COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Under general supervision, assist with overseeing the City's website, social media accounts, newsletters, and marketing materials; research, document, prepare, and distribute written and oral communications; communicate news of city programs, events, accomplishments and services to various internal and external audiences. 

• Collaborate with other departments in the development of City-wide communication efficiencies.  
• Prepare highly visible, accurate, written communication deliverables and sensitive communication of all City issues, press releases and media communications.  
• Create, edit, and coordinate reviews of various communications plans, timelines, and materials that support the communication of consistent external messages. 
• Oversee and guide the work of external vendors and contractors, provide expectations to ensure work is completed on time and to City standards. 
• Create, edit, and manage website content in collaboration with program staff to ensure the web content meets program objectives and is aligned with the City’s overall brand and messaging. Ensure city’s website is easy to navigate and use, monitor analytics to determine which content is the most effective and adjust as necessary.  
• Ensure creative content delivers on overarching brand strategy. 
• Responsible for taking photographs or working with photographers to provide professional services at city events, promotional ceremonies, or meetings.  
• Assist departments with graphics, website, and social media management, as well as provide marketing efforts for campaigns, events, e-mail blasts, and content.  
• Oversee website content development and functionality, provide technical guidance to ensure consistent messaging and branding. 
• Attend and schedule training and meetings with departments, to develop communication themes and programs for distribution, in accordance with all written city policies and procedures. 
• Provide input on the development of relevant, integrated, and cost-effective cross-media marketing campaigns to deliver creative excellence against campaign goals. 
• Provide support at City Council meetings as required for special recognition. 
• Coordinate citizen surveys, feedback mechanisms and prepare correspondence for City officials as assigned. 
• Adhere to assigned work schedule as outlined in city and department attendance policies and procedures. 
• Maintain availability to work after regular work hours/weekends as events, meetings and programming needs dictate. 
• Develop and execute marketing campaigns, collaborating with creative professionals for impactful materials. 
• Support, maintain and administer the City's websites, ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. 
• Promote internal and external City events and programs. 
• Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

Associate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field, plus 7 to 11 months in Media, Public Relations, or Journalism with emphasis on copy writing, design, layout, editing of newsletters and other publications OR equivalent combination of education and experience. 
Advanced: Word Processing/Typing Intermediate: Contact Management, Presentation/PowerPoint.
Must possess a valid driver's license at the time of hire or promotion. 
Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, and MVR check. Occasional use of complex machines and equipment (desktop/laptop computer and software, road and production machines and equipment, etc.) 

ENVIRONMENTAL/ WORKING CONDITIONS
Periodically exposed to such elements as noise, intermittent standing, walking, pushing, carrying, or lifting; but none are present to the extent of being disagreeable. The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions; and occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts, work in high, precarious places, fumes, or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. Moderate diversity, low physical. Work activities which allow for a moderate amount of diversity in the performance of tasks which are not as varied as those positions with high-level diversity and decision-making. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms; frequently required to stand, walk; and occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; color vision; peripheral vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.