Public Information Specialist

City of Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Columbia in Missouri seeks a communications professional to provide credible information to the public and internal teams through traditional and digital media. The role coordinates with city divisions and partners to promote the department’s mission, schedules media efforts, and maintains the department’s website.

The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s degree in communications or related field and 1–3 years in marketing/public relations, with strong writing and verbal skills to respond to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, marketing, PR, or a related field.
• 1 to 3 years of experience in communication, marketing, PR, or related field.
• Knowledge of Missouri Sunshine Law and local government records retention is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide credible, transparent information to external and internal customers via media and marketing strategies.
• Coordinate communication with city divisions, departments, agencies, and private entities.
• Schedule and monitor communication efforts and events; create promotional materials.
• Serve as department liaison to media partners and respond to inquiries promptly.
• Maintain and update the department website to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Assist with meetings and events coordination.

Skills

Press releases

Marketing strategy

Written communication

Verbal communication

Social media

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/marketing/PR

Tools

Graphic design software

Job description

The purpose of this job is to provide credible, transparent, and responsive information to external and internal customers via traditional and non-traditional media and marketing strategies. Utilizes strong partnerships within divisions, city departments, government agencies, and private entities. Facilitates and implements communications within the department and community, and works to increase awareness, use, and understanding of the assigned department through marketing, advertising, and public relations strategies. – Coordinates communication and marketing efforts by accurately communicating with the public, internal teams, and media about the department’s mission and activities. Schedules and monitors communication efforts. – Utilizes a variety of media to reach appropriate audiences. – Creates promotional materials and collaborates with others to develop marketing content. – Serves as department liaison to the city’s media partners, handling inquiries in a timely and efficient manner. – Communicates accurately and appropriately with the public and responds to citizen inquiries via email, phone, or social media. – May serve as records custodian for the department and ensure compliance with local government records retention schedules and the State of Missouri’s Sunshine Law. – Maintains and updates the department’s website and ensures information is accurate and up to date. – Schedules and assists with meetings and events.

Knowledge of:

• – Social media.
• – Graphic design software applications.
• – State of Missouri’s local government records retention schedules and Sunshine Law.

Skill in:

• – Writing press releases.
• – Applying marketing strategies.
• – Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, to meet the needs of the audience.

Education and Experience

• – Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field
• – 1 to 3 years’ experience in communication, marketing, public relations, or a related field

Licenses or Certifications

• – Valid driver’s license or reliable transportation to travel to events, meetings, etc.