Director, Communications Productions Division
Apply NowCompany: Fairfax County, VA
Location: Fairfax, VA 22030
Description:
Salary : $114,039.74 - $199,569.55 Annually
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ32), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 25-00726
Department: Cable & Consumer Services
Opening Date: 03/22/2025
Closing Date: 4/4/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: M03
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement
Directs the work of the Communications Productions Division of over 20 merit positions including producers, assistant producers, media technicians (videographers), engineers, graphic artist and administrative staff, along with an additional 16 freelance positions supporting production needs. This position provides key leadership in the county's outreach and engagement efforts with a focus on the county's Strategic Plan Community Outcome Areas and One Fairfax. This position also serves as a member of the department's senior leadership team. The division director establishes operational objectives designed to provide high quality communications service delivery and achieve county and department communication and engagement goals.
Illustrative Duties
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
Directs the work of the Communications Productions Division of over 20 merit positions including producers, assistant producers, media technicians (videographers), engineers, graphic artist, and administrative staff, along with an additional 16 freelance positions supporting production needs;
Provides key leadership in the County's outreach and engagement efforts with a focus on the County's Strategic Plan Community Outcome Areas and One Fairfax;
Establishes operational objectives designed to provide high quality communications service delivery and achieve County and department communication and engagement goals;
Manages the daily operations of a multimillion-dollar communications production center and cable television station;
Provides supervision to an interdisciplinary staff of producers, videographers, engineers, graphic artist, and administrative staff working in specialized teams to serve the communications production needs of the County;
Supervises the development of County-wide programming content to meet the informational needs of residents and employees;
Participates in telling the story of Fairfax County through traditional communications and new media technologies;
Ensures that materials and productions align with the Fairfax County brand, mission, values, and goals;
Ensures that organizational initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to internal and external stakeholders;
Increases stakeholder engagement and advances interest in Fairfax County;
Contributes content for Fairfax County social media accounts to build brand awareness;
Oversees the Fairfax County Training Network channel, delivering information and training programming to all County employees;
Coordinates and supervises the technical operations of the County-wide emergency message system for public information;
Develops recommendations for the annual division budget, performance measures, long-range equipment replacement plans, and procurement of equipment and services to meet operational needs;
Conducts studies;
Prepares reports;
Testifies before the Board of Supervisors and legislative and regulatory groups on matters pertaining to government, educational, and public access channels;
Makes recommendations on all proposed changes to cable franchise agreements or other telecommunications proposals;
Represents the County in presentations to community groups, government advisory boards, other jurisdictions, and businesses on communications issues.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Knowledge of the principles, methods, and problems of television and communications management;
Extensive knowledge of media practices for determining and developing contracts for actors, scripts, set design, repairs, supplies, and equipment;
Extensive knowledge of franchise obligations related to programming and production;
Extensive knowledge of the mission, goals, objectives, funding sources, organizational structure, workload, and staffing of the organizational unit or program to which the incumbent is assigned;
Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques relating to the functional area of business operation;
Extension knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements governing application of program funding, execution of program activities, and achievement of program outcomes;
Knowledge of the legislative and executive decision making processes;
Ability to identify organizational problems, evaluate possible solutions, and select and implement the most advantageous course of action;
Ability to identify and determine appropriate methods for gathering data;
Ability to make oral presentations to department management, other departments, or the public;
Ability to write detailed, accurate reports, grants, or solicitations for pertinent areas of administration;
Ability to manage professional and paraprofessional employees including coaching, counseling, training, and evaluation;
Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public, special interest groups, government agencies, and elected officials.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in communications, production, film, media, business or public administration, or a related field; plus, five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the managerial, technical and creative facets of television production, of which two must have been in a supervisory capacity.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Auditory acuity is required to monitor audio levels. Duties require the ability to view television/streaming operations and monitor sound quality. Must be able to see, hear, and speak clearly. Must communicate with others and make presentations and speeches to the public. Visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Work is usually sedentary in a normal office environment; however, requires the ability to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items under 20 pounds in weight. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-JY1
Merit Positions
Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:
For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions
Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
02
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.
