COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

This position is exempt with an annual salary range of TBD based on experience. This position is part of the Public Employees Union (PEU) collective bargaining agreement reporting to the Leisure Services Director and the Public Information Officer.

In addition, this position offers:

• Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
• 14 Paid Holidays
• City of Lake Worth Medical Benefits that include Life Insurance, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Retirement Plan

SUMMARY:

The Communications Specialist assists the Public Information Officer with the monthly bill mailouts, , managing and developing website content and social media, marketing campaigns and other communications tasks.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Primary contributor to the City’s monthly e-newsletter, Tasks include interviewing, writing, editing, and publishing content using MailChimp, City’s Website, Information Kiosks and Social Media Accounts.
• Developing content for all social media platforms that the City may utilize in the future. Tasks include but are not limited to taking photographs, writing captions, attending and documenting City events, developing and implementing strategies to grow the following of the City’s accounts including the beach and golf course, linking content to the City’s website, communicating with the City’s strategically partnered organizations to find and share content, tracking and analyzing social media statistics.
• Manage website content, including content from the newsletter, events, press releases, breaking news, photographs, new staff information, etc. Upload content as submitted from all departments within the City. Tracking and analyzing website traffic and communicating with the web developer to make changes to the website’s format as needed. Report statistics using quantitative data.
• Tracking the City’s digital reputation, including maintaining an ongoing knowledge of the City’s media hits as well as tracking social media accounts that discuss the City and monitoring the way that people discuss the City and its staff online. In some cases, written reports may be required to track this information.
• Writing and distributing press releases on behalf of various City departments. Referring the press to the appropriate City staff member for additional questions and inquiries.
• Attend City meetings and special events to document for social media and to maintain an ongoing knowledge of the City, its goals and staff.
• Attend in person events with elected officials or on behalf of the City collecting content for public communications and providing support when required.
• Compile information from City departments and strategic alliances for City’s monthly newsletter for forwarding to graphic design team.
• Work in concert with various departments in developing presentations and speeches for elected officials and City Manager.
• Research, draft and produce briefing notes and talking points for elected officials, City Manager and Senior Level Leadership Team.
• Assist the Economic Development/Marketing Director with miscellaneous communications tasks.
• Assist with Sponsorships for special events, including researching, sourcing and marketing with community partners.
• Administrative functions including invoicing and bill processing.
• Must be able to obtain necessary certification to become a member of the Emergency Operation Command for the City.
• Communications Specialist is an in-person position working withing the Leisure Services Department Office.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Strong writer a must. A portfolio of written work may be required to examine the applicant’s writing style and ability.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in Graphic Design software and programs.
• Experience with direct contact email campaigns. Experience utilizing MailChimp preferred.
• Experience with social media management. Working knowledge of social media platforms in an administrative capacity, including scheduling, linking, posting and basic visual editing. The ideal candidate should be an early adapter who regularly uses a variety of social media platforms and understands the voice, content, and strategic goals of government communication.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate with a wide variety of demographics clearly and respectfully.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, Power Point, Excel etc.
• A close attention to detail.
• The ability to think analytically and anticipate the concerns that residents, City staff and the press may have with a given issue and respond accordingly and appropriately.
• The highest level of integrity and discretion. The applicant should possess the ability to keep confidential information and communicate clearly and honestly.