JOB INFORMATION

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; full-benefits

This is a professional position with the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office (FCSAO) responsible for public relations, demonstrative evidence and the law clerk program. This position will develop comprehensive and strategic communications, marketing, public information, and outreach for FCSAO. This position will prepare and project demonstrative evidence needed by attorneys at trials. In addition, this position coordinates the internship and law clerk program to include recruiting, orientating and scheduling staff. This position is responsible for managing the FCSAO website, social media channels, and developing and implementing communications policies and strategies to manage the FCSAO mission, style, and communications content. Direction is given to law clerks and interns; supervision is received by the States Attorney.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan option to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 10 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc
• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Community & Press

• 
  Act as the Spokesperson/Public Information Officer for Frederick County States Attorney’s Office and primary point of contact for FCSAO’s communications
• Manage Internship and Law Clerk Program which includes recruiting, orientating, scheduling and overseeing staff
• Develop and implement strategic communications and public affairs plans to promote the agency and increase awareness and participation in FCSAO programs which include Youthful Offender Program, and Juvenile Diversion Programs, etc.
• Direct and implement a digital communications plan for the FCSAO that supports its mission and public information program; oversee all communications to ensure cohesive and consistent messaging and branding, including but not limited to print materials, website design, social media and promotional materials (i.e. videos, slideshows and pamphlets)
• Develop, draft, and edit Associated Press-style feature stories, news releases, and targeted media pitches to promote FCSAO employees and programs
• Administer, edit, and maintain visual assets including video, photographs, graphics, images, and adaptations of printed designs for digital use
• Research and respond to Public Information Act (PIA) requests
• Compile and manage reports and statistical data
• Oversee and recommend media initiatives to meet the changing technologies, environment, and communication needs of the FCSAO
• Plan, attend and execute all FCSAO special events
• Assist with developing recruitment plans to increase awareness of the FCSAO open positions and recruitment efforts; attend job fairs and colleges to enhance relationships with FCSAO

• Develop and implement integrated FCSAO’s communication strategies and policies, including media relations, advertising, public information, social media, video/graphic services, print design, and production

Technology and Demonstrative Evidence:

• Prepare and set up digital evidence in Court, to include PowerPoint, trial fusion, video and audio tapes; as needed troubleshoot digital equipment in Court testimony
• Create pictography with Google maps; redact and create audio and video files in various formats from different sources for use at trial
• As needed, redact or create audio and video files in various formats from different sources, to include cell phones
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 
  Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or related field
• Minimum 3 years of work experience in public relations, communications to include social media, web design, print communications, or media relations
• Some work experience in digital evidence or media editing
• Intermediate skills in MS Office Suite software to include Microsoft Word and Power Point
• NOTE: Additional related work experience may reduce the education requirement

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of social media trends, practices and procedures
• Knowledge of Maryland Public Information Act and other pertinent informational dissemination laws
• Working knowledge of creating and maintaining forms of social media
• Basic knowledge of the criminal justice system as it applies to the FCSAO
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of journalism and public relations
• Ability to take, edit and produce photos, and video programs and documents for professional publication
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in the English language with ability to effectively prepare and present complex program information
• Ability to provide clear direction, direct groups of individuals in a professional manner
• Ability to use computer software packages and be familiar with graphic design software and video editing equipment and software
• Ability to organize work, establish prioritize and organize work in a timely and efficient manager; ability to manage projects from inception to completion
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing
• Ability to effectively prepare and present clear, concise reports and presentation for varied audiences
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with elected officials and other agency directors, co-workers, and the public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Governmental work experience to include public safety or law enforcement
• Experience in a law office or legal system environment
• Public Information Officer work experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While in this position, the employee is frequently sitting, walking, lifting up to 20 pounds, reaching, making repetitive motions and driving
• While in this position, the employee is constantly indoors

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Ability to provide own transportation as needed for meetings and other commitments
• Available for some varied work hours to accommodate meetings or other commitments
• This position is subject to random drug testing

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

• An evaluation of training and experience
• A pre-interview skills testing
• One or more interviews
• A pre-employment physical examination and drug test
• A background investigation conducted by the State's Attorney's Office

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (10 year vesting) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts:
The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.

Life Insurance:
Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.

Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.

Educational Reimbursement Program:
County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.

Employee Assistance Program:
This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.

Leave
Annual Leave – Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
0 – 2 years 11 days
2 – 10 years 17 days
10 + years 24 days

Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.

Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.

Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.

Holidays:
The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.