MCSO Communication Specialist I - Full-Time

Application deadline: August 20, 2026. Salary range: $56,299–$73,892.

About the role

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office seeks professionals who desire to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and the community through excellent customer service, good judgment, and integrity while maintaining safe and secure facilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage internal and external communications as assigned.
• Perform research; stay informed of the latest social media trends, MCSO media coverage, and SEO best practices; gather and evaluate data and information for communication planning and delivery; monitor and recommend communication opportunities and technologies that align with goals and strategies of assignment; evaluate communications results.
• Serve as a department liaison and provide communications support; assist with media inquiries; coordinate departmental response to information requests and inquiries; participate in meetings; facilitate the provision of responses and solutions to customer concerns.
• Prepare and coordinate content for news releases, announcements, newsletters, and presentations; edit departmental communications; gather and edit content; write articles; prepare speaking points; coordinate and evaluate correspondence, management reports, and information released to the media.
• Provide media relations support focusing on community outreach, audience targeting, and engagement; plan, create, monitor, and edit web content and campaign communications; coordinate social media communications and select appropriate platforms.
• Identify, develop, implement, and maintain processes and practices that encourage, support, and promote effective, comprehensive, and meaningful citizen engagement.
• Participate in and provide event and special project coordination and support of promotional items, communications, and related resources.
• Attend agency events (weekdays and select weekends) to cover the agency’s initiatives while creating connections within the community.
• Produce engaging short-form content, including reels and TikToks, along with drafting captions and hashtags, and preparing posts for approval.
• Pitch and develop platform-specific strategies, campaigns, and marketing products.
• Perform a variety of administrative activities in support of the public information office, which may include addressing letters for mailing; compiling information for packets; setting up rooms for meetings; delivering informational packets; making directional signs for meetings; and/or performing other related activities.
• Prepare, edit, and design publications and brochures; review and verify style; coordinate and/or build graphics and layout; capture, take, and/or select photographs; prepare and gather content; and coordinate print materials production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communication, or a related field and four years of public relations experience.
• Proven work experience with social media and knowledge of search engine optimization are a plus.
• This position may require a valid driver’s license.
• Flexibility in schedule and ability to work nights/weekends is required to attend community events as needed.
• Bilingual (fluent in English and Spanish) is ideal.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills, as well as excellent written communication and copywriting skills.

Interview Process

As part of the interview process, candidates will be asked to research and create a concise presentation (10–15 minutes) on a social media strategy that they believe could aid in one of the following initiatives:

• Advertising recruitment
• Promoting Sheriff McFadden's endeavors
• Publicizing our Community Engagement Team's events and efforts
• Increasing public safety awareness