Ability to: Scale social media accounts to significant levels across multiple platforms; Plan, organize, direct, and implement an effective and complex communications program; Write, edit, and lay out a variety of clear and concise articles for publication, speeches, scripts for radio and television, and reports and correspondence, often for the signature of executive leaders; Measure effectiveness of communication methods and implement improvements; Identify and implement emerging and new forms of communications; Effectively speak before, and facilitate discussions with, large and small groups; Organize, write, design, and lay out various written communications for a broad range of target audiences; Prepare clear and concise reports and written communications; Be proactive, creative, and resourceful in completing assignments; Supervise, train, develop, and motivate staff; Effectively utilize information systems; Learn the principles and practices of risk, crisis, and emergency communications; Learn the County organizational structure/operations, and the laws and regulations pertaining to the operations of the assigned agency/department; Understand and communicate technical data to the media and other audiences; Use excellent time-management and work prioritizations skills; work quickly and effectively under pressure, with frequent interruptions, short deadlines, and tight schedules; meet deadlines with minimal direction; Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Knowledge of: Principles and techniques of web page design and development; Principles and techniques of copy writing, speech writing, planning press conferences, and preparing news releases; Methods and techniques used in evaluating public attitudes regarding County and agency/departmental operations and issues, the determination of public affairs needs, and evaluating the effectiveness of communications programs; Concepts of branding; Principles and techniques of effective communication, and public relations, and news media relations; Principles, practices, and techniques of current and emerging public communications, relations, and information media; Interviewing techniques; Correct use of English grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation; Methods of administrative problem solving; Customs and practices of traditional media, social media, and citizen journalists; Presentation techniques; Research, analysis methods, and report writing; Principles of project management; Tools and software necessary for audio and video recording and editing; Computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, graphics, and digital photography.