Communications Officer

City of Sioux Falls; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Sioux Falls is seeking a Communications Officer to lead the development and execution of the City’s internal and external communications strategy, promoting transparency, public trust, and community engagement. You will oversee branding, media relations, digital communications, and public information initiatives while coordinating with city leaders on priorities.

The role also covers crisis communications, policy development, and the management of internal workflows, staff development,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communication, business, or public administration.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ responsible experience in management and leadership in employee engagement, communications, or government affairs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee organizational branding, public information campaigns, digital communications strategy, media relations, and creative services to ensure consistent and effective messaging across all platforms.
• Work with City leaders to determine key communication priorities and develop plans for major City projects, initiatives, programs, policy changes, and events.
• Manage development of communications campaigns to support organizational objectives and inform residents and employees.
• Lead development of internal policies and procedures to improve team collaboration and communications, ensuring accessibility and currency.
• Lead development of customer service standards for the Communications team and improve workflows, evaluating and implementing technology as needed.
• Facilitate professional development for the Communications team, budgeting for learning and coordinating training opportunities.
• Lead crisis communication efforts during multi-agency emergencies and serve as the City’s Public Information Officer when the EOC is activated.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols and readiness plans, including preparedness exercises.

Education

Bachelor's degree in communication, business, or public administration

Job description

Communications Officer in City of Sioux Falls, SD

City of Sioux Falls

Location

City of Sioux Falls, SD

Midmanagement

Job Number

202600179

Division

Communications

11/02/2026

Closing Date

11/13/2026 at 5:00 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Lead the development and execution of the City’s internal and external communications strategy to promote transparency, strengthen public trust, enhance community engagement, and support organizational priorities. Responsible for overseeing strategic communications, emergency and crisis communications, media relations, digital communications, community engagement, branding, creative services, and public information initiatives.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee organizational branding, public information campaigns, digital communications strategy, media relations, and creative services to ensure consistent and effective messaging across all platforms.
• Work closely with City leaders to determine key organizational communication priorities and objectives. Lead the strategy and development of communication plans for major City projects, initiatives, programs, policy changes, and special events.
• Manage development of communications campaigns to support organizational objectives, and communicate to residents and employees.
• In collaboration with Communications leaders, support the development of shared internal policies and procedures to improve how the team collaborates and communicates. Ensure policies and procedures are easy-to-find, up-to-date, and regularly reviewed.
• Lead development of customer service standards for Communications team. Improve efficiency and effectiveness of Communications’ shared workflows, including evaluating and implementing technology as needed.
• Facilitate professional development for the Communications team by managing the learning and development budget, coordinating training opportunities, developing team onboarding resources, and planning workshops.
• Facilitate and support implementation of strategic planning for Communications, including communication and reporting to the broader team.
• Lead communication efforts during multi-agency response emergency situations, and serve as the City’s designated Public Information Officer when an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to provide timely and accurate information during crises or public emergencies.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols and readiness plans, including support of preparedness exercises.
• Oversee all communication channels, including but not limited to, websites, social media, CityLink and One Team Portal.
• Develop and lead the city’s community engagement strategy and partner with other city departments. Lead in the creation and management of community-engagement platforms.
• Partner with Information Technology division to identify and implement communication technologies, digital engagement tools, and emerging solutions that improve operational effectiveness and citizen engagement.
• Supervise employees and make recommendations relative to hiring, discharge, layoffs, suspensions, disciplinary actions, adjustment of grievances, and participate in performance evaluations of employees under his/her jurisdiction.
• Perform other such duties and functions as assigned or as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in communication, business, or public administration with a minimum of five (5) years’ responsible experience in management and leadership in employee engagement, communications, or government affairs; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Must be willing to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.

Supplemental Information

Ability and prior experience in leading teams to manage multiple projects while providing them guidance, looking after professional development needs, and inspiring teams to do their best work.

Ability to effectively act on personnel-related matters and implement personnel policies.

Ability to maintain the quality of work and the confidentiality and integrity of the Communications team.

Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain effective working relationships with and integrate the concerns, needs, and desires of the general public, public officials, community leaders, organizations, and City employees.

Ability to analyze a variety of administrative problems and make sounds policy and procedural recommendations in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and policies.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public management and administration.

Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and judgmental skills in the analysis of data, policies, practices, and operational issues.

Ability to work independently, think strategically, multitask, and conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines utilizing strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.

Ability to meet and work effectively with City leadership, elected officials, and City employees, and to proactively and effectively resolve conflicts utilizing strong interpersonal and communication skills; and to develop and maintain strong relationships.

Knowledge of research, analysis techniques, procedures, and related reporting methods.