Department:

Communications

Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here.

The Communications Department is seeking a skilled and motivated Public Information Officer to support the Stormwater Department through strategic communications, media relations, and community engagement efforts. This advanced professional role is responsible for developing and delivering timely, accurate, and effective public information that supports Stormwater operations, County initiatives, and Board and Administrative priorities. The ideal candidate will serve as a trusted communications partner, helping inform and educate the public while building strong relationships with media outlets, community organizations, and stakeholders.

In this role, you will develop communication strategies, respond to media inquiries, create engaging digital and multimedia content, coordinate outreach initiatives, and support public information efforts during time-sensitive or emergency situations. This position requires strong writing and storytelling skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while ensuring consistent and accurate messaging. If you are passionate about public service, strategic communications, and community impact, apply today to join our team.

About the Position

In this role, you will...

• Serve as a primary media and public information contact for the Stormwater Department, responding to media inquiries and coordinating interviews and public messaging.

• Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, speeches, digital content, and other communications materials to inform and engage the public.

• Develop and implement communication strategies and outreach campaigns that support Stormwater programs, County initiatives, and public education efforts.

• Coordinate press conferences, public announcements, community outreach events, and stakeholder engagement activities.

• Manage and contribute to digital communication platforms, including websites, social media, photography, video, and other multimedia content.

• Collaborate with County leadership, staff, and partner agencies to ensure consistent, accurate, and timely messaging.

• Monitor media coverage, public concerns, and communication trends to support proactive messaging and continuous improvement of outreach efforts.

• Build and maintain positive relationships with media representatives, community organizations, civic groups, and stakeholders.

• Ensure all communications materials align with County branding, communication standards, and public information objectives.

• Provide after-hours and on-call support for emergency communications, public information needs, and time-sensitive Stormwater or public safety issues.

About the Schedule

Work Hours:

• Full-time, 40 hours per week.

• Typical Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency.

About You

To be considered for this role, you must have the following:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Relations, or Mass Communications is required with 5+ years of experience.

• OR: Master's degree in one of the above or related fields with 3+ years of related experience.

• OR: 10+ years of related professional experience may substitute for the required education.

• Valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of hire.

The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities:

Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration.

• Experience in public sector communications, media relations, or Public Information Officer (PIO) roles within government, public safety, or large public-facing organizations.

• Experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans, public information campaigns, crisis communications, and community engagement initiatives.

• Strong experience writing and editing press releases, speeches, digital content, and marketing materials in AP style for diverse audiences and multimedia platforms.

• Knowledge of traditional and digital media strategies, media monitoring and analytics, public relations practices, and government communications processes, including public records and Sunshine Law requirements.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment while building collaborative relationships with leadership, stakeholders, and media partners.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of 5 years.

Physical Demands: Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.

About Everything Else

Starting Pay Range: $64,812.80 - $67,620.80, based on experience.

Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s).

If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day:

1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

• If your position requires a Florida Driver’s License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver’s License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List B Documents.)  

2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above – List C Documents.)  

Benefits:

• Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits!
• For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information.
• Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. 
• Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!)​​

A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County – Many Voices, One Team.

We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different.

Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service – internally and externally. 

A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353.

Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance).

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace.