What are the responsibilities and job description for the Administration Specialist, Communications position at City of Port Washington?
Your Home Port. The Premier Community on the Great Lakes.
Port Washington is known for offering “a touch of New England charm combined with Midwestern friendliness” and has been named by Midwest Living to their Top 100 Best Midwest Small Town Getaways. Port Washington, today, is a tourist destination with a vibrant downtown and community events.
The City’s population is 12,855 resides within seven square miles including 4 miles of waterfront. The City provides full-city services including Public Safety (Police, Fire, EMS), Engineering, Public Works, Water and Sewer utilities, Building Inspections, Community Development, Parks and Recreation, Marina, Senior Center, Library, Finance, Clerk and Administration. We are a welcoming destination for living, working, and visiting that – combined with our core values of accountability, innovation, trust, industriousness, and friendship – create an environment with opportunities to make a positive impact for our community.
THE ROLE
The Administrative and Communication Specialist plays a pivotal role in supporting the daily operations of City Hall. This position performs a variety of specialized and administrative functions that contribute to the effective management of City initiatives and projects, with a strong focus on customer service and fostering proactive communication with residents, employees, and the broader community.
- Serve as the first point of contact for residents and visitors by greeting the public at the front counter, answering phone calls, and organizing mail. As needed, provides on-site event or project support, database management, managing software program accounts, reporting and analytics, maintaining marketing materials and stock, and filing.
- Provides assistance to the Communication Coordinator with creating, editing, and publishing social media content, internal and external newsletters, press releases, and various marketing materials. Monitors and address incoming website update requests, ensuring timely and accurate execution to maintain an informative and user-friendly City website.
- Assists with agendas, meeting packets, minutes for Common Council and BCC meetings.
- Archives City records and legal documents to include ordinances, resolutions, agreements, Municipal code, election records, and other documents in accordance with state and local retention polices and statutes.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
What does it take to succeed in this role? We’re looking for a motivated individual with strong project management skills and a willingness to learn. You should also have:
- High school diploma or GED. Associates degree or higher in Communications, Public Administration or similar preferred.
- Two (2) or more years of experience in a business office setting or communications role. Previous experience in public sector / municipal communications preferred.
- Valid Wisconsin driver's license.
- Previous experience with Granicus website host, Constant Contact, Canva Pro, or similar communications/digital marketing platforms preferred.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
The City is committed to building a culture where difference is valued and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We believe that every person brings a unique perspective and lived experience that advances our mission and vision to be the Premier Community on the Great Lakes. We commit to centering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in our community, our workforce, and our decision-making. These are more than just words. They are guiding principles that shine a path forward to foster a culture based on mutual respect and passion for the community we serve.
Staff Land Acknowledgement
The City of Port Washington is located on the homelands of Indigenous Peoples including the Bodwéwadmi (Potawatomi), Omaeqnomenew-ahkew (Menominee), Hoocak (Ho-Chunk), Myaamia, Peoria, and Ochéthi Šakówin. We recognize and respect Indigenous Peoples as the original stewards of these lands and waters we live, work, and reside on. We wish to honor the enduring relationship that exists between Indigenous Peoples and their traditional territories. It is our responsibility to acknowledge legislation and treaties – including the Indian Removal Act of 1830 and the Treaty of Chicago – that were used to remove these tribal nations and the history of dispossession that has allowed for the growth of the City of Port Washington since 1835. May we learn to honor the historical and contemporary presence and power of the people and their belief that we must be caretakers of the lands and waters for the livelihood of future generations.
