Communication Specialist II

Salary Range: $61,500 - $83,100 annually

Hiring Range: $61,500 - $72,300 annually

Job Summary:

This position is an integral member of the Communication & Engagement Department team, working collaboratively with designated leadership to develop, implement and manage high-level strategic communication and engagement plans. The Communication Specialist II will provide direction and context for the communication, promotion, public education, and public engagement aspects of work related, but not limited to, the internal/employee communication needs of various city departments/divisions. This team member will use a range of tactics including marketing and advertising, social media, websites, and community dialogue to ensure the public is well informed about the state of city projects, services, operations, and infrastructure. 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate knowledge of integrated communications strategies, education and outreach strategies, and marketing. They will work well in a collaborative, dynamic, and results-driven environment. The ideal candidate must be comfortable working with many stakeholders and distilling complex information. 

Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree gained through a four-year college/university academic program or specialized technical training of equivalent length in the field of Communication and Engagement or a related field or equivalent years of experience in a related field is required
• At least three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience involving 21st-century communication practices (i.e., marketing, communications, media relations, public engagement, brand management, or related fields.)
• Proficient at organizing content and data, and reporting outcomes.
• Ability to utilize components of project management to successfully schedule, lead and facilitate communication.
• Use AP style and grammar to create and edit professional content.
• Experience assessing, monitoring, and measuring strategic communication initiatives. 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong customer service skills and diplomacy.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred, but not required
• Experience with Office 365 and MailChimp or other e-newsletter platform
• Experience with current social media applications and online platforms for communication and engagement.
• Experience with digital cameras. 
• Ability to monitor and support the online presence of department content on website(s). 
• Ability to update city and city-owned, websites utilizing basic web design skills, accessibility 

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Understand communication, engagement, and public relations industry best practices.
• Be comfortable operating autonomously and exhibit the ability to draw connections between current situations and long-term impact to determine necessary or proactive action.
• Be strategic in connecting big-picture, intersecting messages and capable of communicating sensitive and nuanced concepts.
• Effectively conduct industry research and knowledge-gathering and expand professional expertise to understand the current and future goals of various departments
• “Listen for understanding" and check for clarity to guide relevant communication.
• Be capable of setting strategy while also navigating relationships with different stakeholders across the organization and collaborating with colleagues.
• Be comfortable with face-to-face outreach at public meetings and events.
• Easily adapt to the changing needs and circumstances of communications work
• Be comfortable multi-tasking.
• Contribute to the collaborative experience of information exchange across all city platforms.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Communications and Engagement

• Conceptualize, design, implement, manage, and assess the impact of high-level strategic communication plans that meet the marketing, advertising, public relations, and community engagement goals for multiple city departments/divisions.
• Initiate planning efforts in the development and execution of strategies including coordination of budget, timelines, media purchases, and communication tools to meet the objectives of various departments/divisions.
• Work as a project coordinator to organize and align various components of work between stakeholders, consultants, and partners.
• Align communication and public participation initiatives with the overall City of Greeley mission, goals, values, and brand priorities. 

Copywriting and Editing

• Write and edit news releases, advertising/promotional copy, annual, technical, and program reports, e-newsletters, blog posts, social media content, video scripts, website updates, presentations, and handout materials. 
• Edit/revise written materials created by city officials and staff.

Strategic Operational Support

• Provide direction and context for the communication, promotion, public education, engagement, and public relations aspects of work related to the identified department/divisions
• Work collaboratively with various department staff to support and/or perform face-to-face outreach at special event booths and community forums.
• Create and gather materials for meetings and public events that may include displays and signage.
• Manage project processes including printing needs, ordering promotional items, and collaborating with graphic design and video teams in the production of marketing materials.
• Assist with photography or videography projects related to communication projects as needed.
• Work with the digital team to create messaging to build proactive communications, community outreach, and engagement across social media channels

Media Relations 

• Submit press releases, pitch stories, answer questions, and respond to media inquiries. 
• Work collaboratively with other team members to build and maintain a professional network of reporters and media professionals
• When appropriate, serve as a spokesperson, coordinate and schedule interviews, and generally monitor public sentiment.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

Conditions of Employment: Candidates must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings and employment eligibility verification. Pre-employment screenings include a drug test, a background and national sex offender search, a motor vehicle record search, and for some positions, a physical demands evaluation. For more information about City policies and practices during the recruitment process, including but not limited to EOE, Reasonable Accommodation, and pre-employment screenings, please visit our career page HERE.

Salary : $61,500 - $83,100