Communications and Public Information Manager

Description

Under Administration direction, plans and implements the communication programs and practices to address City and community priorities for all City departments. Develops, designs, and produces digital, print, and video communications. Handles media inquiries, creates press releases, and assumes other divisional responsibilities, including attendance at City Council meetings. Creates, monitors, and approves content for the website.

Examples of Duties

MAJOR DUTIES

• Assists the City Manager and Assistant City Manager in providing effective communications to the public and key stakeholder groups regarding City Council actions and policy initiatives. Develops communication plans and communication channels to promote the City’s policies and programs.

• Responsible for media relations, public relations, marketing/promotions, emergency communications, social media, and reprographics operations. Assists with public safety communications in emergencies and as requested.

• Creates news content and designs for City print, video, and digital communications, including city website, social media platforms, public service announcements, fact sheets, utility bill inserts, brochures, fliers, and bi-monthly newsletter. Writes, edits, and proofs articles, press releases, and video scripts. Ensures brand consistency and reputational awareness throughout the organization in all the external and internal messaging.

• Responds to questions received by phone, email, and social media from City residents and businesses.

• Advises on major issues and projects having political significance or high sensitivity in the community.

• As requested by the City Manager, provide the Mayor and City Council with media relations training, and communications best practices. Advise on intergovernmental relations and communications efforts and processes.

• Creates original speeches and talking points for the Mayor and members of the City Council as requested and at the direction of the City Manager.

• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with other cities, counties, and governmental agencies.

• Monitors and increases effectiveness of City’s social media efforts citywide. Meets with social media team, reviews and monitors methods for measuring effectiveness, and manages content as needed.

• Plans and manages special events and projects; attends meetings and events to provide on-site assistance as needed. Collaborates with other departments to coordinate promotions and events to increase community reach.

Responsible for the City’s website content and appearance; generates new content, innovations, design, and navigation. Ensures accessibility compliance issues are dealt with effectively and timely.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and goals of the city.

• Knowledge of marketing, advertising, and communication principles and strategies.

• Knowledge of the general operations of municipal government.

• Knowledge and experience with visual and print communication principles.

• Knowledge of social media strategies and best practices for social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X, NextDoor, LinkedIn.

• Knowledge of social networking and social analytics tools.

• Knowledge of the basics of web design and maintenance.

• Knowledge of correct use of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax.

• Knowledge of media operations, story content, and coverage.

• Knowledge of design standards for digital and print publications.

• Knowledge of digital production using Adobe InDesign.

• Knowledge of AP style and press release writing conventions.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of video production.

• Knowledge of pre-press and printing industry standards.

• Skill in writing, editing, proofing, designing, and laying out information for digital and print publications.

• Skill in planning, developing, recommending, coordinating, and organizing marketing efforts with other City departments.

• Skill in photography.

• Skill in video equipment setup.

• Skill in video production, editing, scripting, and presenting communications.

• Skill in understanding new technology and ability to learn new hardware and software quickly as needed.

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion and make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.

• Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.

• Ability to perform project management and possession of organizational skills.

• Ability to assist with special events and projects.

• Ability to assist with government access cable television productions.

• Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software including word processing, presentation, database management, spreadsheet applications, and electronic mail.

• Ability to work and coordinate with outside vendors for print and online City project requests.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, management, elected officials, local media, community members, and the public.

• The purpose of this position is to coordinate the City’s public information functions. Successful performance contributes to the successful image and delivery of messaging and information to the public.

• The work consists of varied communication, marketing, and public information duties. The necessity of coordinating work with a variety of stakeholders contributes to the complexity of the position.

• Contacts are typically with coworkers, elected and appointed officials, members of the news media, business leaders, tourists, attorneys, and members of the public.

• Contacts are typically to exchange information; engage, influence, and persuade individuals; resolve problems; and provide services.

• While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is required to talk, hear, finger, and make repetitive motions. This position is mostly sedentary work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to reach, lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, stand, and climb a ladder. The employee is required to have close visual acuity.

• The employee is subject to both inside and outside conditions.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field from an accredited college or university.

• Five years of related experience, including written communications, copy editing and creating, and administering content on social media.

• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Florida for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

• Media relations experience is highly desirable.

• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

PTO Leave: Leave begins accruing immediately. The schedule varies slighter for Fire Fighters.

Years Of Service Completed Annual Leave Cap Available
less than 5 years: 152 hours
5 to 9 years: 176 hours
10 to 14 years: 200 hours
15 to 19 years: 224 hours
20 years: 248 hours

PTO begins accruing immediately. At the end of the year, any unused annual leave will roll over to the next year. Time will be accrued bi-weekly and shown on each paycheck.

RETIREMENT: General employees are fully vested after 10 years of employment. Employees can become partially vested at five (5) years of service. Partial vesting at five (5) years is 50%, six (6) years 60%, seven (7) years 70%, eight (8) years 80%, and nine (9) years 90%. General Employees are eligible for normal retirement upon the earlier of reaching age 55 and the completion of 10 years of credited service or reaching age 50 and the completion of 20 years of credited service. The amount of normal retirement benefit is based on your credited service and average final compensation. See General Employees’ Pension Plan Summary for more details.

HOLIDAYS: Employees receive 14 holidays per year. The holidays are:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Presidents' Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• July 4th
• Labor Day
• Veterans' Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday After Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year's Eve
• Employee's Birthday

• Rough estimates are not necessarily exact.