The County Dakota County, Minnesota is one of seven counties in the rapidly growing Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Located across the Mississippi River to the south from Minneapolis and St. Paul, Dakota County is set in a rolling landscape of farms, lakes, forests and streams, including the Vermillion River, characterized as the only trophy trout stream within a major metropolitan area. Dakota County is bordered on the north and east by the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers and the Cannon River in the south. Dakota County has a strong tradition of collaboration throughout the community that has produced a high quality lifestyle with an excellent system of schools, libraries and public services, and a vibrant business climate. Residents and visitors to Dakota County enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities available in abundant sports facilities, golf courses and beautiful county and regional parks. Nearly 95% of the County's 400,000 residents (third most populous county in Minnesota) live in 11 large cities, and the remainder of the population resides in small cities and rural townships. The county's population has grown 29% over the last decade, and this trend is likely to continue with a projected population of 460,000 by 2020. Economic Characteristics Prominent employers in Dakota County include a variety of Fortune 500 companies and industries that include a major airline, many technology companies and leading U.S. food distributors. The largest industries, in terms of the number of establishments, include: professional and technical services, retail trade, health care, and finance and insurance. The county workforce is well-educated, and the unemployment rate in Dakota County (3.1%) remains below the statewide average. Recreation Opportunities- Parks and Libraries Residents in Dakota County enjoy the availability of eight public libraries, with a ninth to be completed in 2008. The Dakota County Library System has the third largest circulation per capita in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and consistently ranks among the best library systems in the United States. Dakota County maintains an extensive parks system encompassing a total of 4,698 acres that had 886,900 visitors in 2005. Included in the parks system are RV campgrounds, boat launches, lodge facilities, and a visitor center. Dakota County is also dedicated to natural resource preservation. In November 2002, residents voted to fund the Farmland and Natural Areas Program (FNAP) that protects farmland and natural areas through the voluntary sale of conservation easements from willing landowners. Dakota County is the only county in Minnesota to operate such a program. Transportation Dakota County provides and maintains approximately 440 miles of County highways. In addition, the County is developing a 16-mile Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system to serve commuters from Lakeville to Bloomington, which will be completed in 2009. Three other corridor transitways are currently under development or consideration. Municipalities Dakota County has an area of 587 square miles, including 13 townships and 21 municipalities. The 11 largest cities within Dakota County range from 11,700 to 65,000 residents, with Eagan as the eighth largest city in Minnesota. A number of amenities are housed in these cities including the Minnesota Zoo, the 2000-acre Lebanon Hills Regional Park, a ski resort, a 1.2 million square foot regional mall, extensive river bluff and wooded areas, numerous golf courses, and much more.  The Organization The Dakota County government consists of four divisions, 27 departments and a workforce of 1,800+ employees scattered among 20 locations (three primary service centers, eight public libraries, a major transportation maintenance facility, and other smaller buildings) throughout the county. An elected County Board consists of seven members representing seven districts. Other elected officials include the County Attorney and the County Sheriff. The County Administrator is an appointed position. Developed as administrative agencies of the state as well as local governments, Minnesota counties provide numerous services on behalf of the state. Dakota County provides a full range of services including human services, community corrections, jail, parks, libraries, planning, transportation, and environmental programs. County services are funded with property taxes, state and federal funding, and revenue resources (e.g. fines, forfeitures, investments, sales of public land, and others). The total annual 2006 budget is $361 million. For further details on services provided by Dakota County, please visit the website www.dakotacounty.us Communicating Value Dakota County has used a traditional public information approach in the past that focused on responding to media inquiries, preparing news releases, and developing cable programming based on County departments’ interests and abilities. In early 2006, the Board of Commissioners developed a strategic communication plan to better inform citizens about ways County services affect their quality of life on a daily basis. The plan calls for refocusing the County’s communication efforts to execute and enhance the new adopted “Communicating Value” vision. The Communicating Value plan uses a variety of updated methods to communicate with and engage residents and stakeholders in County decisions and provide opportunities for involvement. By implementing a new direction in communications, Dakota County aspires to develop a premier communications program. The Communications Department Located in the County Administration department, the central communications function is currently comprised of two employees (Communications