City of Lacey
Overview
Reporting to the Communications Manager, the Communications Specialist provides timely, accurate, professional-level communications to community members, council, and staff regarding City-related issues, events, programs, services, and other relevant items. This position supports outreach and engagement for all City Departments, marketing, and city-branded efforts to ensure a consistent level of communication and professionalism to accomplish City communication outreach goals. It also performs a variety of professional-level community liaison, outreach, and other communication functions to enhance relationships with and communications to community members, improve customer service and access to City services, and accomplish City communication outreach goals. This position is responsible for coordinating various special events; overseeing communications to the City; facilitating the Neighborhood Grant Program; hosting quarterly Neighborhood meetings; planning and facilitating a variety of communication platforms; and attending various community meetings.
Responsibilities
Researches, writes, creates (print/digital materials), and edits professional-level materials for social media, newsletters, web pages, press releases, speeches, correspondence, presentations, and promotional materials. Develops creative strategies to effectively communicate with varied audiences (community members, council, community partners, media, staff, etc.) utilizing existing and emerging technologies.
Oversees and reviews all social media accounts related to City of Lacey (LPD, JAS, Councilmembers, etc.) to ensure compliance with all City policies related to social media use. Writes, creates (print/digital materials), and posts content, monitors, reviews, and responds to all City of Lacey social media accounts.
Creates professional-level graphics and layouts for City-produced digital, print, and mixed media publications, presentations, correspondences, etc.
Serves as a lead website coordinator; creates content, posts, and maintains the City’s website; trains appropriate staff on website posting/editing, and proper content and use of consistent style.
Serves as a lead intranet coordinator; creates content, posts, and maintains the City’s intranet; trains appropriate staff on intranet posting/editing, and proper content and use of consistent style.
Provides guidance and oversight to City-related materials and correspondence to ensure proper use of the City logo, professional design, etc.
Creates professional-level presentations, communications, and other materials, as needed.
May serve as a City liaison on a wide variety of communications. Supports communication efforts centered on regular and controversial issues. Collaboratively develops communication strategies and plans that are delivered with a unified voice.
Composes professional-level communications on City Councilmembers’ behalf, writes speeches, and provides talking points on emerging City-related issues, programs and projects, as needed.
Supports the Public Information Officer (PIO) on media requests and during emergencies. This includes acting as PIO in the absence of the Communications Manager or designee and may serve in other roles as a part of the City's Emergency Coordination Center.
Provides direction and support to all City Departments regarding how to present materials and communications to the public, our stakeholders, and our staff. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation of posters, brochures, presentations, newsletters, etc.
Manages and coordinates several community programs, including the Neighborhood Grant Program and Compassionate Communities program. Tracks and reviews all program applications to determine which project to award grants. Analyzes documentation and ensures proper records are submitted.
Organizes and facilitates regular Neighborhood meetings hosted by the City. Selects, at minimum, four (4) dates during the year to host meetings, chooses topics for each meeting agenda, coordinates the speakers, advertises meetings, sets up for and manages the meeting.
Coordinates community programs in conjunction with community stakeholders, e.g., the annual “Tree Pick up”.
Oversee and coordinate the work of seasonal communications project staff, interns, or contractors.
Manages contract professional photographer services and other communication contracts.
Works collaboratively with City staff to effectively plan and implement a variety of activities, public meetings, and events that support the City’s goals (e.g., Employee Recognition Program).
Manages banner program.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, public relations, journalism, or related fields and two (2) or more years of professional, relevant experience in communications, public relations, special events coordination, community engagement, or related fields.
OR an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, public relations, journalism, print/digital/multimedia, or related fields and four (4) or more years of professional, relevant experience in communications, public relations, journalism, electronic/multimedia, social media, graphic design, or related fields.
OR completion of high school or equivalent diploma and six (6) years of professional, relevant experience in communications, public relations, journalism, electronic/multimedia, social media, graphic design, or related fields.
