Salary : $66,103.84 - $99,155.76 Annually
Location : Monroe, NC
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 406003
Department: Public Communications
Opening Date: 07/08/2026

General Statement

The Communications Specialist, under the supervisor's direction, supports, promotes, and protects the County's Missions, services, and reputation through strategic and creative marketing and communications efforts. This role serves as the primary Public Communications contact for Union County Water. The Communication Specialist develops and executes strategic communication campaigns; manages the production process for publications and printed materials; manages communications projects such as customer notifications, website updates, social media posts, and videos; assists with crisis communications; and coordinates graphic design, photography and videography needs. This position requires a high level of creativity, organization, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Essential Functions
Serves as the primary communications liaison for Union County Water and builds and maintains strong working relationships with departmental leadership and staff.

Develops, implements, and manages strategic communications and marketing plans to support departmental goals and initiatives.
Writes, edits, and manages creative and accessible content for a variety of platforms, including email, website, social media, newsletters, presentations, and other communication channels to a variety of audiences.
Leads efforts to enhance public engagement by serving as the primary point of contact for a dedicated public engagement website, as well as interpreting engagement data and analytics to inform future campaigns and strategic communications.

Manages content and serves as the primary point of contact for Union County Water's website.

Ensures internal and external messages are delivered consistently and aligned with the Union County Water's brand.
Coordinates and collaborates with internal design and multimedia staff, as well as external vendors when needed, to create graphics, videos, and other digital content that align with communication strategies.
Assists in planning and executing public events and community outreach efforts as needed.
Supports and participates as needed in emergency events as a member of Public Communications.
Works on special projects as directed by the Director and/or Assistant Director, as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Marketing, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or related field, and three (3) years of experience in the respective area of support; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licenses or Certifications:

Must have a valid Driver's License and be able to maintain a safe driving history as defined by the Union County Vehicle Use Policy.
Special Requirements:

Strong writing and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
Work may occasionally require an irregular work schedule, including evening and weekends to attend meetings or events and some travel.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:
Experience with regulatory, engineering, customer service, and/or utility communications, including the proven ability to understand and interpret technical and operational information related to water and wastewater utilities and translate complex concepts into clear and engaging communications for various audiences, including customers, elected officials, employees, media, and the general public.
Special Requirements:

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with content management systems and social media platforms.
Skilled in interpreting and reporting data.

Supplemental Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must be physically able to operate a computer, printers, copiers, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle. Must be physically able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment with frequent off-site meetings or events.
INSURANCE PROGRAMS

HEALTH INSURANCE

All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period. Preventative Care Coverage Prescription Coverage

Health & Wellness Center available exclusively to Union County employees, spouses and dependents covered under the health plan.

DENTAL INSURANCE

All full-time employees and their eligible dependents can participate on the first day of the first full month of employment. You must sign up for coverage within your first 30 days of employment or wait until the annual enrollment period.

LIFE INSURANCE

Basic Term life Insurance in the amount of one times the annual salary is provided for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Additional coverage for Life Insurance (Accident, Cancer, Long Term and Short Term) is available for purchase through payroll deduction for the employee and eligible dependents.

FINANCIAL PROGRAMS

RETIREMENT

Membership in the North Carolina Local Government Employees Retirement System is a requirement for all full-time and benefitted part-time employees. Employees contribute six percent (6%) of their annual compensation before it is taxed. If you leave County service before retirement, you may withdraw your retirement contributions or elect to freeze your contributions in anticipation of future local government employment. If you have five (5) years of service, you are 100% vested in the NCLGERS.

NC401(k)

The NC401(k) supplemental retirement program is available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees. The County establishes this 401(k) account for each eligible employee and makes a five percent (5%) contribution based on biweekly earnings. Employees may elect to make voluntary contributions through payroll deduction.

457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The 457 Deferred Compensation program is available to all employees through payroll deduction. Deferred compensation is a voluntary investment plan to supplement retirement income and to defer taxable income.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

Options are available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees who wish to use pre-tax dollars for eligible medical, pharmacy, dental, vision, and daycare expenses. The Flex Debit Card program gives you instant access to your account funds.

Health Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible health care expenses.

Dependent Care Spending Account -- Section 125 of the IRS Code allows yearly voluntary enrollment to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible dependent care expenses.

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Deposit of your paycheck will be made to checking or savings accounts in a bank of your choice.

TRUIST
No Overdraft Fees
$100 Negative Balance Buffer
Online and Mobile Banking with Bill Pay

LEAVE PROGRAMS

VACATION LEAVE

Vacation leave is accrued based on creditable years of service in the Local Government Employees Retirement System.

SICK LEAVE

For full-time County employees, sick leave accrues at eight (8.0) hours per month. Benefitted part-time employees accrue prorated sick leave based on a percentage of the full-time rate. Your unused sick leave balance can be applied as creditable service toward a service retirement under the guidelines of the NCLGERS.

SICK LEAVE TRANSFER FROM OTHER AGENCIES

Unused sick leave earned from another North Carolina Governmental Agency and/or entity, will be accepted and transferred to the County as follows: twelve (12) sick leave days will be transferred and added to the employees active sick leave balance after completion of six (6) months of employment. The remaining balance of sick leave documented for transfer at the time of employment will be recorded in the employees permanent personnel file. On the fifth anniversary of employment with the County, the remaining balance of transferred sick leave will be added to the employees active sick leave balance.

HOLIDAYS

There are 13 County recognized holidays (includes 3 days for Christmas) per year with 1 floating holiday available.

MILITARY LEAVE

Annual Training - 10 paid workdays granted.

Active Duty - 20 paid workdays granted.

CIVIL LEAVE

Paid leave is provided to full-time or regular part-time County employees called for jury duty or as a witness of the court for the federal or state government, or a subdivision thereof.

FAMILY & MEDICAL LEAVE ACT

Federal law provides job protection and continuation of existing paid health insurance during 12 weeks of leave, paid or unpaid, to an eligible employee for qualifying events. These events can include birth or adoption, and serious illness of an immediate family member, or of the employee.

PAID PARENTAL LEAVE

Parental Leave provides the employee paid leave for the first eight weeks of approved FML for the birth of a son or daughter, or placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE

Educational Leave is available to regular full-time and benefitted part-time employees when participating in a job-related, short course, such as an update, not to exceed ten (10) consecutive working days.

VOLUNTEER TIME OFF

Volunteer Time Off will provide employees with 16 hours of paid time per calendar year to volunteer at approved Union County community partner agencies.
OTHER PROGRAMS

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Employee Assistance Program is open to all employees and their dependents. It is a confidential service provided at no cost to the employees of the County. EAP provides certified counselors who administer assessment and brief therapy to employees who want help with a variety of personal and work-related issues such as stress, parenting concerns, grief, alcohol/drug use, family problems, financial concerns, and work-related problems.

AQUATIC AND FITNESS CENTER

We believe that staying healthy is more than just exercising regularly and eating well. Individual and family discount membership and monthly dues are available to full-time and benefitted part-time employees through payroll deduction.

NATIONAL COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM

The National College Savings Program is open to all employees. The Program is designed to provide certain tax advantages, encourage and facilitate saving to pay the costs of attending eligible institutions.
01

Please describe your experience related to marketing, journalism, communications, public Relations, or related field.
02

Do you have three years of related experience?

• Yes
• No

03

On occasion, you may have to work an irregular work schedule, including evening and weekends to attend meetings or events and some travel. Are you available to work a flexible schedule if needed?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have any experience related to water and wastewater utilities?

• Yes
• No

Required Question