Office of Community Engagement

Community Engagement promotes citizen engagement with local government by providing information to the public and supporting internal and external agencies.

The Community Engagement Department is comprised of Citizens Assistance and Volunteer Services and Communications. These programs serve Stafford County Government by identifying and implementing appropriate assistive and communication strategies allowing the government to communicate and engage effectively with its customers, elected officials and employees while fostering an informed citizenry.

Citizen Assistance and Volunteer Services:

• Acts as an information portal for Stafford citizens and visitors, including providing problem-solving and complaint processing services.
• Offers citizens the convenience of an information/311 call center.
• Provides citizen education and outreach to include a citizen's academy, third-grade tours and a student government program offered throughout the year.
• Oversees the County's volunteer program and facilitates the recruitment, training and scheduling for volunteers.

Communications:

• Staff implements strategic communication efforts that support the Board of Supervisors' priorities and services Stafford County provides over several communication channels and mediums such as social media, video, web content and branding.
• Serves as the County's primary spokesperson to elected officials, staff, citizens, and the general public by providing open, timely and accurate information about County services through all available outlets, including the media, website, and social media.
• Supports and plans several special events and initiatives of the Board of Supervisors and County Administration.
• Responsible for emergency communications during the activation of emergencies.
• Directs all internal communications for employees, including the communication responsibility for large organizational project implementations.
• Oversees and manages the organization's most critical communication touchpoint, Stafford County's website, and facilitates the government cable channel and the Telecommunications Commission.
• The pandemic has provided opportunities to transition the organization's website to improve mobile responsiveness and branding, along with audio/visual enhancements for Board and organization communications.
• Restructuring of office responsibilities to include web administration oversight and the addition of communication professionals dedicated to increasing communication media production.
• CARES Act funding provided for a new studio to assist in more robust communication strategies, especially in video production.

Personnel

• 4.5% Pay Scale Adjustment
• 2.0% Salary Increase
• 2.13% increase in Virginia Retirement System Rate
• .03% decrease in the Virginia Retiree Health Insurance Credit Rate

Operating

• Increae in postage
• Increase in printing costs
• additional funding in memberships and dues

• Implement innovative volunteer programs across local government departments that are engaging, increase skills and knowledge, and provide meaningful opportunities to those of varying abilities and skill levels. (Service levels 1 and 2)
• Ensure that citizen and customer inquiries and concerns are addressed quickly and efficiently. (Service levels 1, 2, and 3)
• Develop and implement innovative educational programs that will elevate engagement with the community. (Service level 4)
• Implement social media strategies across several different platforms to promote citizen engagement with local government. (Service level 5 and 8)
• Identify and create appropriate inbound content strategies to effectively communicate the BOS priorities and County services with customers and stakeholders. (Service level 6 and 8)
• Deliver relevant internal communication via new and current technologies to maximize staff engagement. (Service level 7)