioner Chief of Staff

Salary: Starting at $55,000

The Office is seeking a dynamic, creative, and innovative, Communications Manager to lead storytelling efforts across multiple platforms. The ideal candidate thrives on crafting compelling narratives, building community engagement, and amplifying county visibility through newsletters, social media, photography, and media relations.

The Communications Manager serves as the primary liaison between the county government and its residents, fostering transparent, and effective communication. This role demands exceptional interpersonal and organizational skills, along with the ability to manage a dynamic high pace workload that includes public relations, media engagement, and community messaging outreach.

Essential Functions:

Content Creation & Editorial

• Develop and manage monthly or bi-weekly newsletters, including writing, editing, and layout coordination
• Create engaging written content for blogs, email campaigns, and internal communications.
• Maintain a consistent brand voice across all channels
• Oversee website updates and ensure content accuracy

Social Media Strategy

• Plan, schedule, and publish content across platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, X, etc.)
• Monitor engagement, respond to comments/messages, and analyze performance metrics
• Collaborate with design and marketing teams to produce multimedia content

Photography & Visual Media

• Capture high-quality photos at events, programs, and behind-the-scenes moments
• Maintain a digital asset library (ex. Google drive) and ensure visual content aligns with brand standards
• Coordinate with videographers and external creatives as needed

Media Relations

• Draft and distribute press releases and media advisories for key announcements
• Cultivate relationships with journalists, bloggers, and media outlets
• Track media coverage and prepare reports on public relations impact

Communications Strategy & Reporting

• Develop and execute annual communications plans aligned with county goals
• Monitor KPIs and prepare monthly performance reports
• Stay current on industry trends and recommend innovative strategies

Crisis Communication

• Serve as the communications lead during emergencies, coordinating messaging and updates to ensure public safety and trust

Team Collaboration

• Work closely with internal team and other departments to align communication strategies.
• Train and supervise staff or volunteers involved in communications

Minimum Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student or a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in communications, public relations, or a related role
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills
• Proficiency in social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer)
• Experience with photography and photo editing software (e.g., Lightroom, Canva)
• Strong organizational and project management skills

Preferred Attributes

• Graphic design experience
• Familiarity with CMS (Content Management System) platforms (e.g., WordPress)
• Knowledge of SEO and digital marketing best practices

Work Environment

• This role will require some evening or weekend hours to attend events or address urgent crisis communication needs.