Manager and Communications Specialist). The role of Central Communications is to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate public information for residents, stakeholders, and media, as well as managing internal communications. Central Communications also supports communication efforts for the County Board and senior managers. Staff in other County departments work in conjunction with Central Communications to ensure uniformity in key messages in all community outreach efforts. The 2006 budget for Central Communications was approximately $350,000. To provide sufficient resources for the implementation of the Communicating Value plan, additional staff is recommended in the 2007 budget. Communications Department Structure  * Current staff ** Addition in 2007 *** Future position The Position The Director of Public Information and Communications is a newly created position that will oversee the creation and strategic leadership of the County’s internal and external public information and communications activities, including the implementation of the Communicating Value strategic plan. The Director will report to the County Administrator and work in conjunction with elected officials and staff from the various County departments and agencies. Specific duties include: • Provide strategic leadership to public information and communications, and community relations. • Work collaboratively with the County Administrator, Board of Commissioners and other County executives. • Develop a comprehensive communications program to provide a cohesive identity and brand message externally and internally. • Serve as liaison for the County Administrator and County Board. • Plan various meetings and functions related to public information and communication issues. • Update and implement the County’s strategic communications plan on an annual basis. Background and Experience Candidates for the Director of Public Information and Communications will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field and a total of seven years of progressively responsible public information, public affairs, or directly relevant experience, including three years of supervisory experience. Qualified candidates will have specific knowledge, skills, and experience in the following areas: • Development and implementation of communications strategies. • Create opportunities for citizen engagement and maintain responsiveness to citizen requests. • Brand development and management. • Budget development and monitoring. • Use of print and other communications media. • Staff supervision. • Knowledge and experience with computer software, equipment (e.g. video), and other technology currently used in the communications field. • Working knowledge of county and/or local government operations. • Public speaking and presentation skills. • Strong writing skills to communicate with various audiences (web content, media, citizens, stakeholders). Management Capabilities • Ability to coordinate the efforts of central and departmental public relations and communications staff. • Ability to work closely with elected officials, stakeholders, and a diverse constituency. • Ability to handle “crisis communication” situations. • Ability to provide financial oversight of departmental budget and communication-related expenses. • Ability to supervise, motivate, evaluate, and delegate duties to a direct staff of 2-5. Position Priorities • Implement, enhance, and regularly evaluate Communicating Value study strategies, such as the development of countywide communication policies and standards to improve internal and external communications. • Establish countywide standards for brand management and create and manage a strategic brand identity to promote Dakota County Government throughout all communications, signage, etc. • Consistently monitor and improve electronic communications, focusing on communicating with the public and seeking feedback. • Promote internal communications across the organization. • Provide County staff with ongoing information about County services, key messages, and training on customer care. Announcement Announcement Director of Public Information and Communications; Dakota County, MN (pop. 400,000) Starting salary $80s to mid $90s. Dakota County, Minnesota is one of seven counties in the rapidly growing Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Dakota County has a strong tradition of collaboration throughout the community that has produced a high-quality lifestyle with an excellent system of schools, parks, libraries and public services, as well as a vibrant business climate. The Director of Public Information and Communications is a newly created position that will provide strategic leadership of the County’s internal and external public information and communications activities, including implementation of the Communicating Value strategic plan. Candidates for the Director, Public Information and Communications will possess a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field and a total of seven years progressively responsible public information, public affairs, or directly relevant experience, including three years of supervisory experience. Position Profile available. Send resume by 11/20/06 to: The Brimeyer Group Executive Search 50 S. 9th Avenue, #101, Hopkins, MN 55343 Phone: (952) 945-0246, Fax: (952) 945-0102 e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com, web: www.brimgroup.com. Electronic application available at: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/dakota/default.cfm Timetable 11/20/06 Deadline for Application 12/21/06 Present Candidates/Select Finalists Week of 1/5/07 Interview/Selection February 2007 Start Date |
|||||||
|
© Copyright 2003-2006 The Brimeyer Group, Inc |
Print
Close Window