Marketing/Communications Specialist I

City of Mesa; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Mesa seeks an entry-level Marketing/Communications Specialist I to develop and implement marketing, PR, and education programs for an assigned department. You’ll serve as an information resource to residents, businesses, and media, and may handle media relations, press releases, articles, and basic design work.

The role involves educating diverse audiences, attending community events, and maintaining department websites in line with City standards.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in PR/communications/marketing/journalism or related field.
• 1–3 years of experience in marketing, PR, communications, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and implement marketing, public relations, and/or education programs for the assigned department or unit.
• Serve as information resource to citizens, businesses, news media, and community groups.
• Handle electronic and print media activities, press releases, and advertising; write articles for publication; and graphic design as needed.
• Maintain department or subdivision website content and web pages per City standards.

Skills

Public relations

Marketing

Communications

Writing

Media relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or closely related field

Tools

HTML

Desktop publishing

Graphic design

Job description

The current vacancy is in Mesa Public Safety Support (MPSS) Department; however, this recruitment will be used to establish a Citywide list to fill possible future vacancies. A Marketing/Communications Specialist I is an entry-level professional classification responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing a marketing, public relations, and/or education program for an assigned department or unit. A Marketing/Communications Specialist I is responsible for serving as an information resource to citizens, business establishments, news media, and community groups regarding an assigned area. Where marketing is the primary function of the position, the duties include handling electronic and print media activities, press releases and advertising; writing articles for publication; and graphic design work. Where public relations are the primary function of the position, the duties include planning, developing, and implementing a variety of information for programs or materials to facilitate communication to employees, citizens, and the general public. Where education is the primary function of the position, the duties include effectively educating a diverse public about program area issues in a positive manner; developing public education programs and materials for a variety of audiences; and attending neighborhood meetings, community events, school groups, church groups, club meetings, etc. A Marketing/Communications Specialist I may also be responsible for maintaining a department or subdivision website. Scope of duties include developing and producing department/unit information using web technology, writing and designing pages for the website to keep it up-to-date, interesting, and interactive; and maintaining the website content to City specifications and design standards. In all situations it is important that the employee exercise a high degree of discretion and courtesy in dealing with the public. Public contact may be stressful at times when it entails confrontational meetings as a result of dissatisfied citizens or business owners. Employees in this class may perform any combination of marketing, public relations, or education duties as assigned. This class performs related duties as required.

A significant element of work involves public contact of a specialized nature, which requires patience, tact, and persuasion in dealing with citizens, news media, representatives, and businesspersons who are affected by City programs or projects. This class is FLSA exempt-administrative.

Employee Values:

All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City’s shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required.

Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or closely related field. Good (1 - 3 years) experience involving marketing, public relations, communications, or a related field.

Special Requirement.

Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License by hire or promotion date. Because of the confidential, sensitive nature of information handled, successful completion of a background investigation will be required (Mesa Public Safety Support Department Assignment).

Substance Abuse Testing.

Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of the assignment, individuals in this classification shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures (Mesa Public Safety Support Department Assignment).

Preferred/Desirable Qualifications.

Experience with desktop publishing, Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), and graphic design is preferred by assignment.