Position Summary
Position is an executive position that reports directly to the elected county clerk. Position is responsible for
management and administration of all communication and community outreach activities for the Marion
County Clerk’s Office and Marion County Election Board. This position regularly interacts with elected
superior court judges, as well as elected and appointed officials in city and state government. Duties
include, but are not limited to, taking the lead on communications counseling and planning; managing all
media relations and external and internal communications efforts; manage external affairs, responding to
public information request; and providing guidance on policy issues impacting the organization.
Position Responsibilities
Develops a strategic communications plan to support the mission, goals and objectives of the Clerk’s office
and Election Board.
Builds and fosters collaborative relationships with each division within the organization to stay informed and
abreast of new initiatives and changes in the law. Fosters collaborative relationships with executive
management in other city, county, and state offices to enable leadership success.
Advises the elected Clerk and senior staff on current events to effectively respond to issues impacting the
organization.
Participates in the budgetary process.
Serves as the lead spokesperson for the Clerk’s office and Election Board.
Responds to media requests for information.
Coordinates, edits and reviews press releases, fact sheets, editorials, articles, etc.
Plans press conferences/media briefings and oversee material development including press releases, fact
sheets, press packets and other related information and securing additional speakers as warranted.
Builds and fosters long-term working relationships with the media.
Develops and maintains media contact lists, including email groups and fax listings.
Monitors news broadcasts, blogs and newspapers to stay abreast of current affairs.
Manages and maintains press clipping archive.
Manages communications through social media channels.
Drafts talking points and/or speeches for the Clerk and senior staff.
Manages constituent services for both agencies.
Manages and maintains Web sites for Clerk’s office and Election Board.
Develops and produces video content for use on the Web, WCTY Channel 16, internal and external training
programs and other news organizations supporting public service announcements.
Prepares annual budget presentation for the Clerk’s office and Election Board.
Edits and distributes internal newsletter.
Supports organizational initiatives by developing collateral materials for internal and external customers.
Develop office responses to FOIA and public information requests made by members of the public,
government agencies and other organizations.
Provides guidance to staff on observing public access laws and trial rules.
Serves as liaison to the Office of Corporation Counsel in responding to requests received by their office on
Clerk’s office and Election Board matters.
Serves as liaison to outside Counsel on lobbying matters; and pending and active litigation.
Researches and tracks federal, state and local legislation impacting the organization.
Researches and identifies best practices and/or policies to find efficiencies in the organization’s operations.
Provides communication support for the implementation of new programs, policies and/or changes in
organizational structure.
Coordinate with the Office of Corporation Counsel to educate and train city-county enterprise on records
retention best practices.
Serves as proxy for the Clerk in inter-office and working committee meetings, including but not limited to:
- Marion County Election Board meetings;
- Enhanced Access Review Committee;
- Thursday Afternoon Group;
- Marion County Public Records Commission
- Justice Functional Group; and
- Information Technology Advisory Council.
Serves on planning committees as directed by the Clerk.
Conduct outreach on behalf of the office, including but not limited to:
- Travel to high schools and colleges to educate about the voting process in person or virtually;
- Educate civic groups in person or virtually about election related information.
- Required to be on call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week including holidays.
- Provides oversight and guidance to projects of high importance. Provides strategic counsel to key leaders
within the enterprise.
- Provide key advice to vendors and policy leaders.
- Manage interns.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other
duties or responsibilities that the Clerk may deem necessary from time to time.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in policy, public affairs, communication, business, or other related field is required and
two (2) years of related experience is required. J.D. is preferred. Ability to effectively communicate with
judicial officers and the legal community. Ability to handle several tasks under time pressure. Ability to
develop, manage and maintain internal and external relationships. Ability to effectively present information
to elected officials, elected judges, senior leadership, and staff. Ability to respond to inquiries from City,
County, external personnel, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to define
problems, collects data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to use Microsoft® Office
programs, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Ability to confidently speak to local, national, and
international media. Firm understanding of media and communications, as well as good time management
abilities. Firm understanding of the judicial process and ability to interpret judicial opinions. Firm understanding of the legislative process. Strong planning and organization skills, including attention to
details. Must maintain confidentiality of information. Ability to manage all aspects of the job with little
supervisory oversight.
Independent Judgment
Incumbent must exercise independent decision making within a broad framework of policies, government
regulations and best practices. Must rely on experience and judgement to plan and accomplish
assignments, and have the latitude to adapt procedures, processes, and techniques to changing business
needs and government regulations.