What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Engagement Strategist position at Town of Mount Pleasant?
Job Title: Community Engagement Strategist
Department: General Government
Pay Grade: 215
FLSA Status: Exempt
JOB SUMMARY
The Community Engagement Strategist, under the direction of the Communications and Public Information Officer, is responsible for fostering both internal and external communication initiatives that elevate the Town's community engagement, enhance staff relations, and promote cross-departmental knowledge sharing. This role is pivotal in developing and implementing communication strategies that tell the stories of the Town, support employee relations, and connect with citizens. The strategist manages the Town’s citizen engagement social media account, crafting professional and engaging content, including video, to highlight Town projects and initiatives. Additionally, this position serves as a media liaison, coordinating with local news outlets to not only to respond to inquiries but also stay ahead of stories to build community awareness and share information about Town activities and accomplishments.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Develops and executes the Town Government Outreach Program;
Collaborates with departments to develop successful communication strategies for storytelling and promoting positive, innovative stories for the Town;
Organizes and drafts content for Town-wide communications initiatives;
Maintains a deep understanding of departments and their initiatives in order to relay accurate information to the public;
Develops a deep understanding of Town-wide initiatives, Capital Improvement Projects, and guiding documents, including the strategic plan, comprehensive plan, and budget to provide accurate updates and information on the Town website to deliver to the public;
Engages with the community and community partners to facilitate conversation and understanding of municipal initiatives;
Assists in coordinating public meeting needs;
Assists in coordinating events such as ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, and dedications;
Monitors and responds to incoming communication through social media and Town websites;
Assists with data entry and analysis of metrics from all departments to be used for annual reports or related media;
Engages with Town staff to promote interdepartmental knowledge sharing and build strong employee relations;
Manages the Town’s citizen engagement social media account, creating and curating content that effectively tells the Town’s stories and fosters community dialogue;
Coordinates internal communications efforts to ensure staff are well-informed about key projects and initiatives;
Serves as the media liaison, coordinating with local news media to respond to inquiries and share information about Town initiatives;
Participates in the Communications Work Team; and
Performs other related assigned duties.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:
Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Graphic Art, Multi-Media or Public Relations, or related field with three (3) years of related work experience.
Or equivalent combination of education and experience; and
Valid South Carolina Driver’s License.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Experience in crisis and emergency communications;
Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Microsoft Office as well as proven experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, Light room, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.);
Strong photography and videography skills, including production and editing;
Experience with social media platforms, particularly Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube;
Proven knowledge of multimedia operations;
Knowledge of audio-visual equipment;
Knowledge of website principles, design, and graphic applications;
Strong organizational skills;
Skill in the use of personal computers and presentation software;
Skill in the use of designing for website and graphic applications;
Proven experience in journalistic style writing;
Strong public speaking skills;
Proven ability to work in a fast-moving environment on multiple projects simultaneously with attention to detail, flexibility to respond to shifting priorities, and to work efficiently under the pressure of deadlines; and
Ability to develop effective working relationships within the organization and the public.
