Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION
Manage, supervise, and coordinate activities and operations in support of the City’s communications plan and community engagement strategies including the development of effective messaging and communication strategies; disseminate information on City policies and initiatives to the public; manage media interaction and coverage, develop the City’s annual report, oversee website content and navigation and social media platforms; create materials for special events and implement logistics; create City branded presentation materials; maintain City functions related to public information and community relations; coordinate assigned activities with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; and provide communications counsel to the City Manager.
JOB CLASSIFICATION
Exempt, Non-Safety Sensitive.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from the City Manager.
Exercises direct supervision over assigned staff.
PRIMARY DUTIES--The following are examples of primary duties assigned to positions in this classification. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1. Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of assigned staff; participate in the selection of assigned staff; provide or coordinate staff training; identify and manage team assignments and deadlines, including the implementation of the City’s communication plans; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures.
2. Manage and participate in the development and implementation of public engagement and communication initiatives, policies, and procedures in support of the City’s Strategic Plan.
3. Coordinate accurate, timely, and accessible public information to promote a positive City image and public perception, communicate local government issues, and maintain public awareness of City programs and services; anticipate areas of public concern and follow through on activities designed to keep the public informed and aware of major issues.
4. Develop and oversee community engagement programing; develop strategies to enhance information flow between City staff and community members; in collaboration with City staff create and implement promotional plans for new projects and programs; participate on committees working to resolve community issues
5. Manage media relations to include writing and disseminating press releases, coordinating interviews for key leadership and the Mayor/City Manager, addressing key issues with local editorial boards, pitching story ideas to local reporters, writing articles for submission, preparing spokespersons and conducting media training.
6. Coordinate, author, edit, and publish the City Calendar and Annual Report, staff enewsletter City Lights, special event scripts and presentations for the City Manager and Mayor; oversee writing, design, translation and printing for marketing and promotional materials, write press releases and videos as needed.
7. Oversee and manage the design and content of the City’s websites and social media; collaborate with department staff to actively monitor, interact, and respond to internal and external interactions on the City’s websites and social media; implement staff policies related to communications.
8. Implement the Accessibility Plan and ensure Citywide compliance by creating and disseminating the Accessibility Guide and other tools.
9. Manage outreach to and engagement with our underserved community including non-English speaking community members.
10. Provide editing and input on Council Briefing, Council memos and Agenda items in Council packet; manage Citywide email communications.
11. Participate in the development and administration of the department's annual budget; participate in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitor and approve expenditures; implement adjustments.
12. Serve on professional committees or organizations; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay up to date regarding trends and innovations in the field of public information and government/community relations.
13. Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Operations, services and activities of municipal government services, organization, and general political structure.
Principles and practices of public relations, community involvement and marketing strategies.
Social and economic conditions, cultures, dynamics, and issues associated with living and working in diverse communities.
Principles and practices of cultural diversity and inclusion.
Principles and practices of community engagement/public participation.
Public outreach, resident response, and neighborhood development and program planning principles, practices, current issues, and trends.
Customer service principles and problem resolution techniques.
Principles and practices of project management.
Principles and applications of graphic design and layout.
Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
Effective public speaking and presentation techniques.
English usage, spelling grammar and punctuation.
Modern office technology and equipment, including computers and related software applications.
Principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
Ability to:
Supervise, plan and direct a public information and communication relations program.
Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
Participate in the development and administration of division goals, objectives, and procedures.
Organize and manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Write and/or edit written materials for publication.
Identify opportunities to publicize City programs.
Present technical data, in verbal, written, graphic and map form to a variety of audiences.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the public and City employees.
Operate and use modern office equipment including computer and various software applications.
Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Speak, read, comprehend, and write the English language fluently.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Minimum Requirements:
Experience:
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible media relations, public relations or journalism experience including three years of supervisory responsibility.
Training:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public relations, communications, journalism, public administration or a related field.
Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid Colorado Driver’s license.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, the City of Grand Junction Leadership Track certification within two (2) years of appointment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
The job is performed in the following working environment:
Office environment.; exposure to computer screens.
Physical Conditions:
The job is characterized by:
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
The following physical activities are very or extremely important in accomplishing the job’s purpose and are performed on a daily basis:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, see and demonstrate manual dexterity. The employee is occasionally required to kneel, stoop, and perform light lifting.