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:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(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.
CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Not applicable.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.
This position is considered essential personnel and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
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.