03
Please indicate your area(s) of study or major(s)/minor(s) towards a degree. Check all that apply.
04
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05
How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible professional experience do you have in the managerial, technical and creative facets of television production?
06
How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you have?
07
What is the largest number of television production staff you have managed?
08
What is the largest budget you had to develop, implement, and manage?
09
In which of the following functions do you have general or direct experience? Check all that apply.
10
If you checked "Third party app, device, or platform-distributed content" for Question 9, please list all third party apps, devices, or platforms used for distribution of content. If you do not have experience with Third party app, device, or platform-distributed content enter "N/A"
11
If you checked "Live dual-captioning" for Question 9, please list all languages you have Live dual-captioned. If you do not have experience with Live dual-captioning enter "N/A"
Required Question
Location : FAIRFAX (EJ32), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 25-00726
Department: Cable & Consumer Services
Opening Date: 03/22/2025
Closing Date: 4/4/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: M03
Posting Type: Open to General Public
Job Announcement
Directs the work of the Communications Productions Division of over 20 merit positions including producers, assistant producers, media technicians (videographers), engineers, graphic artist and administrative staff, along with an additional 16 freelance positions supporting production needs. This position provides key leadership in the county's outreach and engagement efforts with a focus on the county's Strategic Plan Community Outcome Areas and One Fairfax. This position also serves as a member of the department's senior leadership team. The division director establishes operational objectives designed to provide high quality communications service delivery and achieve county and department communication and engagement goals.
Illustrative Duties
(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)
Directs the work of the Communications Productions Division of over 20 merit positions including producers, assistant producers, media technicians (videographers), engineers, graphic artist, and administrative staff, along with an additional 16 freelance positions supporting production needs;
Provides key leadership in the County's outreach and engagement efforts with a focus on the County's Strategic Plan Community Outcome Areas and One Fairfax;
Establishes operational objectives designed to provide high quality communications service delivery and achieve County and department communication and engagement goals;
Manages the daily operations of a multimillion-dollar communications production center and cable television station;
Provides supervision to an interdisciplinary staff of producers, videographers, engineers, graphic artist, and administrative staff working in specialized teams to serve the communications production needs of the County;
Supervises the development of County-wide programming content to meet the informational needs of residents and employees;
Participates in telling the story of Fairfax County through traditional communications and new media technologies;
Ensures that materials and productions align with the Fairfax County brand, mission, values, and goals;
Ensures that organizational initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to internal and external stakeholders;
Increases stakeholder engagement and advances interest in Fairfax County;
Contributes content for Fairfax County social media accounts to build brand awareness;
Oversees the Fairfax County Training Network channel, delivering information and training programming to all County employees;
Coordinates and supervises the technical operations of the County-wide emergency message system for public information;
Develops recommendations for the annual division budget, performance measures, long-range equipment replacement plans, and procurement of equipment and services to meet operational needs;
Conducts studies;
Prepares reports;
Testifies before the Board of Supervisors and legislative and regulatory groups on matters pertaining to government, educational, and public access channels;
Makes recommendations on all proposed changes to cable franchise agreements or other telecommunications proposals;
Represents the County in presentations to community groups, government advisory boards, other jurisdictions, and businesses on communications issues.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)
Knowledge of the principles, methods, and problems of television and communications management;
Extensive knowledge of media practices for determining and developing contracts for actors, scripts, set design, repairs, supplies, and equipment;
Extensive knowledge of franchise obligations related to programming and production;
Extensive knowledge of the mission, goals, objectives, funding sources, organizational structure, workload, and staffing of the organizational unit or program to which the incumbent is assigned;
Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques relating to the functional area of business operation;
Extension knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements governing application of program funding, execution of program activities, and achievement of program outcomes;
Knowledge of the legislative and executive decision making processes;
Ability to identify organizational problems, evaluate possible solutions, and select and implement the most advantageous course of action;
Ability to identify and determine appropriate methods for gathering data;
Ability to make oral presentations to department management, other departments, or the public;
Ability to write detailed, accurate reports, grants, or solicitations for pertinent areas of administration;
Ability to manage professional and paraprofessional employees including coaching, counseling, training, and evaluation;
Ability to maintain effective relationships with the public, special interest groups, government agencies, and elected officials.
