Communications Administrator – Public Affairs

Job Description

The Communications Administrator – Public Affairs plays a vital role within the City of Raleigh’s Communications Department, serving as a key contributor to the Public Affairs team. This position is primarily responsible for managing the full lifecycle of public records requests—from intake to fulfillment—ensuring timely, transparent, and legally compliant responses.

In addition to overseeing public records management, the role serves in a swing position for communications, doing strategic writing and storytelling as needed across multiple platforms, including news articles, feature stories, social media, and communications plans. The ideal candidate is a skilled and adaptable writer with a strong understanding of public sector communications and an ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

As this is a communications position, a cover letter is required with your application. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered.

Duties and Responsibilities

Public Records Management & Coordination (60%):

• Serves as project manager for the City's public records request process, coordinating efforts across departments to ensure efficient and policy-compliant fulfillment
• Collaborates closely with the City Attorney’s Office to review and release records
• Works with department leaders to develop, monitor, and report key performance metrics for public records processing
• Partners with the Information Technology Department as needed to assess and implement software tools that improve request management workflows
• Provides support to both the public and City staff in submitting, tracking, and understanding records requests
• Offers excellent customer service throughout the public records process, ensuring transparency and professionalism
• Identifies and escalates sensitive or complex requests to the appropriate parties for review and resolution
• Delegates requests to records staff or other departments, conducting searches and offering guidance on retrieval and compliance procedures
• Develops and delivers training for City staff on public records laws, policies, and best practices

• Writes, edits, and produces high-quality communications, including press releases, feature stories, website content, social media copy, and communication plans
• Demonstrate strong editorial judgment and attention to detail under tight deadlines
• Applies knowledge of journalistic, publication, and communication best practices to effectively reach diverse audience
• Collaborates with colleagues across departments to ensure consistent messaging and accurate representation of City initiatives
• Reviews and enhances materials created by other staff, providing constructive feedback and ensuring clarity, tone, and adherence to brand and style guidelines

• Manages staff assigned to the public records response process, currently overseeing (two part-time positions)

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in public relations, journalism, communications, public policy, or a related field and five years of experience in government or an agency subject to public records laws, with experience in communications, policy, legal compliance, or a related field. Work includes two years of supervisory experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Additional Information

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Project management, with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
  • Writing compelling stories; experience turning dense topics into something easy to understand by the general public is a plus
• Working independently while effectively influencing and coordinating with colleagues across departments
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn the structure and functions of local government