Communications Specialist

Hudson EMS; Hudson (OH); On-site; USD 49,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Hudson is seeking a Communications Specialist to support the Communications Manager and city departments with public relations, marketing and administration. The role involves preparing letters, newsletters, press releases and digital content, while coordinating records requests and ensuring compliance with Ohio Sunshine laws.

The position requires strong writing, editing, and design skills, familiarity with CMS and Canva/Adobe tools, and the ability to work with senior officials and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications or related study preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of website content management systems and various social media platforms.
• Ability to handle confidential information and work with minimal supervision.
• Preferred knowledge of Ohio Sunshine laws and record retention practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop external and internal communications strategies.
• Plan and manage department’s communications publication schedules.
• Write and edit letters, newsletters, press releases, and scripts.
• Manage website content and social media campaigns.
• Coordinate press conferences, media campaigns and crisis communications.
• Handle public records requests, with redaction as required and review by City Solicitor.
• Prepare reports, minutes and correspondence with accurate grammar and formatting.
• Provide back-up administrative support and assist with events.

Skills

Public relations

Communications writing

Editing

Social media management

Graphic design basics

Website content management

Public records handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations or communications

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Canva

Job description

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Communications Specialist Current Salary Range (F): $23.54 - $36.55/hour (depending upon qualifications)

Following is a brief overview of the position. Please review the entire job description (attached) for a complete listing of the essential duties, responsibilities, physical demands and working environment, minimum qualifications, and other requirements of this position. Class Summary

CLASS SUMMARY

Performs communications, public relations, marketing and administrative support work in serving the Communications Manager, senior officials and major departments or City-wide functions. Work involves performing a full range of complex communications and administrative support duties requiring discretion, confidentiality, judgment, and tact. Responsible for the communications operation of City departments, requiring frequent contact with the public and senior officials of the City. Serves as the primary point of contact for public records requests. The position will be an essential member of the Communications Department responsible for developing and implementing internal and external communications and marketing for City Council, the City Manager and City departments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Works with the Communications Manager to develop and implement external and internal communications strategies. Plans and manages department’s communications publication schedules. Writes and edits various communications (i.e. letters, correspondence, publications, newsletters, press releases, advertisements, speeches, announcements, articles, and video scripts). Manages website and public engagement site content and updates, ensuring consistent, dynamic and fresh content including posting stories, announcements, and emergency alerts. Writes, designs and edits electronic newsletters and social media campaigns and coordinates social media communications and responses. Writes, designs and edits printed newsletters, flyers and marketing materials. Writes, designs and edits presentation materials, PowerPoint and Canva presentations. Works with the Communications Manager to respond to requests from the media, write press releases, coordinate press conferences, media campaigns and crisis communications. Manage the intake, review, and fulfillment of public records requests, including the identification and redaction of exempt information. This position coordinates directly with the Communications Manager and the City Solicitor to ensure strict compliance with Ohio Sunshine Laws. All redacted documents and legally sensitive disclosures are reviewed by the City Solicitor prior to release to uphold statutory compliance. May assist in coordinating, scheduling, and monitoring special events. Coordinates the development and implementation of marketing promotions, videos and other materials for special marketing projects. Performs a variety of administrative tasks in relieving the Communications Manager of important administrative details; conducts responsible research and gathers information for meetings and reports; transmits orders and instructions for the department manager as directed; interprets administrative policies and procedures. Prepares letters, statements, reports, memoranda, minutes, and a variety of correspondence from dictation, notes or rough draft; composes correspondence without instruction or review, based on knowledge of departmental operations, policies and procedures; assures the accuracy of outgoing materials; edits for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style and format and makes corrections as Receives telephone calls and department visitors; determines the nature of calls and the purpose of visits; provides information within areas of discretion and authority or directions to appropriate staff or office; answers inquiries or forwards calls and takes messages; provides general assistance and back-up support to other office staff. Establishes and maintains physical and digital files and records; ensures confidentiality of files and records and uses discretion in controlling access to and release of information. Ensures all documentation is accurate, organized, and readily accessible for annual audits and adherence to public records laws. May receive and review correspondence coming into the office and identify important correspondence that needs immediate attention routing to the appropriate staff for action or response. May assist in monitoring budget expenditures. May order office supplies and copy paper and maintain records for the purchases.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Work involves sitting for long periods of time, standing, bending, walking, climbing stairs, lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds, using hands and fingers to operate computers and other office equipment. Work involves exposure to normal everyday risks typical of offices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications or related study preferred. Work requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, and considerable responsible experience in communications and public relations work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills: Excellent written and verbal communications skills. Work should require only minimal editing. Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines. Excellent graphic design skills requiring minimal editing. Knowledge of website content management systems and various social media platforms, including the ability to write, edit, and distribute information on these sites. Ability to ensure confidentiality of privileged information, files and records, using discretion in controlling access to and release of information. Ability to work under minimal supervision. Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with citizens, staff, high‑level business executives, City officials, and the media. Knowledge of computer operations, word processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing (Adobe Cloud, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Canva) and database software; and in the preparation and maintenance of automated records and files. Knowledge of department operations and organization structure, and administrative policies and procedures. Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn policies, procedures and equipment of the Communications Department, the organization and mission and staff of the various Hudson departments. Ability to compose letters and other correspondence on a variety of administrative matters, and to prepare and maintain administrative and fiscal records. Preferred knowledge of social media scheduling, analytics and reporting. Preferred knowledge of photography, videography and editing software. Preferred knowledge of Ohio Sunshine laws and record retention practices.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATE, OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Valid Ohio driver’s license insurable under City policy.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Hudson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity for all employees and applicants. The City of Hudson does not discriminate in employment or the provision of services on the basis of race, color, national origin and ancestry, gender (sex), religion, age, disability, sex (wages), military status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by Federal or State law.

Date Posted

08/24/2026