Senior Departmental Communication Specialist

Salary : $92,376.00 - $133,008.00 Annually
Location : Boulder County, CO
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 6338(CS4)
Department: Assessors Office
Opening Date: 04/11/2025
Closing Date: 4/21/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt

Description
The Boulder County Assessor's Office is seeking to hire a Senior Departmental Communications Specialist. This position will shape and manage the Assessor's Office communication strategy, ensuring that information is consistent, clear, effective, accurate, accessible, equitable and resonate with diverse audiences. They will oversee external and internal web content creation, manage media relations, public presentations, community engagement and manage and develop external and internal communication. Their work will align messaging with county priorities, manage crisis communications, and foster strong relationships with local, regional, national and international media as needed. They will also maintain a role in the network of local government communications professionals. Finally, the incumbent will perform these responsibilities with minimal supervision or direction and is responsible for performing the role as a highly skilled individual contributor that will supervise other staff.

This is a full-time, benefited position with Boulder County. The Work hours are Monday-Thursday from 7am-5:30pm. This position will work a hybrid schedule the office location is 1325 Pearl Street at the Main Courthouse Building in Boulder, CO. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) this position is exempt.
Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.
Hiring Salary Range: $92,376.00 - $112,692.00 Annually
Tentative Hiring Timeline:

• Phone Screening: May 5th

• First Round Interviews: May 12th

• Second Round Interviews: May 19th

• Reference Check: May 19th

New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month. Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions.
Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information.
Examples of Duties

Acts as communications lead and advises Assessor and other senior leadership on overarching communication strategy.

Working with Boulder County Communication Managers prepares press releases and responds to inquiries on behalf of the Assessor's Office.

Oversees Assessor's Office compliance of web accessibility standards, ensuring compliance with Colorado State laws and Web Content Standards.

Develops/designs/publishes communications materials for the Assessor's Office ensuring they meet ADA Digital Accessibility standards and ensure use of Plain Language.

Represents the department and functions as a liaison and communication link when responding to or creating information for the public, community groups, agencies, internal staff groups and representatives of other governmental institutions.

Helps plan, facilitate and/or coordinate meetings, projects, trainings or outreach efforts with the public, relevant workgroups and committees, community partners, or staff including county leadership (potentially County Commissioners, Elected Officials, Department or Division leaders)

Researches, compiles, analyzes, and monitors information on policies, programs/services, legislation, ordinances and media coverage and their impact on various aspects of the Assessor's Office.

Develops and/or implements communications plans reflecting and supportive of county goals and key messaging which complies with the County communications style guide.

Approves or develops content for departmental external website and intranet websites and social media channels and ensures maintenance of webpages in accordance with county guidelines, style guide and industry best practices.

Will supervise, coach and evaluate other employees and recommend personnel actions in the areas of hiring, discipline and termination.

May provide marketing and outreach support (including graphic design) for departmental programs and partner organizations

Participates in cross-departmental communications work planning and implementation efforts.

May be reassigned in case of emergency situation or disaster. Responsible for ESF15 or recovery-related coverage as assigned.

Performs related duties, as required.

Required Qualifications
PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of 6 years of combined education and experience.
BACKGROUND CHECK:

• A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of State of Colorado Accessibility laws, ADA Accessibility Standards and Plain Language usage
• Working knowledge of the principles of public relations, crisis communications, organizational communication, and persuasive communication
• Ability to develop effective communications tools (graphics, video, social media posts, surveys, reports, program advertising/marketing materials, training materials) utilizing varied media tools to either inform/notify, engage, train or solicit participation from, by or among internal and external groups.
• Knowledge content design of web pages and internet related technologies and graphic software applications
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with other employees, the public, and representatives of various governmental institutions; skilled in effective teaming and culturally appropriate interactions whether in-person or virtual (internal and external).

Boulder County is a workplace dedicated to supporting individuals and families of all types and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
As well as offering competitive pay and a caring work environment, Boulder County offers employees an array of benefits. For all FTE and Term employees, we provide:

• Outstanding options of comprehensive health plans that include vision and dental coverage. Information can be found
• Additional Benefits can be found
  • Including:
    • Family-forming benefits- infertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy reimbursements
    • 12 weeks Paid Caregiver leave
    • Breast feeding friendly-work environment
    • Sick child care, an infants-at-work policy
    • Access to LifeMart discount hub, including discounts on childcare centers, event tickets, travel and more!
    • Access to a nationally-recognized wellness program
    • Employee Assistance Program
    • PERA 401k
    • Social Security retirement plans
    • Additional Life and Disability Insurance
    • Critical Illness and Accidental Insurance
    • County-paid tuition assistance
    • Eligible for PSLF-
    • Free EcoPass
    • Hospital Indemnity
    • ID Theft Protection
    • Pet Insurance
    • 8 Hours of Paid Public Service Leave
• Generous paid time off
  • Holidays
    • New Year's Day January 1
    • Martin Luther King's Birthday January
    • Presidents' Day February
    • Memorial Day May
    • Juneteenth June 19
    • Independence Day July 4
    • Labor Day September
    • Indigenous People's Day
    • General Election Day November (first Tuesday after the first Monday, even years)
    • Veterans' Day November 11
    • Thanksgiving Day November
    • Friday after Thanksgiving*
    • Christmas Eve- day (full day off depends on day of the week)
    • Christmas Day December 25
    • New Year's Eve- day (full day off depends on day of the week)
  • Vacation**
    • 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire
    • Eight hours of vacation per month for the first year of continuous service, then accrue twelve hours of vacation per month after the first year of continuous service.
  • Medical**
    • Eight hours of medical leave for each month employed.
• PERA- The County and all employees pay into both Social Security and PERA
  • Employer contribution to Social Security: 7.65% of salary
  • Employer contribution to PERA (Local Government Division- most county employees: 14.76%

*The District Attorney's Office observe Francis Xavier Cabrini Day on the first Monday in October and omit the Friday after Thanksgiving
**Vacation and Medical leave are based off of full time FTE accruals. Part-time FTE/term employees accrue leave based on the percentage of time they work.
01

Please describe how you meet the minimum requirement of six (6) years of combined education and professional experience and one (1) year in a supervisory role.
02

Please tell us about your expertise in public relations, press and media relations, organizational communication and/or public engagement and any of this work you've done for a government office or Department.
03

Please describe any experience working with the office of an elected official or similar position. How did you inform yourself of the responsibility of the office, and how have you continued to grow in your knowledge and follow new trends?
04

Please share all tools, software, applications, social media platforms you have used in a professional capacity and your level of expertise.
05

What kinds of experiences have you had working with others with different backgrounds than your own?
06

What efforts have you made, or been involved with, to foster diversity concordance and cultural understanding?
Required Question