Communications & Community Engagement Director

Posting number: 2026-3011

Department: Communications

Division: Communications

Job classification: Communications & Community Engagement Director

Posting type: Open

Categories: Community Development, Communications

Summary

First Review of Applications on Setpember 11, 2026

CLICK HERE for further information about the Unified Government, and the Athens-Clarke County community.

APPLY: Do not send resumes in lieu of a completed application. The online application is available at www.accgov.com/jobs.

We hope you will take time to explore this opportunity to join a highly professional local government organization and a progressive, vibrant community in the heart of sunny Northeast Georgia just 65 miles from Atlanta. Home of the University of Georgia, Athens is nationally recognized for its high quality of life, state-of-the-art educational opportunities, endless outdoor recreation, and cultural amenities such as arts, entertainment, music, and food. If this opportunity is for you, we invite you to apply, or to pass on this information to others who might find this position of interest.

REPORTS TO: Athens-Clarke County Manager or their designee
FLSA STATUS: Exempt - Executive
CLASSIFICATION: Non-Merit – Serves at the discretion of the Athens-Clarke County Manager
PAY GRADE: 130; Anticipated Hiring Range:$102,899 - $131,191
Position Salary Range:$102,899 - $159,481
SAFETY SENSITIVE: No

Purpose of Job
The purpose of this job is to provide strategic leadership for Athens-Clarke County Unified Government’s (ACCGov) communications, community engagement, and public information functions. The Director develops and implements communication and community engagement strategies that promote transparency, strengthen public trust, and improve public understanding of local government services, projects, decisions, and priorities.

Serving as ACCGov's senior advisor on communications and community engagement, the Director partners with the Manager's Office and departments across ACCGov to ensure communication and public engagement are considered early in planning, support informed decision-making, and strengthen transparency and public trust. As the leader of a small department, the Director serves as both a strategic leader and working manager, providing executive guidance while remaining actively engaged in the department's most complex and high-impact work.

Job-Related Requirements
Work Schedule: Normal office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. May be required to work on religious holidays. May be required to work outside normal business hours and attend evening meetings, community events, or other functions as needed.
May be required to work outside normal business hours and attend evening meetings, community events, or other functions as needed.
May be required to work on religious holidays.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
Must work cooperatively with others.
When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness, and operation of the vehicle and must abide by ACCGov's safe driving policy.

Emergency Position
This position is designated as an emergency position that requires attendance at work under all types of emergency conditions. Some examples of emergencies include inclement weather, public safety situations, or other emergencies as determined by the Manager.

Examples of duties

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field with seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public engagement, public information, media relations, public affairs, or a related field required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.

Five years of supervisory experience required.

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience leading communications or community engagement in a local government setting.
Master’s degree in a related field.

Qualifications

The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Department Leadership & Administration
Plans, directs, manages, and evaluates the operations, personnel, budget, programs, and initiatives of the Communications and Community Engagement Department to ensure effective service delivery and alignment with ACCGov's goals and priorities.
Supervises, mentors, develops, and evaluates assigned staff; establishes work priorities; assigns and reviews work; provides coaching, counseling, and corrective action when necessary; conducts employee performance evaluations.
Develops and administers the departmental budget; monitors expenditures; oversees contracts, consultants and other professional services; and ensures the responsible stewardship of departmental resources.
Establishes department policies, procedures, performance expectations, and operational priorities.

Executive Advising
Serves as ACCGov’s senior advisor on communications and community engagement, providing strategic guidance to executive leadership regarding organizational messaging, public engagement, emerging issues, and complex communications challenges.
Establishes the long-term vision and direction of communication and community engagement strategies that support ACCGov’s mission, strategic priorities, and organizational objectives.
Advises the Manager’s Office and departments on communication considerations related to policy initiatives, major projects, organizational change, public meetings, controversial issues, and other significant governmental actions.
Evaluates emerging communication trends, technologies, and best practices and implements improvements that enhance organizational effectiveness and public service.
Establishes departmental goals, performance measures, and service standards and evaluates program effectiveness through analytics, community feedback, and organizational outcomes.
May attend meetings of the Mayor and Commission, advisory boards, interdepartmental committees, community organizations, and other groups to support communication, community engagement, and organizational initiatives.
Represents ACCGov on community organizations, advisory boards, professional associations, committees, and task forces to strengthen partnerships and advance organizational objectives.

Community Engagement & Public Participation
Leads ACCGov’s community engagement program by establishing organizational standards and best practices that promote meaningful and accessible public participation.
Advises departments on communication and community engagement by providing strategic planning support, coaching, training, and communication strategies for major initiatives, capital projects, master plans, and other significant community issues.
Partners with departments early in project planning to identify stakeholders, establish communication objectives, recommend engagement methods, develop communication timelines, and evaluate engagement outcomes.
Develops organizational guidance, standards, toolkits, templates, and training that strengthen communication and community engagement practices across ACCGov.
Evaluates community engagement efforts and recommends improvements that enhance participation, transparency, and public understanding.
Oversees ACCGov 101 and other community engagement programs that educate residents about local government operations, services, and opportunities for civic participation.

