Communications Associate Jobs in Covington, GA (NOW HIRING)

Description The purpose of this position is to serve as the county's primary digital communications professional by planning, creating, coordinating, and managing digital content that informs, educates, and engages residents. This position supports county departments through strategic communications, social media management, multimedia production, website content, and public engagement initiatives, while promoting transparency and public trust. Examples of Duties Serves as the primary administrator for official social media platforms by planning, creating, scheduling, publishing, and monitoring digital content.

Develops engaging written, graphic, photographic, and video content to communicate county programs, services, initiatives, and emergency information. Produces short-form videos, reels, graphics, photography, and other multimedia content for use across platforms. Coordinates with county departments to identify communication needs and develop messaging that supports organizational goals.

Responds to public comments, messages, and inquiries received through digital communication channels while coordinating responses with subject matter experts when appropriate. Monitors engagement, identifies emerging trends, recurring community concerns, and misinformation, and recommends communication strategies to address them. Assists in communicating emergency information during incidents, severe weather, public safety events, and other time-sensitive situations.

Provides live digital coverage of Board of Commissioners meetings, public hearings, ribbon cuttings, press conferences, community events, and other official county functions. Assists with writing and distributing newsletters, press releases, website updates, executive communications, and other public information materials. Maintains the county's digital content calendar to ensure timely publication or priority communications and coordinated messaging across departments.

Collaborates with department leadership to develop communication campaigns supporting county initiatives, projects, and strategic priorities. Updates and maintains website content to ensure information is current, accurate, accessible, and user-friendly. Tracks digital communication metrics including audience growth, engagement, reach, website traffic, and campaign performance; prepares reports and recommendations for leadership.

Ensures all digital communications comply with county branding standards, accessibility requirements, open records laws, copyright regulations, and applicable county policies. Maintains awareness of emerging communications technologies, digital trends, and best practices to improve public engagement. Assists with photography, videography, and editing for county publications and digital media.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Education and Experience: Requires Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field; and one (1) year of related experience in marketing, advertising, public relations or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Licenses or Certifications: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver's license.

Special Requirements: None. Knowledge, Skill, Abilities / Supplemental Information Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Knowledge of local government operations, Communications and Marketing related programs, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite and other similar programs.

Skill in the use of computers and software applications related to the essential functions of the job. Skill in effective communication, both verbally and in writing. Ability to meet and deal with employees and the public in an effective and courteous manner.

Ability to get along with others, and work effectively with the public and co-workers. Ability to work flexible hours, including evening meetings. Ability to multi-task and work within deadlines.

Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job. Ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information, such as press releases, newsletters, proclamations, letters, certificates, etc. Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable. Ability to use computers for data entry, word processing, and accounting purposes. Ability to operate a copying machine.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes, the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity. WORK ENVIRONMENT Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.

Henry County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described in this job description. Henry County encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Henry County will comply with all applicable federal regulations and Henry County's insurance requirements governing workplace anti-drug and alcohol programs. Henry County employees shall be subject to the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.