What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Director position at Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services?
Position Information
The purpose of this classification is to plan, direct and oversee staff and operations of the County's communications, media relations, customer service and event planning functions.
The Communications Director serves as a key advisor to County leadership and elected officials, driving long- and short-term communication strategies that elevate the County’s image, strengthen public trust, and ensure transparency. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at building relationships, and is confident serving as the public face of the County during routine operations and time-critical situations.
Cobb County Is Home Of
Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work activities for public relations, website, social media, cable television channel, community events, town halls, and public meetings, ecommerce, and customer service: prioritizes work activities to meet objectives; ensures subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex and problem situations and provide technical expertise; and provides progress and activity reports to County administrators and elected officials.
Develops and implements long- and short-term plans, goals, and objectives for department: researches, assesses, and develops strategies to meet current and future issues and concerns regarding County communications; implements and monitors social media analytics and dashboards to help formulate a digital engagement strategy; and implements needed changes, modifications and/or enhancements.
Develops, implements, and updates policies and procedures for department: formulates and develops work methods and practices, policies, standard operating procedures, and training programs; monitors implementation of rules and regulations; and updates policies and procedures as required.
Develops and implements department budget: monitors expenditures and revenues to ensure compliance with approved budget; coordinates with division staff members regarding division budgets; and maintains related documentation.
Serves as spokesperson for the County: responds to media inquiries and questions, including after-hours and weekend media requests; provides print and broadcast interviews as needed; manages essential and time-critical communications activities; formulates and implements a crisis communications plan, develops a long-term "Joint Information Center (JIC)" framework for long-term events, works with other Communications Specialists in the count on media/public relations and emergency communications protocols; and serves as media manager for events within the County and for emergencies as needed.
Directs the development of all marketing initiatives, public relations activities, and other external communications: designs, writes, and coordinates all branding and promotional materials and activities; works closely with Information Technology Services on providing website content, supervision of departmental pages, and formulating policy and procedures for webpage content and updating; provides audio visual design and oversight for all major County campaigns and image pieces; approves press and media kits; enforces logo use policy; develops web content and concepts for new communications tools; and oversees the writing and distribution of news releases, advisories, articles, social media posts, and other communications materials.
Provides general oversight and professional advice regarding all projects with County image and public relations impact: receives and processes sensitive, complex and confidential material and information; coordinates with the County Attorney on Open Records requests involving the media or high-profile matters; apprises County administrators and elected officials of issues, problems, and opportunities relating to public relations; advises and counsels County officials and employees regarding media relations and interviews; and ensures compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
Consults and communicates with County administrators and elected officials, County employees, media, outside agencies, the public, and other individuals to review operations and activities, review and resolve problems, receive and give advice and direction, and provide recommendations: attends and/or facilitates meetings; and provides information, reports, documentation, etc. as requested.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field required; supplemented by three years of experience in marketing, public relations, or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Master's degree preferred.
Licenses and Certifications
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Physical Abilities
Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.
Sensory Requirements
Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, taste, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors
Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
EEO Statement
Cobb County Government is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.
The purpose of this classification is to plan, direct and oversee staff and operations of the County's communications, media relations, customer service and event planning functions.
The Communications Director serves as a key advisor to County leadership and elected officials, driving long- and short-term communication strategies that elevate the County’s image, strengthen public trust, and ensure transparency. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at building relationships, and is confident serving as the public face of the County during routine operations and time-critical situations.
Cobb County Is Home Of
- The 2021 World Champion Atlanta Braves and the 2025 MLB All Star Game
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground, one of the most prestigious soccer facilities in North America housing Atlanta United’s First Team, Academy, and front office staff
- One of the largest amusement parks in the country, Six Flags Over Georgia
- Second largest University system in Georgia, Kennesaw State University
- Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
- Dobbins Air Reserve Base
- Cobb County Public Schools, one of the best school systems in the state of Georgia
- Several Fortune 500 companies
Manages, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.
Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work activities for public relations, website, social media, cable television channel, community events, town halls, and public meetings, ecommerce, and customer service: prioritizes work activities to meet objectives; ensures subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex and problem situations and provide technical expertise; and provides progress and activity reports to County administrators and elected officials.
Develops and implements long- and short-term plans, goals, and objectives for department: researches, assesses, and develops strategies to meet current and future issues and concerns regarding County communications; implements and monitors social media analytics and dashboards to help formulate a digital engagement strategy; and implements needed changes, modifications and/or enhancements.
Develops, implements, and updates policies and procedures for department: formulates and develops work methods and practices, policies, standard operating procedures, and training programs; monitors implementation of rules and regulations; and updates policies and procedures as required.
Develops and implements department budget: monitors expenditures and revenues to ensure compliance with approved budget; coordinates with division staff members regarding division budgets; and maintains related documentation.
Serves as spokesperson for the County: responds to media inquiries and questions, including after-hours and weekend media requests; provides print and broadcast interviews as needed; manages essential and time-critical communications activities; formulates and implements a crisis communications plan, develops a long-term "Joint Information Center (JIC)" framework for long-term events, works with other Communications Specialists in the count on media/public relations and emergency communications protocols; and serves as media manager for events within the County and for emergencies as needed.
Directs the development of all marketing initiatives, public relations activities, and other external communications: designs, writes, and coordinates all branding and promotional materials and activities; works closely with Information Technology Services on providing website content, supervision of departmental pages, and formulating policy and procedures for webpage content and updating; provides audio visual design and oversight for all major County campaigns and image pieces; approves press and media kits; enforces logo use policy; develops web content and concepts for new communications tools; and oversees the writing and distribution of news releases, advisories, articles, social media posts, and other communications materials.
Provides general oversight and professional advice regarding all projects with County image and public relations impact: receives and processes sensitive, complex and confidential material and information; coordinates with the County Attorney on Open Records requests involving the media or high-profile matters; apprises County administrators and elected officials of issues, problems, and opportunities relating to public relations; advises and counsels County officials and employees regarding media relations and interviews; and ensures compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
Consults and communicates with County administrators and elected officials, County employees, media, outside agencies, the public, and other individuals to review operations and activities, review and resolve problems, receive and give advice and direction, and provide recommendations: attends and/or facilitates meetings; and provides information, reports, documentation, etc. as requested.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field required; supplemented by three years of experience in marketing, public relations, or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Master's degree preferred.
Licenses and Certifications
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Physical Abilities
Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or work station.
Sensory Requirements
Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, taste, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.
Environmental Factors
Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
EEO Statement
Cobb County Government is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.
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