Communications & Community Engagement Director

SUMMARYThe Director of Communications & Community Engagement plans, develops, and administers the City's internal and external communications programs to promote transparency, public awareness, and meaningful community engagement. This position serves as the City's primary communications professional and provides strategic communications support to the City Manager’s Office, Mayor, City Council, and City departments.The Director develops and disseminates timely, accurate, and consistent public information through traditional media, digital platforms, social media, the City's website, and other communication channels. The position is responsible for overseeing the City's website and digital presence, coordinating media relations, managing public information during emergencies, and fostering positive relationships with residents, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders.This position serves as, or supports, the City's Public Information Officer (PIO) during emergencies and special events and ensures consistent messaging across all City communications.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSEssential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive citywide communications strategy that promotes transparency, public awareness, and community engagement.
• Serve as the City's primary media liaison; respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews, press conferences, and public statements.
• Write, edit, and distribute press releases, public notices, newsletters, speeches, presentations, talking points, and other official communications.
• Administer and maintain the City's website, ensuring content is accurate, current, user-friendly, ADA accessible, and consistent with City policies and branding standards.
• Coordinate website content updates with all City departments, including news releases, meeting information, agendas, public notices, employment opportunities, forms, emergency alerts, calendars, and departmental information.
• Evaluate and improve website functionality, navigation, and content organization to enhance public access to City services and information.
• Manage the City's social media platforms by creating timely, informative, and engaging content while maintaining consistent messaging and responding appropriately to public inquiries.
• Coordinate emergency and crisis communications in collaboration with emergency responders, department leadership, and partner agencies; serve as or support the Public Information Officer (PIO) during incidents by developing and disseminating timely, accurate, and consistent information to the public and media in accordance with established incident command protocols.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication plans and communication protocols for emergencies and significant public events.
• Provide strategic communications counsel to the City Manager, executive leadership, Mayor, and City Council regarding public messaging, media relations, and community outreach.
• Coordinate communication efforts across all City departments to ensure consistency, accuracy, and professionalism.
• Develop communication plans for City projects, capital improvements, initiatives, public meetings, and community events.
• Coordinate public engagement initiatives, community meetings, educational campaigns, and outreach efforts that encourage resident participation and civic involvement.
• Produce brochures, newsletters, annual reports, informational materials, digital content, videos, presentations, and other communication resources.
• Monitor media coverage, public sentiment, website analytics, and social media performance; prepare reports and recommend communication improvements based on measurable results.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with media representatives, community organizations, businesses, schools, neighborhood groups, and governmental agencies.
• Photograph and document City projects, programs, meetings, and events for publication and historical records.
• Assist with branding standards and ensure consistent visual identity across City communications while emphasizing public information over promotional messaging.
• Perform on-site communications support during City events, public meetings, emergency incidents, and special projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSAny combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A typical way to obtain these qualifications would be:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Administration, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Marketing, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, or governmental communications, including experience managing digital communications and websites.
• Experience working with elected officials, executive leadership, or governmental agencies is highly desirable.

 KNOWLEDGE OF

• Principles and practices of public information and governmental communications.
• Media relations and crisis communications.
• Website content management systems (CMS), web content strategy, and digital accessibility (ADA/WCAG).
• Social media management and digital communications.
• Public engagement and community outreach techniques.
• Graphic design principles and multimedia communications.
• AP Style and professional writing standards.
• Emergency communications and Public Information Officer Responsibilities.
• Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, Canva, and related communication software.
• Website analytics, social media analytics, and performance measurement.
• Principles of municipal government organization and operations.

 SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate public communications.
• Translate complex governmental information into language easily understood by the public.
• Manage and maintain a comprehensive municipal website.
• Coordinate multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when appropriate.
• Build positive relationships with elected officials, staff, media representatives, and the public.
• Remain calm and communicate effectively during emergency situations.
• Work independently while managing competing priorities.
• Utilize photography, graphic design, video, and multimedia tools to enhance public communications.

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in municipal or county government communications.
• Public Information Officer (PIO) certification or completion of FEMA Public Information Officer training.
• Experience administering municipal websites using a content management system.
• Knowledge of ADA website accessibility requirements and best practices.
• Experience with video production, photography, and multimedia storytelling.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication skills.
• Experience with GIS story maps, email communication platforms, and online engagement tools.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment with frequent computer use.
• Requires occasional attendance at evening meetings, community events, emergency incidents, and weekend activities.
• May occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through digital communication platforms.
• Position must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

 WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Primarily office environment with moderate noise levels.
• Frequent interaction with the public, elected officials, media representatives, and City employees.
• Occasional outdoor work in varying weather conditions during community events or emergency incidents.
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended hours during emergencies or major City events.

 NORMAL PROMOTION PATH FROM THIS CLASSPositions for which the employee is qualified and meets the minimum qualifications, based on organizational needs and available opportunities.