Communications Specialist

At the City of Plano, our values make us who we are and guide us as we SERVE our city. As members of Team Plano, our organizational Values (what is most important to us) make up the acronym, SERVE (Stewardship Engaged Respectful Visionary Excellence).

Job Details

Are you a communications professional with one to three years of experience, looking to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic and collaborative environment? Join the City of Plano, where our award-winning team is committed to serving our community and our organization through intentional and engaging communication.

The Communications and Community Outreach department thrives on collaboration, creativity, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment. We’re looking for someone who’s ready to roll up their sleeves and contribute to our goal of keeping residents informed, connected, and engaged.

As a Communications Specialist, you’ll work directly with internal departments and subject matter experts to develop and execute communications strategies that align with the city’s mission and goals. You’ll craft accurate and engaging content for a variety of channels, including social media, press releases, email campaigns, and print materials.

This role is an exciting opportunity for an early-career professional looking to build skills in storytelling, strategic messaging and outreach while working on impactful projects that serve our community. You’ll do this through:

• Serving as a liaison between Communications and city departments to identify and highlight key initiatives and services.
• Writing, editing and proofing engaging content for a wide range of communication platforms, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
• Assisting in developing and implementing communications plans to support city programs, events, and outreach efforts.
• Coordinating responses to media inquiries and support crisis communication efforts as needed.

The Communications and Community Outreach department serves the community through in-office work and outreach events. To support this level of service, in addition to regular hours all communication specialists will have occasional evening and weekend work shifts.

The hiring range for this position is $57,107 to $65,675.

As a valued Team Plano member, you will receive numerous benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Membership in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), in which the City matches contributions 2:1 upon retirement
• Enrollment in the Retirement Security Plan (RSP) which is fully funded by the City
• Up to three weeks of paid vacation
• Up to three weeks of paid sick leave per year
• Nine paid holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Free recreation center membership

And so much more! Learn about our benefits here.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the journey-level classification in the Communications Specialist series that follows diversified procedures and implements processes to accomplish end results, within guidelines. This class is distinguished from Communications Specialist, Senior in that the latter is a higher-level class in the series that performs more complex technical, investigative, and project management duties requiring a higher level of knowledge and skill. The Communications Specialist role does not supervise other employees.

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Implements communication strategies that support the goals of the department.
• Assists in conceptualizing and producing communications materials including website updates, brochures, and invitations for departmental programs and activities.
• Takes photographs for programs and events and creates short videos to use in a variety of platforms.
• Assists with the planning, organizing, and implementation of events and activities and serves on committees, task forces, and other activities.
• Works with departments to plan and update digital content.
• Collects metrics to create reports, newsletters, and other documents.
• Pursues continuing education for necessary skills and trends in communications.
• Administers City social media profiles, creating educational content, responding to public comments and assisting with crisis communications.
• Assists in acquiring supplies for promotional activities that help communicate key City messages.
• Works within established project budgets, tracking relevant metrics for reporting.
• Writes clear, engaging content for city social media, newsletters, website, print materials and other media, with a focus on accurate, accessible, and transparent communication.
• Professionally and positively represents the City at meetings and events.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.

Marginal Duties:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Decisions: The incumbent determines quality standards for communications functions and makes related decisions. The incumbent is responsible for contributing to decisions regarding communications strategies and budgets. The incumbent determines proper specifications and equipment based on requests and needs.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of: Practices and principles of communications, event planning, public relations; digital communications concepts; graphic design and social media skills.

Skill in: Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing; Requires creativity, effective communications skills; using computer software programs including those used for word processing and presentation; writing clearly and concisely; editing and proofreading written materials; organizing and prioritizing work; working cooperatively with others

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or related field.

Experience: Two (2) years of experience in communications, journalism, marketing, or related industry.

Any work-related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

Licenses and Certifications: Texas Class C driver’s license (must obtain within 30 days of hire per state law).

Conditions of Employment: Must pass a drug test, driver license check, criminal history background check, periodic CJIS background check (for positions requiring access into Police buildings) and social security number verification check.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Physical Demands and Working Conditions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equal Opportunity Employer - EOE/M/F/V/D

Open positions are subject to close without notice.