*May have a combination of experience, education, and training that would substitute for the above requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience creating professional-level graphics and layouts for City-produced digital, print, and mixed media publications, presentations, correspondences, etc.
Experience serves as a lead website coordinator; creates content, posts, and maintains the City’s website; trains appropriate staff on website posting/editing, and proper content and use of consistent style.
Experience in overviewing and reviewing social media.
Special Requirements or Licenses
Must pass a thorough background investigation and reference checks.
Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follow all required safety policies, procedures, and techniques.
Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license at time of hire OR must obtain within thirty (30) days from date of hire, and must have a driving record acceptable to the City and the City’s insurance carrier; OR must be able to provide own transportation to and from job, meetings, and related job sites.
Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
Knowledge
Associated Press (AP) Style Guide.
Website Standards Manual.
Best practices and applications of social media for public/government.
Best practices and principles for designing and writing for online materials.
Principles and best practices of public relations, marketing, and news media techniques.
Principles and best practices of effective copywriting and copy editing, using clear, concise, and accessible language.
Publications and communications productions using a variety of multimedia platforms.
Effective at creating design layouts and using production and editing software.
Principles and best practices of effective project management.
Research methodology, reporting techniques, and report preparation principles.
Methods and procedures of file management and business correspondence.
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Contemporary office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
Skills
Creating timely, accurate, accessible web content, social media content, multimedia content, video content, and print/digital materials that support City outreach goals and municipal government/industry standards and practices.
Use of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other emerging platforms.
Abilities
Support City outreach goals and municipal government/industry standards and practices through creation of timely, accurate, and relevant communications content.
Communicate with all sectors of the public across diverse issues and audiences, including the media.
Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others.
Handle sensitive and complex projects or issues to generate relevant, accurate, and appropriate public information, stories, content, and professional guidance, working in partnership with other City staff.
Deploy creative marketing plans across multiple platforms and media sources.
Analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
Maintain political neutrality while working with elected officials on City messaging.
Work effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and deadlines.
Travel locally to attend meetings or make presentations.
Operate a computer and appropriate software.
Provide a high level of customer service at all times.
Maintain a professional and positive image with those contacted in the course of work.
Maintain regular and dependable attendance.
Work in a manner consistent with the City of Lacey's mission and organizational values.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Responsibilities
Researches, writes, creates (print/digital materials), and edits professional-level materials for social media, newsletters, web pages, press releases, speeches, correspondence, presentations, and promotional materials. Develops creative strategies to effectively communicate with varied audiences (community members, council, community partners, media, staff, etc.) utilizing existing and emerging technologies.
Oversees and reviews all social media accounts related to City of Lacey (LPD, JAS, Councilmembers, etc.) to ensure compliance with all City policies related to social media use. Writes, creates (print/digital materials), and posts content, monitors, reviews, and responds to all City of Lacey social media accounts.
Creates professional-level graphics and layouts for City-produced digital, print, and mixed media publications, presentations, correspondences, etc.
Serves as a lead website coordinator; creates content, posts, and maintains the City’s website; trains appropriate staff on website posting/editing, and proper content and use of consistent style.
Serves as a lead intranet coordinator; creates content, posts, and maintains the City’s intranet; trains appropriate staff on intranet posting/editing, and proper content and use of consistent style.
Provides guidance and oversight to City-related materials and correspondence to ensure proper use of the City logo, professional design, etc.
Creates professional-level presentations, communications, and other materials, as needed.
May serve as a City liaison on a wide variety of communications. Supports communication efforts centered on regular and controversial issues. Collaboratively develops communication strategies and plans that are delivered with a unified voice.
Composes professional-level communications on City Councilmembers’ behalf, writes speeches, and provides talking points on emerging City-related issues, programs and projects, as needed.
Supports the Public Information Officer (PIO) on media requests and during emergencies. This includes acting as PIO in the absence of the Communications Manager or designee and may serve in other roles as a part of the City's Emergency Coordination Center.
