Job Description

Lead the story of Calvert County. As Communications & Media Relations Director, you’ll guide a talented team in shaping public messaging, building trusted media relationships, and advancing communications strategies that connect people to the County’s mission. Whether engaging employees, informing residents, or supporting public initiatives, your work will influence how Calvert County is seen, heard, and experienced every day.

Serves as the County's principal communications officer and official spokesperson. Plans, develops, and directs countywide strategic communications, media relations, public information, digital communications, emergency communications, and community engagement activities. Advises the County Administrator, Deputy County Administrator, Board of County Commissioners and executive leadership regarding communications strategy while ensuring timely, accurate, and effective dissemination of information to the public. This position reports to the County Administrator.

Essential Job Functions

Develops and implements comprehensive communications strategies supporting County initiatives, executive priorities, and organizational objectives.

Serves as the County's official spokesperson and principal media liaison; manages media relations, prepares news releases, conducts press briefings, and represents the County before print, broadcast, and digital media.

Provides strategic communications counsel to the County Administrator, Board of County Commissioners, executive leadership, and department directors regarding public messaging, crisis communications, policy announcements, and issues management.

Plans, coordinates, and directs emergency public information activities and serves as the County's Public Information Officer during emergency operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and coordinated public communications.

Develops and oversees internal communications programs that promote organizational awareness, employee engagement, and consistent messaging across County departments.

Directs the County's digital communications program, including website content, social media, video production, broadcast services, public information campaigns, and emerging communication technologies.

Plans and implements community outreach and public engagement initiatives designed to improve transparency, public understanding, and citizen participation in County programs and services.

Coordinates communications across County departments to ensure consistent messaging, branding, and compliance with established communications policies and executive direction.

Develops communications plans for major County initiatives, capital projects, special events, and public policy initiatives while evaluating the effectiveness of communications strategies and recommending improvements.

Advises leadership during politically sensitive or high-profile issues by assessing communications risks, developing messaging strategies, and coordinating responses with executive management and legal counsel when appropriate.

Develops and administers the communications program budget, manages contracts for communications-related services, and oversees procurement associated with public information operations.

Supervises communications personnel, including assigning work, establishing priorities, conducting performance evaluations, developing staff, recommending personnel actions, and ensuring compliance with County policies and procedures.

Prepares reports, presentations, speeches, and briefing materials for executive leadership, public meetings, media events, and community organizations.

Maintains effective working relationships with elected officials, government agencies, community organizations, media representatives, and the public to foster trust, transparency, and collaborative partnerships.

Other Duties

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (These are pre-employment KSA that apply only to Essential Job Functions.)

Knowledge of --

• Extensive knowledge of strategic communications, public relations, journalism, media relations, crisis communications, and governmental communications practices.

Ability to --

• Communicate effectively with elected officials, executive leadership, media representatives, and the public.

• Develop communications strategies, supervise professional staff, manage multiple high-profile projects simultaneously, and exercise sound judgment in politically sensitive situations.

Required Qualifications (Note: Any acceptable combination of education, training and relevant experience that provides the above knowledge, abilities and skills may be substituted on a full-time year for year basis.)

Training and/or Education:

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a closely related field.

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible professional communications, public information, or media relations experience, preferably within local government.

Licenses or Certificates:

Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements:

Operation of a county owned vehicle.

Subject to background investigation.

Physical Demands:

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with frequent computer use, attendance at meetings and public events, prolonged standing during events, and occasional lifting of audiovisual equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.

Unusual Demands:

Work is subject to frequent interruptions, inflexible deadlines, emergency call-back, evening and weekend meetings or events, crisis communications, and high-profile public information activities requiring immediate response.

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Compensation Steps:

Department of Communications and Media Relations

Salary: $135,000 - $160,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Full-time, contract position; 35-hour work week.

Comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 15 days of sick leave, 10 days of annual leave, and 5 personal days.

• 13 paid holidays ( 14 in an election year).

• Defined Contribution Retirement Plan & 457(b) Deferred Compensation.

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Flexible Spending Accounts.

• Up to 80% tuition reimbursement for continuing education.

• Gym membership discounts.

• Hybrid work arrangements may be available, depending on organizational needs.

Closing Date: September 11, 2026

Please Note: This position will close at 11:59 p.m. on September 11, 2026. To be considered for the role, ensure that your application is submitted before the deadline. The position will be removed from the website as of 12:00 a.m. on September 12th.

This is a contractual (non-merit) position. The employee will be required to sign an agreement outlining the terms and conditions of employment. Contractual positions are reviewed annually by the Board of County Commissioners to determine continued employment with the Calvert County Government.

Please Note: A complete application is required to be considered for a position within Calvert County Government. All prior work experience, education, and other certifications should be entered into the application and supplemental questions should be answered completely. Attachments are not provided to hiring managers unless you are selected for an interview.

Calvert County Government is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at recruitment@calvertcountymd.gov with as much notice as possible.