Media Officer

Position: Media Officer

Department: Town Administration

Status: Full-Time, Salaried Position

Salary: $45,000/Yearly

GENERAL PURPOSE: This position is responsible for administering the communications and messaging of the Town of Merrillville and its executive departments, working in concert with those that have an existing Media Officer. This position will work with leadership to manage and update the content presentation. The Media Officer shall be responsible for communicating to the public in the form of press releases and on websites and social media. The Media Officer will develop and implement a message and media plan upon approval by the Town Manager and elected leadership. The Media Officer is under the direct supervision of the Town Manager.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing, Journalism, Mass Communication and Media Studies, or Marketing.

• 3 to 4 years of experience in a similar role.

• Ability to conceive fresh and appealing ideas for new content that establishes or supports the municipality’s brand identity.

• Expertise in using SEO best practices to write creative copy that includes effective keyword placement.

• Excellent verbal communication skills with a good command of the English language.

• Extremely computer literate, focusing on writing, interpreting, and editing HTML scripts.

• Photography and Video Capture knowledge and experience.

• Website management experience.

• Experience in the proper formatting and preparation of press releases.

• Experience with social media engagement, strategies, and best practices.

• Strong skills in creating original content that targets a specific audience and meets the Town’s objectives.

• Basic technical knowledge of MS Office and WordPress.

• Knowledge of the entire Adobe Creative Cloud.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: The Town of Merrillville prides itself on being able to provide a variety of extra benefits to its employees.

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance plan – effective day one;

• Employer-paid life insurance policy, as well as short-term and long-term disability;

• Vacation, sick, and personal paid time off;

• Fifteen paid holidays;

• Longevity pay after 5 years of service;

• AFLAC;

• 457 Plan (Deferred Compensation) including a Roth option;

• Participates in the State of Indiana PERF program, which provides for a hybrid annuity and defined benefit pension.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Become familiar with each Town department’s brand ideals and website to create content that supports their objectives and desired identity.

• Oversee content creation and the management of targeted content for the Town’s websites and Facebook pages.

• Develop a web content strategy that encompasses the goals of the Town Council and aligns with the Town’s image.

• Coordinate with all Department Heads to create web content and monitor it’s effectiveness over time.

• Develop and maintain a content marketing calendar that schedules all aspects of the delivery of content throughout the year.

• Develop and display outdoor digital sign messaging at Town Hall and the Dean and Barbara White Community Center.

• Use target keywords to write search-engine copy that is optimized for search engines (SEO) while remaining entertaining and informative.

• Stay abreast of current best practices in the industry and review competitor websites to compare their activities with those of the Town.

• Develop content for Magicinfo display monitors at Town Hall and the Dean and Barbara White Community Center.

• Assist with the development and design of Town letterhead and email signatures as well as other graphic design ideas like town welcome signage, new interstate messaging, and town-owned vehicle graphics.

• Respond to untrue material online.

• Responsible for being the press contact on behalf of the Town, including sending regular press releases regarding matters of public importance.

• Coordinate online videos with Department Heads.

• Execute an affirmative recurrent online presence by including brief video presentations by Department Heads and Elected Officials. This will include online real time forms, such as Facebook Live.

• Assist in the recruitment, coordination, assignment, and supervision of Town interns by inquiring with Department Heads as to their specific needs.

• Contact the proper departments of local colleges to notify them of the Town’s need for interns.

• Assist as support staff in the Town Administration Office.

• Other duties may be assigned by the Town Council and the Town Manager.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to pass a background check and a drug screening.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk, and listen. The employee is frequently required to walk, use hands to handle objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms.

· Must occasionally lift and/or move up to ten (10) pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

· Indoor and outdoor work environment.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Holidays
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000