What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications and Engagement Manager position at City of Grand Junction, Colorado?
Description
COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
HIRING RANGE - $8,398 - $9,452 Monthly
New to the City of Grand Junction? Receive 40 Hours PTO upon hire!
About the Position:
The City of Grand Junction is seeking a dynamic communicator to join our Team as its Communications and Engagement Manager. The Communications Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating activities that support the City’s communications plan and community engagement strategies. This role includes developing effective messaging, disseminating information on City policies and initiatives, and managing media interactions. Additionally, the Communications Manager plans special events, facilitates public relations efforts, and collaborates with City departments and external agencies to enhance community engagement. Serving as a key advisor to the City Manager, this role ensures clear, strategic, and impactful communication with the public. The new Communications and Engagement Manager will work with all departments to uphold and foster our culture of continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exceptional customer service.
What We Offer:
We know that a healthy and happy workforce is a thriving workforce, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports quality work-life balance including 32 days of paid annual leave, health insurance options, employer-matched retirement, a City employee health clinic, wellness program, and an Employee Assistance Program. Of equal importance, we offer an opportunity to serve the community you love and live in. Our employees find their work rewarding and fulfilling, knowing that their day job makes a positive impact.
About the Communications and Engagement Division:
The Communications & Engagement Division (C & E) develops strategies, offers guidance to City departments/divisions for the implementation of communication plans, and communicates with internal and external customers regarding City initiatives, plan development, special events, and emergency notifications.
Our Culture:
At the City of Grand Junction, we lead the way with continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exemplary service. Our core values are demonstrated by our willingness to challenge the status quo, ability to work together using all areas of expertise to achieve a common goal, and commitment to fulfilling the needs of our community through thoughtful interactions. We are searching for professionals who share our values to join our organization.
Duties
What You'll Do:
- Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of three dedicated staff members.
- 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.
- 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.
- Develop and oversee community engagement programing.
- 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.
- Coordinate, author, edit, and publish the City Calendar and Annual Report, staff newsletter City Lights, special event scripts and presentations for the City Manager and Mayor.
- 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.
- Manage outreach to and engagement with our underserved community including non-English speaking community members.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
To review the complete job description, please click here.
Qualifications
What We're Looking For:
- Five (5) years of increasingly responsible media relations, public relations or journalism experience including three years of supervisory responsibility.
- 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.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver's License.
Notice to Applicants:
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, we kindly request that you do not include the dates of your education to include years of attendance or graduation on your application, resume or attachments.
Supplemental Information
City of Grand Junction Employee Childcare Facility:
We know finding a quality childcare provider can be challenging, that's why the City of Grand Junction is proud to offer its employees affordable childcare through the City of Grand Junction Childcare Facility (GJCCF). GJCCF offers childcare for children ages 6 weeks (infants) to 6 years of age (preschool). With flexible scheduling and highly trained Early Childhood Education professionals, know that your little one will be in good hands while you support your community.
Explore the Area:
Grand Junction, Colorado is the gateway to the mountains and canyonlands of western Colorado and eastern Utah. Centrally located between Denver, CO (250 miles east) and Salt Lake City, UT (270 miles west), Grand Junction is surrounded by 1.2 million acres of public land. Residents enjoy world-class whitewater rafting on the Colorado and Green Rivers, golfing, fishing, skiing, and snowboarding, and exploring mountain bike and hiking trails through the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa National Forest. Grand Junction has a robust downtown and hosts multiple arts, music, food, and market events annually. With a population of over 150,000 in Mesa County (65,000 within the City limits), we have many of the big town amenities without the big town stresses such as traffic and trail congestion. With an average of 245 days of sunshine, Grand Junction is the perfect place to work and play.
Learn more about our area on Visit Grand Junction's website and Instagram!
At the City of Grand Junction, we proudly operate as an Equal Opportunity Employer, purposely building an inclusive workforce representative of various cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We believe in respect for all and do not discriminate based on hair, race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
If you have any questions or need assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources office at 970.244.1512.
Salary : $8,398 - $9,452
