Communications Officer

City of Madison, Alabama; Madison (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable Health/Dental.

RSA Retirement Benefits.

Job summary

City of Madison, Alabama seeks a Public Information/Communications professional to lead proactive information efforts, media relations, and community outreach. You will craft content for news releases, the City website, and social channels, and coordinate branding and communications with city departments.

The role reports to the Director of Operations and Communication and requires strong writing, presentation, and project-management skills, plus the ability to work evenings or weekends as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications or related field.
• 5 years of related experience in communication, marketing, public relations or a related field.
• Any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the above knowledge, skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Creates and disseminates news stories to the media and coordinates communications to residents and the business community.
• Maintains content for City’s website and manages current social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube).
• Creates video content, photo content, and podcasts.
• Assists in the City’s branding and marketing efforts.
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments.
• Prepares press releases and program announcements; arranges press conferences.
• Facilitates story ideas between Mayor, City Council, and city departments.
• Attends special events on behalf of the Mayor’s Office.

Skills

Creative writing

Oral communication

Presentation

Project management

Research and reporting

Social media management

Decision-making

Problem-solving

Time management

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations

Tools

Web content creation tools

Photo/video editing software

Podcast production tools

Job description

• Affordable Individual Health/Dental.
• RSA Retirement Benefits.

This position is responsible for comprehensive, successful public information efforts. The position creates a proactive, energized and strategically-planned network of coordinated outreach activities to foster a positive city image in the community and beyond. General supervision is received from the Director of Operations and Communication.

• Creates and disseminates news stories to the media and coordinates specific communications to residents and the business community.
• Creates and maintains content for City’s website.
• Manages current social media channels (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube and others).
• Creates video content, photo content, and podcasts.
• Assists in the City’s branding and marketing efforts.
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments.
• Serves as secondary point of contact for media and public information during weather events and other emergency events.
• Prepares press releases for Mayor and City Council; prepares program announcements, arranges press conferences, and responds to information requests from local and trade media.
• Facilitates the flow of story ideas between the Mayor, City Council, and city departments.
• Assists other city departments with communication efforts for the public.
• Attends special events on behalf of the Mayor’s Office.

Secondary Functions:

• Performs other related duties as required.

Job Conditions:

• Work in an office and field environment as needed to carry out various job assignments.
• Regular attendance is required, and must be able to work additional hours, nonstandard hours and weekends and at times with little or no notice.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Communications or related field.
• 5 years of related experience in communication, marketing, public relations or a related field.
• Any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the above knowledge, skills and abilities.

Additional Requirements:

• Strong background record required due to accessibility to city property, proprietary information and interaction with the public.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and a strong driving record to drive independently, and record may be periodically checked by the city (for city insurance purposes).

• Knowledge of computer programs utilized by the City in the creation of websites, social media posts, podcasts, photo editing, and video editing.
• Skill in creative writing.
• Skill in decision-making, problem-solving, and project management.
• Skill in oral communication and presentation.
• Skill in the research, preparation, and presentation of accurate and reliable reports and information.
• Ability to effectively use a variety of social media, including social networks and blogs.
• Ability to exercise objective professional judgment.
• Ability to gain and maintain knowledge of City and department policies and procedures, and City ordinances and resolutions.
• Ability to maintain calmness and composure under controversial or intense situations.
• Ability to work as a team and build relationships.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision, including managing time, setting priorities, and determining which tasks can be handled independently versus which require intervention by others, in order to meet deadlines and complete communications and other work in a timely manner.

Physical Capabilities:

• This position’s physical requirements involve light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.
• Much work is performed while typically sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, stooping, walking, bending, or crouching.
• Ability to work on a computer for long periods of time.