Director Community Engagement Jobs in Decatur, GA

Job Summary

Rockdale County is seeking an experienced, innovative, and strategic Public Relations Director to lead the County’s communications, marketing, media relations, and community engagement efforts. Reporting to the Chair, the Director will develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies that promote transparency, strengthen public trust, and effectively communicate the County’s priorities, services, and initiatives.

The Public Relations Director will serve as a trusted communications advisor to the Chair, Board of Commissioners, and County leadership, providing strategic direction on public messaging, media relations, crisis communications, community engagement, and public education. The position will work collaboratively with County departments and community stakeholders to ensure that communications are timely, accurate, consistent, and responsive to residents' needs.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and forward-thinking leader who anticipates communication needs, identifies opportunities to increase public awareness and participation, and develops innovative outreach strategies. This individual will lead communication efforts surrounding County initiatives, organizational changes, public education campaigns, and issues affecting the community.

The ideal candidate will possess exceptional judgment, political awareness, strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to navigate complex communication challenges. This individual will be capable of developing long-range communication and marketing strategies, leading crisis response efforts, building consensus among diverse stakeholders, and motivating a communications team to deliver high-quality public service while balancing immediate needs with the long-term vision and priorities of the Board of Commissioners.

Essential Functions

These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

Develop and implement a comprehensive public relations and community engagement strategy.

Design, launch, and manage a Citizens Academy (4-week sessions, held twice annually) to educate residents on county operations and services.

Organize and promote town halls, forums, and community events to encourage public participation and feedback.

Build and maintain strong relationships with residents, community leaders, and local organizations.

Draft and distribute press releases, newsletters, speeches, and official statements.

Serve as the county's spokesperson and manage media relations.

Oversee digital communications, including website content, email campaigns, and social media platforms.

Ensure consistent branding and messaging across all county departments.

Work closely with the Chair & CEO to align messaging with county priorities and initiatives.

Coordinate with department heads to support internal and external communication needs.

Lead crisis communication planning and response to ensure timely and accurate public information.

Supervise communication staff or contractors as needed.

Develop public education campaigns on key county services and initiatives.

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies using analytics and community feedback.

Recommend improvements based on data and emerging best practices.

Serve as the County's strategic communications leader by developing long-range communication and marketing plans that align with the Board of Commissioners' vision and organizational priorities.

Advise County leadership on communication strategies, public messaging, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and issues that may impact public perception.

Develop proactive communication strategies that educate residents about County services, initiatives, capital projects, and community impacts.

Monitor emerging issues, public sentiment, and communication trends, providing recommendations to County leadership on opportunities and potential risks.

Lead organizational communication efforts related to major County initiatives, policy changes, and organizational transformation.

Foster collaboration across departments to ensure communication strategies are coordinated, consistent, and aligned with County goals.

Additional Duties:

The employee in this classification may be expected to perform any related duties as required by the proper authority.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook); familiarity with design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and content management systems is a plus.

Strong understanding of media relations, crisis communication, and digital engagement strategies.

Demonstrated experience in developing and executing public education or civic engagement programs.

Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences.

Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Proven leadership and team collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with elected officials.

Experience using social media platforms and analytics tools to drive engagement and measure impact.

Ability to maintain professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment in high-pressure or sensitive situations.

A dynamic, approachable, and engaging personality with a passion for public service and community building.

Knowledge of local government structure, operations, and public policy is highly desirable.

Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed for community events and meetings.

Demonstrated ability to develop and execute long-term strategic communications and marketing plans that support organizational goals.

Strong understanding of local government operations, governmental decision-making, and public-sector communications.

Exceptional political acumen and ability to communicate effectively with elected officials, executive leadership, community organizations, and the media.

Demonstrated ability to lead through influence, motivate teams, and successfully implement organizational change.

Ability to anticipate communication challenges, identify opportunities, and proactively develop solutions.

Strong strategic planning, project management, and organizational leadership skills.

Work takes place in an office environment with occasional field visits.

1. Bachelor’s degree in public relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, or a related field.
2. Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience leading public relations, communications, marketing, or community engagement initiatives, including demonstrated experience developing strategic communication plans, managing media relations, leading crisis communications, and advising organizational leadership. Experience within county or municipal government or another public-sector organization is strongly preferred.
3. OR a combination of education and experience equivalent to numbers #1 and #2 above.
4. Valid State of Georgia Driver’s License

1. Master’s degree in public relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, or a related field.