Communication Specialist Job at City of Asheville in Asheville

Overview

About our opportunity : The City of Asheville is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Communication Specialist to join the Communication and Public Engagement team. This position is responsible for strategic and inclusive communication and engagement planning, execution of communication programs across multiple platforms, coordinating and responding to daily media inquiries, copywriting, managing dynamic content for social media sites, preparing press releases, and advising department directors and other staff on strategic communications and ways the city can be positively positioned and portrayed through relationships, traditional and social media. Employee must work collaboratively while also exercising initiative, imagination and independent judgment to develop and implement programs. Work requires contact with media representatives, department staff and the general public.

Typical work hours will be Monday-Friday, 8 : 30-5 : 00; must be willing to work occasional evening and weekend hours and serve in the weekend and holiday on-call rotation for the department.

Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Develops and implements communication and engagement plans for department heads and project managers; a comprehensive communications plan to support the mission and objectives of assigned departments; develops communications strategies; reviews internal and external communications to ensure consistent messaging; creates and implements public relations campaigns to support special projects, service changes, and new initiatives; and advises and assists in developing and managing messaging to the community during emergencies and natural disasters.
• Coordinates interaction with news media : receives and responds to media inquiries and questions; writes and distributes releases; coordinates media interviews with City staff; vets interviews; prepares staff for and accompanies staff to interviews; and reviews responses to email interviews for messaging opportunities.
• Produces and publishes content for social media channels and City website : creates, edits and posts videos, photos, and social media posters; prepares, edits and / or publishes press releases, news articles, and blog posts to the City\'s news site.
• Ensures functionality and accessibility of internal and external websites, manages website information to protect the City’s brand and image, ensures compliance with website style guide, troubleshoots problems and recommends solutions, reports analytics.
• Facilitates employee and community engagement as needed.
• Communicates with City Manager, supervisor, department directors, other City employees, the public, the media, outside agencies and organizations, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Processes a variety of documentation associated with department / division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures : receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate various forms, reports, correspondence, communications and engagement plans, brochures, contracts, press releases, and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and / or hardcopy records.
• Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, website, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.
• Additional Functions : Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, public administration / affairs, leadership and community engagement, public relations, or a related field required; supplemented by two years of experience in communication, public administration / affairs, community engagement, media or public relations, journalism, social media marketing, or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required : Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities : Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions; and apply departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position. Bilingual preferred but not required.

Performance Aptitudes

ADA Compliance

Physical Ability : Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and / or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.

Sensory Requirements : Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors : Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

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