Job Description:

Salary Commensurate with Experience

Consistent with the mission, vision and values of the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC), The Public Information Specialist will develop and execute communication projects and initiatives for internal and external audiences, including staff, customers, stakeholders, partners, and the general public. As a member of the Legislative and Public Affairs team (LPA), he/she will manage the creation of communications materials through information gathering via collaboration with other divisions and project stakeholders; developing key messages; writing and editing content; and consulting with creative team members on the execution of visual designs. The Public Information Specialist will develop and coordinate the design of a range of marketing and communications materials including, but are not limited to news releases, flyers, website, social media and blog content, newsletters, letters and memos, PowerPoint presentations, speeches, talking points, reports, etc. Similarly, the Public Information Specialist will be required to edit and/or revise content produced by other team members and internal stakeholders, as needed. As part of the publication process, the Specialist will identify internal customer (division) needs and goals for collateral material and communications requests. He/she will proactively ask questions about intended goals of messaging and target audiences to develop meaningful solutions. He/she will assist in the implementation of a comprehensive media relations and communications program that enhances the image and position of HOC. He/she will also collaborate with the LPA team, HOC divisions, and stakeholders to elevate HOC’s work in a coordinated fashion with our larger communications and media strategies. Likewise, he/she will work to build the media profile of HOC leadership as experts and innovators in affordable housing provision and development. The Public Affairs and Communications Specialist works on standard or fundamental duties and receives general supervision and evaluation of work product by the supervisor and/or Division Director to determine if the contents are appropriate and in the best interest of HOC. Guidelines are provided in the form of journalism/public relations practices and procedures, established policies of HOC, and as well as adopted Agency language style.

Preferred Skills:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a BS degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing or related field.
• Requires at least two to five years’ experience in the communications field.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must have the ability to research, analyze and evaluate information quickly and efficiently.
• Must have knowledge of advertising or news media organizations.
• Must have the ability to write and edit materials as needed (e.g., news releases, articles, speeches, etc.).
• Must have knowledge of the publication process.
• Must have capability to coordinate complex writing projects on time and deliver work as error-free as possible.
• Must have experience creating social media content for campaigns using Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other related social media tools and platforms.
• Must have excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with a diverse population.
• Must have experience with Adobe Acrobat and MS Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience working with government entities and/or non-profit organizations preferred.

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted. Low-income residents in Montgomery County with the above qualifications are encouraged to apply.