Communications Specialist

About Maple Grove, MN

Maple Grove is a dynamic community known for proactive planning, thoughtful growth, and an exceptional quality of life. Home to more than 73,000 residents and projected to grow to 90,000 by 2040, Maple Grove offers premier shopping and dining, miles of trails, beautiful parks and lakes, and year-round recreation and community events. As our community continues to grow, so does the opportunity to make an impact. The City of Maple Grove employs more than 900 employees who provide a wide range of services that help make Maple Grove an exceptional place to live, work, and play.

The Position

The City of Maple Grove is seeking a creative and collaborative communications professional to join our team as a Communications Specialist. This position plays a key role in connecting residents, businesses, and the community with important information through engaging and creative communications. You’ll create, write, edit, and share content across a variety of channels, including the City website, social media, newsletters, photography, graphic design, and other public information materials. You’ll also support communications projects and initiatives while helping ensure the City’s messaging and brand remain consistent, professional, and engaging. The ideal candidate is dependable, collaborative, and creative, with strong communication skills and the ability to take the lead on projects, bring new ideas forward, and confidently manage communications from concept to completion. Maple Grove offers competitive pay, exceptional benefits, a PERA pension, and opportunities for professional growth, all while making a meaningful impact in one of Minnesota's fastest-growing communities. Come join our growing and diverse community!

Pre-employment requirements: 
Employment for this position is contingent upon the successful completion of a reference check, background check, and City Council approval.

• Develops, writes, edits, and publishes engaging content across multiple channels, including the City website, social media, newsletters, press releases, digital signage, brochures, and other print and digital materials.

• Serves as a communications resource to City departments, providing guidance and developing effective materials that support programs, projects, services, and initiatives.

• Maintains and updates the City website and digital content, ensuring information is accurate, current, accessible, and consistent with City branding and communication standards.

• Creates graphics, photography, and other visual content to promote City services, programs, events, and community initiatives.

• Supports community engagement and public outreach efforts, including surveys, campaigns, special events, publications, and emergency communications.

• Monitors communication effectiveness through website analytics and social media metrics, maintains digital communication resources, and stays current on emerging communications trends, technologies, and best practices.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of local government operations, organization, and communication practices.
• Principles and practices of communications, marketing, public information, and customer service. 
• English grammar, spelling, punctuation, plain language, and business writing. 
• Website content management, social media, and digital communication best practices. 
• Graphic design principles and visual communication techniques. 
• Branding, accessibility, and effective communication methods.

Ability to:

• Create, edit, and publish clear, accurate, and engaging communication materials for a variety of audiences and communication channels. 
• Build and maintain positive working relationships while delivering exceptional internal customer service. 
• Manage multiple projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities. 
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with employees, residents, elected officials, and community partners. 
• Exercise sound judgment, attention to detail, and creativity while working independently and collaboratively.

Need to have: 

• Associates degree or higher in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Digital Media, Graphic Design, or a closely related field, or completion of the degree within one year of hire.
• Valid Minnesota Drivers License 
• Previous experience working in a communications department. 

Nice to have: 

• Experience in communications, marketing, journalism, public information, or public relations. 
• Experience creating content for websites, social media, newsletters, or other digital communication platforms. 
• Experience using graphic design software such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite. 
• Experience working in a communications department for a local government or another public sector organization. 
• Experience with photography or digital media.

Environmental Conditions:
Performs work primarily in an office environment with frequent use of computers and standard office equipment. Regularly attends city meetings, community events, and other locations to support communication initiatives. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support meetings, events, emergency communications, or other city activities.

Physical Conditions:
Essential and other important responsibilities require the ability to sit and stand for extended periods; walk throughout city facilities and event locations; bend, stoop, reach, and lift or carry materials and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. Requires manual dexterity to operate computers, cameras, and other office equipment, as well as sufficient vision, hearing, and speech to communicate effectively and perform the essential functions of the position.