Under the supervision of the City Manager, the Communications and Engagement Manager serves as the Public Information Officer and manages and coordinates all aspects of public communication for the City of Sheridan and the Sheridan Police Department, including but not limited to media and public relations, marketing, internal and external communications, community outreach, and citywide events. Sets the direction and develops the overall strategic vision for City’s communication and engagement activities.

1. Responsible for the City’s internal and external communication programs; develop, coordinate, and execute the citywide strategic communication and community engagement program in collaboration with experts from various departments; serve as the spokesperson for the City as needed and prepare and encourage senior staff and subject matter experts to participate as appropriate in press conferences, media opportunities, and interviews on high profile/sensitive issues. 

2. Develop and implement a comprehensive and strategic communications plan designed to broaden the City’s outreach to residents, visitors, partnering agencies, and current and potential future businesses.

3. Conceptualize and implement community engagement programs to support the strategic communications plan, so that City residents are informed, involved, engaged, and inspired to be active in their community. 

4. Develop web communication strategy and content-flow (sitemap/navigation interface) for content that is sensitive, high-priority, cross-departmental, and/or related to key initiatives.

5. Build relationships and foster partnerships with City residents, various community organizations, City businesses, chamber of commerce, other governmental agencies, neighborhood associations, school districts, special districts, media outlets, and other service agencies to identify needs and provide opportunities for collaboration. 

6. Responsible for the extension and protection of the City’s brand. Ensure brand consistency throughout the organization. 

7. Create analytics, including clear objectives and evaluation measures, to determine the level of success of events and communications strategies or programs. 

8. Develop and evaluate programs and policies for implementation of departmental and City needs and goals. 

9. Assist with management and cultivation of the City’s audience on social media platforms; uphold and assist with the enforcement of the City’s social media standards internally and externally; develop social media content in coordination with the Police Department and other City departments; partner with all City departments in planning and creating communications marketing strategies, as well as advising on brand integrity and consistency. 

10. Responsible for maintaining and updating the City’s website and social media platforms to ensure that all content and links are current, accurate, and relevant; write, edit, and proofread a variety of content to support communications and marketing efforts, including e-newsletters, websites, social media platforms, brochures, and press releases. 

11. Attend various meetings, including City Council meetings when appropriate, and represent the City of Sheridan; prepare and present staff reports at regular meetings and special meetings of City Council, as assigned. 

12. Model teamwork, collaboration, and organizational values in developing and sustaining strong working bonds with City staff and other stakeholders, creating effective working relationships. 

13. Manage and oversee the City’s use of contractors for communication and event activities; coordinate volunteers, support staff, vendors, and others to support promotional events. 

14. Establish appropriate service and contractor staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; and allocate resources accordingly. 

15. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of communication and community engagement.

16. Respond to and resolve citizen inquiries and complaints related to public information or events or direct the compliant to the appropriate department, assisting with the response, as necessary; forward public safety related complaints to the Police Department to be handled by the appropriate commander; provide general customer service (phone calls, emails, and walk-in customers). 

17. Prepare reports, analysis, and recommendations for communication events, as needed.

18. Create and manage release dates for recurring publications such as the e-newsletter and others as identified.

19. Coordinate with on-scene commander or supervisor regarding release of information surrounding public safety emergencies, and other events and activities. 

20. Establish and maintain professional working relationships with other law enforcement and judicial agencies, particularly their PIO counterparts. 

21. Manage and direct the marketing, advertising, and video production work in support of other City departments to promote their services, including the development of marketing concepts and plans, requests for proposal, selection and management of commercial PR/Advertising/Video agencies, and the development of print, radio, TV, Web, and video products. 

22. Recommends expenditures in assigned budget recommendations and monitors expenses and revenues on a regular basis.

OTHER DUTIES Other duties as assigned.

• Exceptional presentation and interpersonal communication skills both oral and written, including the ability to consider and respond to differing viewpoints in a professional manner utilizing negotiation and positive communication methods. 
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of marketing, communication, and event planning.
• Superior time management, attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to meet deadlines all while keeping big-picture goals in mind. 
• Project management skills. 
• Ability to be positive and engaging while maintaining a professional demeanor. 
• Ability to think critically and analytically to target and engage citizens and employees. 
• Outstanding writing, editing, and communication skills. 
• Experience creating targeted content that generates measurable citizen engagement and satisfaction. 
• Solid knowledge of public relation strategies and protocols. 
• Familiarity with website content management systems, including HTML. 
• Advanced social media marketing skills using various digital engagement and social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Nextdoor, and others. 
• Ability to create, execute, and manage an overall strategic communications plan for the City, including all City departments. 
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment, as needed. 
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate diverse activities and take a project through to completion using resources available throughout the organization. 
• Ability to work well under pressure, or within tight deadlines. 
• Familiarity with the Microsoft Office Suite and capable of creating visually compelling presentations. 
• Sound knowledge of online branding, performance metrics, marketing, and advertising techniques. 
• Proven knowledge of best practices in communications and marketing ethics. 
• Proficient public speaking ability and being articulate when presenting is an asset. 
• The ability to build strong relationships and handle sensitive information and situations with tact and diplomacy; ability to maintain confidentiality when working with sensitive and confidential information. 
• Shall carry a department mobile phone to facilitate communication with department members and respond as needed to crises or emergency situations on a 24/7 on-call basis. Responses will occur within 30 minutes.
• Ability to respond to requests for information in a timely and customer service-oriented manner.

Education: Requires a bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Event Management, Journalism, or a closely related field.

Experience: A minimum of three (3) years of experience in communications, marketing, event management and/or related fields that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties as outlined. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Preferred Qualifications Experience with policing/emergency response context, background, or experience in public and community engagement/communication for government or public sector organization and current membership (s) in: Emergency Services PIO’s of Colorado, IACP-PIO Section; and/or National Association of Information Officers (NAIA) organizations.