ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER - Criminal District Attorney

Summary

Perform professional level duties on a day-to-day basis to assist in the implementation of the communication goals and operations of the Criminal District Attorney's Office. Assist with the coordination of the Criminal District Attorney's Office communications, public information, media relations, and services including managing resources to timely provide media and citizens with information regarding the criminal justice process in Tarrant County. Assist with the coordination of public information to the County and general public and provide support to and advise the Criminal District Attorney and staff in the areas of news releases, public information, marketing, and media relations.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Attends trials and prepares news releases.
• Assists with field inquiries from the media, public and professional community in coordination with the Communications Officer.
• Acts as a spokesperson for the Criminal District Attorney when requested.
• Assists with all aspects of media relations.
• Promotes the department in the community.
• Drafts and develops news releases, editorials, brochures, workbooks, informational publications, reports, bulletins, PowerPoint and video productions, and website communication for the Criminal District Attorney's Office.
• Organizes and performs special research and other projects.
• Writes scripts and speeches.
• Provides public information regarding the criminal justice system and facilitates media requests for information, interviews, and the status of pending criminal cases.
• Arranges news conferences and interviews as needed and strategically arranges media meetings to provide ongoing communication between the Criminal District Attorney's Office and the media.
• Gathers information and data and performs professional level analysis.
• Acts as a resource for staff, constituents, and public regarding criminal justice issues.
• Develops, designs, and produces print and video materials and publications with effective follow-through and commitment to excellence
• Maintains knowledge of skills, processes, and best practices in the area of responsibility.
• May assist or train lower level staff or interns.
• May direct work of clerical and support staff.
• Performs all other related duties involved in the operations of the Criminal District Attorney's Office as assigned or required.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and one (1) year of related experience.
• Must have highly-developed communication skills and techniques and verbal and written accuracy following Associated Press Stylebook guidelines.
• Must be proficient with computer graphics software, photography and video. Spreadsheet and/or word processing software experience or specialized software applications required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to articulate information and speak to groups of people are required.
• Assistant Communications Officer is responsible for working in a cooperative manner with lawyers, media representatives, support staff, city and county officials, and investigators.
• Assistant Communications Officer must be able to organize and effectively present ideas, concepts and recommendations orally, graphically, and in writing.
  
  

CJIS Requirements

The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office is a law enforcement agency. A thorough background, criminal history, and financial check is conducted on all applicants seeking employment. Should any findings not meet the standards for employment, the application will no longer be considered for this position.

The Texas CJIS System Access Policy restricts access to criminal history record information. The ability to access CJIS information is a requirement of this position.

Physical Demands And Work Environment & Other Requirements

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, lift, push and pull.

Tarrant County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical, dental, and vision coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life and long- term disability insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements. The County also provides retirement benefits. Full time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these "basic employee benefits" and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 13 paid holidays, a Wellness Program, and more.

• Note: These benefits are for Tarrant County employees only. For benefit information regarding Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees, please contact Patrice Smith at (817) 884-1227.
  
  

01

Which of the following describes your combination of completed degree and minimum years of experience? (Note: Failure to provide complete information in the education section — including the type of degree, field of study, and graduation status — may result in disqualification.)

• Bachelor's degree or higher AND one (1) full-time year of related work experience.
• Associate's degree AND three (3) full-time year of related work experience.
• High School or GED AND five (5) full-time year of related work experience.
• None of the above
  
  

02

Please describe your experience using computer graphics software, photography, and video production tools. Include the name of the program, your level of proficiency and an example of tasks you have performed with them.

03

Please describe your experience using spreadsheet and word processing software. Include the name of the program, your level of proficiency and an example of tasks you have performed with them.

04

The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office is a law enforcement agency. A thorough background, criminal history, and financial check is conducted on all applicants seeking employment. Should any findings not meet the standards for employment, the application will no longer be considered for this position. The Texas CJIS System Access Policy restricts access to criminal history record information. The ability to access CJIS information is a requirement of this position. ********************************************************************************************************************** 1) CJIS - Have you been convicted of a felony?

• Yes
• No
  
  

05

• CJIS - Have you been placed on deferred adjudication for a felony?
• Yes
• No
  
  

06

• CJIS - Have you been convicted of a Class "A" misdemeanor?
• Yes
• No
  
  

07

• CJIS - Have you been placed on deferred adjudication for a Class "A" misdemeanor?
• Yes
• No
  
  

08

• CJIS - Have you been convicted of a Class "B" misdemeanor? Please indicate yes or no. And, if so, what was the date of conviction?
• Yes
• No
  
  

09

• CJIS - Have you been placed on deferred adjudication for a Class "B" misdemeanor? Please indicate yes or no. And, if so, what are the beginning and ending dates of the deferred adjudication?
• Yes
• No
  
  

10

• CJIS - Do you have any open arrest(s) for any criminal offense (felony or misdemeanor)?
• Yes
• No
  
  

11

• CJIS - Have you been convicted of family violence or had a finding of family violence in a criminal case?
• Yes
• No
  
  

12

• CJIS - Have you been placed on deferred adjudication for a criminal offense where jail time could have been assessed? If so, what are the beginning and ending dates of the deferred adjudication?
• Yes
• No
  
  

13

• CJIS - Have you been convicted of a criminal offense where jail time could have been assessed? Please indicate yes or no. And, if so, what was the date of conviction?
• Yes
• No
• Required Question