Employment Standards
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in communications, production, film, media, business or public administration, or a related field; plus, five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the managerial, technical and creative facets of television production, of which two must have been in a supervisory capacity.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's or master's degree in communications, production, film, media, business or public administration, or a related field.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible professional experience related to television production, communications, film, media, including two or more years of supervisor experience.
- In-depth knowledge of the management and administration of a multi-disciplinary team with a focus on content delivery, customer service, and strategic planning.
- Experience collaborating with local and elected officials and senior management staff.
- Experience managing a television station operating budget
- Highly motivated with the ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative team environment.
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Auditory acuity is required to monitor audio levels. Duties require the ability to view television/streaming operations and monitor sound quality. Must be able to see, hear, and speak clearly. Must communicate with others and make presentations and speeches to the public. Visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. Work is usually sedentary in a normal office environment; however, requires the ability to do some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of items under 20 pounds in weight. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.
SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.
The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.
#LI-JY1
Merit Positions
Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Long Term Disability
- LiveWell Program
- Flexible Spending Programs
- Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
- Paid Holidays
- Contributory Retirement Plan
- Deferred Compensation
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employees' Child Care Center
- Commuter Benefit Program
- Continuous Learning Opportunities
NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:
For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions
- Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
- Flexible Spending Program
- Deferred Compensation
- No benefits
01
What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
- Less than 12th grade
- High school diploma or GED
- Some college
- Associate's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Master's degree
- Doctorate degree
02
If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.
- Less than 45 quarter hours
- 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
- 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
- 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
- 180 or more quarter hours
- Less than 30 semester hours
- 30 to less than 60 semester hours
- 60 to less than 90 semester hours
- 90 to less than 120 semester hours
- 120 or more semester hours
- Not applicable
03
Please indicate your area(s) of study or major(s)/minor(s) towards a degree. Check all that apply.
- Communications
- Production
- Film
- Media
- Business administration
- Public administration
- Other (related field)
- Other (non-related field)
- Not Applicable
04
If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".
05
How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible professional experience do you have in the managerial, technical and creative facets of television production?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five to less than six years
- Six to less than seven years
- Seven to less than eight years
- Eight to less than nine years
- Nine years or more
06
How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you have?
- None
- Less than one year
- One to less than two years
- Two to less than three years
- Three to less than four years
- Four to less than five years
- Five to less than six years
- Six to less than seven years
- Seven to less than eight years
- Eight to less than nine years
- Nine years or more
07
What is the largest number of television production staff you have managed?
- None
- Fewer than 5 staff members
- 5 to fewer than 10 staff members
- 10 to fewer than 15 staff members
- 15 to fewer than 20 staff members
- 20 or more staff members
08
What is the largest budget you had to develop, implement, and manage?
- Operating budget less than $500,000
- Operating budget $500,000 to less than $1,000,000
- Operating budget $1,000,000 to less than $1,500,000
- Operating budget $1,500,000 to less than $2,000,000
- Operating budget $2,000,000 to less than $2,500,000
- Operating buffet over $2,500,000
- None of the above
09
In which of the following functions do you have general or direct experience? Check all that apply.
- Government access channel
- Internal employee channel
- Live streaming
- Emergency messaging
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
- Live dual-captioning
- Third party app, device, or platform-distributed content
- None of the above
10
If you checked "Third party app, device, or platform-distributed content" for Question 9, please list all third party apps, devices, or platforms used for distribution of content. If you do not have experience with Third party app, device, or platform-distributed content enter "N/A"
11
If you checked "Live dual-captioning" for Question 9, please list all languages you have Live dual-captioned. If you do not have experience with Live dual-captioning enter "N/A"
Required Question