This is an advanced, professional-level position leading the communications, marketing, community engagement, and presentation of a positive organizational image to customers, employees, and the community for Sarasota Count Area Transit (SCAT). This position is responsible for working as a Communications team member to strategize, create and implement SCAT communications/community engagement plans that contain multiple forms of marketing/branding deliverables. This position is required to work with and consult various staff members as directed by the immediate supervisor. This position, funded by SCAT, is centrally located in the Communications Department, and reports on a day-to-day basis to the project coordination supervisor and will coordinate with SCAT senior leadership for expected work assignments.

• Serve as the liaison between SCAT and the Communications Department; develops and implements communications/community engagement related plans, projects and deliverables utilizing Communications Department processes and procedures; develops and distributes SCAT collaterals utilizing Communications designed templates and materials.
• Develop, manage, and implement the marketing plan and subsequent work assignments for the branding, promotion, and market analysis of the transit system. In collaboration with Communications, develops and implements the SCAT’s annual communications plans, marketing strategies and budget. Lead branding initiatives, logo, and signage work for the transit system. May also lead other similar complex projects for the transit system. Writes and edits multiple types of products including, but not limited to: plans; internal messages to employees; books/catalogs/guides; banners; brochures, Contact Center FAQs; fact sheets; fliers; invitations/evites; media releases; postcards; posters; print ads; talking points; television promos and website content. Ensure that all materials produced are in accordance with AP and local style guides.
• Serve as the lead for SCAT-related community engagement, utilizing developed plans, implement public outreach strategies and marketing to include event coordination, preparing and presenting at public and civic meetings, events,  and workshops, and networking opportunities with community partners.
• Develop and maintain community partnerships with nonprofit/for-profit organizations to promote transit.
• Facilitate media engagements; maintain ‘media contacts’ and email reports; provide monthly analytics to the Communications Department media relations team.
• Responsible for creating content for the SCAT webpages. Developing content and implementing social media strategies. Assess and implement emerging media types for the engagement and promotion of transit.
• Plans, schedules, monitors, and tracks progress of assigned tasks/projects and provides regular reports to supervisor and SCAT leadership.

Work Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Minimum Qualifications:  A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Relations, Mass Communications, or related field with three (3) years of related experience. – OR– A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in one of the above fields with two (2) or more years of related experience.  Related professional experience may substitute for the required education.  

Preferred Qualifications:  Professional accreditation and/or certification in related career field are preferred. Supervision or management of contracted services is preferred.

Job Competencies:  

• Time management (ability to coordinate numerous projects simultaneously and prioritize and organize workload.)
• Ability to develop and manage the marketing budget as approved by the SCAT Director and the Board of County Commissioners.
• Identify existing and new customer markets for advertising and marketing programs.
• Ability to develop an understanding of transit operations and the business of SCAT
• Ability to work independently and exercise considerable judgment. Ability to shift priorities as necessary and directed.
• Ability to be tactful and respectful with team members and clients.
• Ability to develop strong interdepartmental networks.
• Understanding of traditional and emerging marketing and community engagement practices.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of social media platforms and how each platform is deployed for multiple scenarios.
• Ability to prepare and conduct presentations one-on-one and/or group settings.
• Ability to write and edit with accuracy according to AP style, to multiple audiences and for various multi-media Communications formats.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Familiar with, but not necessarily proficient in Adobe InDesign.
• Proficient with Adobe Acrobat.
• Familiar with, but not necessarily proficient in Adobe Photoshop.
• Proficient in project management software and providing routine analytics.
• Proficient in at least one electronic email/newsletter/survey delivery system.

Physical Demands:  Must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Pay: $49,025.60 - $65,936.00

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! 
• 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 and classes 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!)​​

Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco Free/Drug Free Workplace

Sarasota County Government promotes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identification or expression, genetic information, religion, national origin, marital status, age or disability. 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 941-861-5741.