Salary: $62,572.00 - $84,472.00 Annually Location : Chesterfield, VA Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 25-00399 Department: Communications and Media Opening Date: 11/04/2024 Closing Date: 11/17/2024 11:59 PM Eastern Minimum Qualifications PLEASE NOTE: Applicants are required to submit a cover letter, rsum and three writing samples, preferably including one speech, with their online applications. The required materials must be attached to the application prior to submitting. About Us The Chesterfield County Department of Constituent and Media Services operates as a comprehensive agency providing communications and other support to county leaders and more than 40 county departments. We disseminate information to more than 370,000 residents, as well as businesses and visitors, and play a key role in projecting Chesterfield's well-earned reputation as a leader in local government. Using a comprehensive set of communications tools and platforms, combined with a diverse mix of staff talent, we work cooperatively with internal and external partners to tell Chesterfield's story and ensure accessibility in a variety of formats including social media, podcasts, blogs, direct marketing, media relations and the county's website. Constituent and Media Services is an integral part in how Chesterfield connects and engages with residents. Job Position Overview The award-winning Constituent and Media Services Department's Communications and Media Division is looking for a Creative Content Writer. The successful candidate will be an excellent writer and someone who is both experienced and creative, with the ability to handle multiple projects and assignments as part of a fast-paced team with varying deadlines. As a member of our digital and media relations team, the creative content writer demonstrates a passion for learning about a variety of topics, pays close attention to detail, thrives in the writing process, excels at meeting deadlines, conducts thorough research and fact checks, applies AP Style, and produces written materials that are accurate and technically and grammatically correct. The writer will be tasked with a variety of deliverables, including but not limited to news releases, media advisories, talking points/speeches, feature stories/blogs, articles for external publication, newsletters, copy for advertisements/brochures, online content for web pages and social media, award entries, presentations, and internal communications copy. The writer generates compelling copy, working both independently and collaboratively as part of a five-member content team. They balance multiple writing assignments at the same time, each with varying deadlines and degrees of involvement with others. They may write about the same topic numerous times while adapting the messaging to the medium and the strategy. This process includes routine government materials that you will produce regularly. Yet this is a creative content writing position, which means there will be countless opportunities to use writing skills to transform "government speak" into storytelling. In addition, the writer assists with preparing communications campaigns, writes video scripts, produces podcasts, and makes occasional on-camera appearances. We learn and adapt in real time as we seek to provide comprehensive communications services to our customers. This position is hard work, but you will be able to help our team continue to chart the course for how local government can and should communicate and connect with residents. This is a full-time position that works alongside another creative content writer, together handling the majority of writing assignments for the division. While you will have standard work hours, there will be meetings, events or other functions that require attendance outside of traditional business hours. Inclement weather and other emergencies may also require that the creative content writer work outside of regular hours to put out critical public information. The work is challenging but rewarding. It's about working collaboratively and independently. The successful candidate will be joining a team whose members recognize, value, and demonstrate the power of strong relationships and collective talent while serving an outstanding community. If you do not like to write, this is not the position for you. Education and Experience A bachelor's degree in journalism, English, mass communications, marketing or related field; three years of experience writing speeches, remarks, articles and a wide variety of other written copy for an organization; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. To join our collaborative team, you are also required to: Have excellent writing skills Have the ability to write in a conversational tone and adapt content to the audience and the event Have excellent knowledge of grammar and AP Style Have experience with Microsoft Office Suite Have knowledge of various social media platforms Have excellent customer-service skills Be able to meet deadlines while juggling multiple assignments Be able to turn written copy around quickly and be flexible with frequently changing timetables and short deadlines Be able to write on the same topic multiple times, adapting to the medium and audience Be able to take initiative and prioritize projects Be able to conduct research and fact check without having to be directed Be committed to producing accurate written materials Be able to work independently and collaboratively with clients and the Communications and Media team to develop clear and concise messaging consistent with the county's brand Be self-motivated Current, valid driver's license and good driving record required. Based on the Virginia DMV point system, record must not reflect a total of six or more demerit points within the twenty-four months preceding the anticipated hire date, or one major violation of six demerit points within the preceding thirty-six months. Out of state driving records must be obtained by applicant and presented at time of interview. Records must reflect at least three years of history and be dated within thirty days of interview date. Pre-employment drug testing, FBI criminal background check and education/degree verification required. Other Experience Preferred: Experience writing a blog Experience working on a podcast Experience creating a newsletter Experience in government We'd Love to Talk to You To apply, submit a Chesterfield County online application. NOTE: It is required to submit a cover letter, rsum and three writing samples, preferably including one speech, with your online application. Attach the required materials to the application prior to submitting. Shift Monday
- Friday; 8:30 a.m.
- 5:00 p.m. Work Location Constituent and Media Services
- Communications and Media Chesterfield County is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion For information on county benefits, view