Communications & Public Information
Oversees implementation of ACCGov's comprehensive communications strategy across digital communications, social media, website content, publications, multimedia, presentations, executive communications, and other public information channels.
Ensures communications are timely, accurate, transparent, and accessible.
Leads the development of communications regarding government services, projects, decisions, programs, and organizational initiatives to improve resident understanding, provide opportunities for meaningful input, and enhance transparency.
Oversees the operation, governance, and continuous improvement of the ACCGov's website, digital communication platforms, social media presence, and content management practices.
Leads ACCGov's social media program by establishing strategy, editorial direction, and content priorities; overseeing the planning, development, and delivery of digital content; and ensuring social media effectively communicates government services, projects, decisions, and community impacts.
Oversees media relations and serves as the primary communications contact for significant organizational issues, coordinating information with departments and executive leadership to ensure accurate, coordinated, and consistent public information.
Responds to resident inquiries and concerns by providing information, resolving issues when appropriate, and coordinating with departments to facilitate timely and effective responses.
Reviews, edits, and provides quality assurance for significant organizational communications, publications, presentations, reports, and other public information materials to ensure accuracy, consistency, accessibility, and alignment with organizational communication standards.
Provides media relations guidance, spokesperson coaching, presentation coaching, and communication training to department directors, executive leadership, and designated organizational representatives.
Monitors traditional media, digital media, social media, and other communication channels to identify emerging issues, public sentiment, misinformation, and topics affecting ACCGov operations and community interests.
Consults with the County Attorney's Office and other appropriate staff to ensure communications and public information activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including open records and other public information requirements.

Organizational Support
Advises departments on communication planning, messaging, public engagement, branding, and communication best practices.
Oversees organizational communication standards, editorial quality, messaging consistency, branding, and accessibility across departments.
Directs executive communications including speeches, presentations, correspondence, reports, talking points, and other communications prepared for executive leadership.
Directs ACCGov's organizational identity, branding standards, and communication style.
Develops and supports internal communication strategies that improve organizational awareness, employee engagement, leadership communication, and the timely sharing of information with employees during routine operations, organizational initiatives, and emergency situations.
Develops communication strategies that help residents and employees better understand ACCGov services, initiatives, decisions, and community outcomes through clear and accessible communications.

Emergency & Crisis Communications
Leads ACCGov's emergency communications function in coordination with and direction from the Emergency Management Manager, public safety agencies, executive leadership, and departmental representatives.
Creates, maintains, and regularly evaluates emergency communication plans, procedures, training, and communication protocols that strengthen organizational preparedness and response.
Serves as the communications lead within the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during activations and coordinates internal and external communications across departments and partner agencies.
Directs communication strategies before, during, and after emergencies to ensure timely, accurate, coordinated, and actionable public information.
Coordinates organizational messaging to address misinformation and provide clear, consistent communication during emergencies and other rapidly evolving situations.
Conducts after-action evaluations related to emergency communications and implements improvements to strengthen future response efforts.
Performs other related duties as required.
Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesKnowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the ACCGov, as well as federal and state laws and local codes, as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Communications and Community Engagement Director.
Knowledge of the terminology used within the department.
Knowledge of the elements of the graphic design and printing processes including layout techniques.
Ability to communicate effectively by written and oral means with a wide variety of people, organizations and the media in a variety of settings.
Ability to develop and deliver public presentations.
Ability to compile, organize, prepare, and maintain an assortment of records, reports, and information in an effective manner and according to office and/or governmental regulations.
Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.
Ability to handle required mathematical calculations.
Ability to utilize and understand computer applications, equipment, software, and techniques as necessary in the completion of daily assignments.
Ability to plan, organize, and/or prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
Ability to comprehend and apply the regulations and procedures of the department.
Ability to operate office and audio-visual equipment.

Supplemental information

(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, typewriter, copier, fax, camera, tape recorder, and calculator. Must be able to use body members to work, move, or carry objects or materials. This position requires: walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those of light work.

DATA CONCEPTION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving and receiving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants and from supervisors.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires the ability to read a variety of schedules, permits, minutes, news releases, reports and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to prepare reports, news releases, minutes, letters, and other documents using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak to people and groups of people with poise, voice control, and confidence.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation; and to make independent judgments in the absence of management.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages including legal and marketing terminology.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, and to utilize and determine percentages.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with a computer, typewriter, copier, fax, camera, tape recorder, and calculator.

MOTOR COORDINATION: May require the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using a computer, typewriter, copier, fax, camera, tape recorder, and calculator. Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as a computer, typewriter, copier, fax, camera, tape recorder, and calculator. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating the other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DISCRIMINATION: May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (Talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words). (Hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via telephone.

ACCGov is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. ACCGov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Leah Jagatic, HR Coordinator, Human Resources, 762-400-6370 or leah.jagatic@accgov.com.