Provides direction and support to all City Departments regarding how to present materials and communications to the public, our stakeholders, and our staff. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation of posters, brochures, presentations, newsletters, etc.
Manages and coordinates several community programs, including the Neighborhood Grant Program and Compassionate Communities program. Tracks and reviews all program applications to determine which project to award grants. Analyzes documentation and ensures proper records are submitted.
Organizes and facilitates regular Neighborhood meetings hosted by the City. Selects, at minimum, four (4) dates during the year to host meetings, chooses topics for each meeting agenda, coordinates the speakers, advertises meetings, sets up for and manages the meeting.
Coordinates community programs in conjunction with community stakeholders, e.g., the annual “Tree Pick up”.
Oversee and coordinate the work of seasonal communications project staff, interns, or contractors.
Manages contract professional photographer services and other communication contracts.
Works collaboratively with City staff to effectively plan and implement a variety of activities, public meetings, and events that support the City’s goals (e.g., Employee Recognition Program).
Manages banner program.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, public relations, journalism, or related fields and two (2) or more years of professional, relevant experience in communications, public relations, special events coordination, community engagement, or related fields.
OR an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, public relations, journalism, print/digital/multimedia, or related fields and four (4) or more years of professional, relevant experience in communications, public relations, journalism, electronic/multimedia, social media, graphic design, or related fields.
OR completion of high school or equivalent diploma and six (6) years of professional, relevant experience in communications, public relations, journalism, electronic/multimedia, social media, graphic design, or related fields.
*May have a combination of experience, education, and training that would substitute for the above requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience creating professional-level graphics and layouts for City-produced digital, print, and mixed media publications, presentations, correspondences, etc.
Experience serves as a lead website coordinator; creates content, posts, and maintains the City’s website; trains appropriate staff on website posting/editing, and proper content and use of consistent style.
Experience in overviewing and reviewing social media.
Special Requirements or Licenses
Must pass a thorough background investigation and reference checks.
Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follow all required safety policies, procedures, and techniques.
Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license at time of hire OR must obtain within thirty (30) days from date of hire, and must have a driving record acceptable to the City and the City’s insurance carrier; OR must be able to provide own transportation to and from job, meetings, and related job sites.
Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.
Knowledge
Associated Press (AP) Style Guide.
Website Standards Manual.
Best practices and applications of social media for public/government.
Best practices and principles for designing and writing for online materials.
Principles and best practices of public relations, marketing, and news media techniques.
Principles and best practices of effective copywriting and copy editing, using clear, concise, and accessible language.
Publications and communications productions using a variety of multimedia platforms.
Effective at creating design layouts and using production and editing software.
Principles and best practices of effective project management.
Research methodology, reporting techniques, and report preparation principles.
Methods and procedures of file management and business correspondence.
English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Contemporary office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
Skills
Creating timely, accurate, accessible web content, social media content, multimedia content, video content, and print/digital materials that support City outreach goals and municipal government/industry standards and practices.
Use of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other emerging platforms.
Abilities
Support City outreach goals and municipal government/industry standards and practices through creation of timely, accurate, and relevant communications content.
Communicate with all sectors of the public across diverse issues and audiences, including the media.
Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others.
Handle sensitive and complex projects or issues to generate relevant, accurate, and appropriate public information, stories, content, and professional guidance, working in partnership with other City staff.
Deploy creative marketing plans across multiple platforms and media sources.
Analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions.
Maintain political neutrality while working with elected officials on City messaging.
Work effectively in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and deadlines.
Travel locally to attend meetings or make presentations.
Operate a computer and appropriate software.
Provide a high level of customer service at all times.
Maintain a professional and positive image with those contacted in the course of work.
Maintain regular and dependable attendance.
Work in a manner consistent with the City of Lacey's mission and organizational values.
#J-18808-Ljbffr