ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER - Criminal District Attorney

About the Department

Perform professional level duties on a day-to-day basis to assist in the implementation of the communication goals and operations of the Criminal District Attorney's Office.  Assist with the coordination of the Criminal District Attorney's Office communications, public information, media relations, and services including managing resources to timely provide media and citizens with information regarding the criminal justice process in Tarrant County.  Assist with the coordination of public information to the County and general public and provide support to and advise the Criminal District Attorney and staff in the areas of news releases, public information, marketing, and media relations.

Position Duties

1. Attends trials and prepares news releases.
2. Assists with field inquiries from the media, public and professional community in coordination with the Communications Officer.
3. Acts as a spokesperson for the Criminal District Attorney when requested.
4. Assists with all aspects of media relations.
5. Promotes the department in the community.
6. Drafts and develops news releases, editorials, brochures, workbooks, informational publications, reports, bulletins, PowerPoint and video productions, and website communication for the Criminal District Attorney's Office.
7. Organizes and performs special research and other projects.
8. Writes scripts and speeches.
9. Provides public information regarding the criminal justice system and facilitates media requests for information, interviews, and the status of pending criminal cases.
10. Arranges news conferences and interviews as needed and strategically arranges media meetings to provide ongoing communication between the Criminal District Attorney's Office and the media.
11. Gathers information and data and performs professional level analysis.
12. Acts as a resource for staff, constituents, and public regarding criminal justice issues.
13. Develops, designs, and produces print and video materials and publications with effective follow-through and commitment to excellence
14. Maintains knowledge of skills, processes, and best practices in the area of responsibility.
15. May assist or train lower level staff or interns.
16. May direct work of clerical and support staff.
17. Performs all other related duties involved in the operations of the Criminal District Attorney's Office as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and one (1) year of related experience.  
• Must have highly-developed communication skills and techniques and verbal and written accuracy following Associated Press Stylebook guidelines.
• Must be proficient with computer graphics software, photography and video. Spreadsheet and/or word processing software experience or specialized software applications required.  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to articulate information and speak to groups of people are required.  
• Assistant Communications Officer is responsible for working in a cooperative manner with lawyers, media representatives, support staff, city and county officials, and investigators.  
• Assistant Communications Officer must be able to organize and effectively present ideas, concepts and recommendations orally, graphically, and in writing.

CJIS Requirements:
The Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office is a law enforcement agency.  A thorough background, criminal history, and financial check is conducted on all applicants seeking employment.  Should any findings not meet the standards for employment, the application will no longer be considered for this position.  

The Texas CJIS System Access Policy restricts access to criminal history record information.  The ability to access CJIS information is a requirement of this position.

Other Qualifications

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, lift, push and pull.

Benefits

Tarrant County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees, retirees, and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical, dental, and vision coverage; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); life and long- term  disability insurance; and flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care reimbursements. The County also provides retirement benefits. Full time employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS), and employees may also participate in a retirement savings program (Deferred Compensation). In addition to these "basic employee benefits" and retirement services, employees benefit from a variety of other programs including 13 paid holidays, a Wellness Program, and more.

*Note: These benefits are for Tarrant County employees only. For benefit information regarding Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees, please contact Patrice Smith at (817) 884-1227.

 

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerTarrant CountyAddress 100 E. Weatherford Suite 301

Fort Worth, Texas, 76196-0105 Phone(817) 884-1188
Website http://www.tarrantcountytx.gov