Senior Public Information and Communications Specialist

City of Mesa; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Mesa seeks a Senior Public Information and Communications Specialist to develop and implement citywide public relations, marketing, and education strategies on behalf of the Mayor, Council, or City Manager’s Office.

The role involves handling media requests, writing press materials, and managing online content; you will lead high-profile projects and may supervise a team. Requires a bachelor’s degree and 5+ years in public information/PR.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or closely related field.
• 5+ years of full-time experience involving public information, public relations, media relations, marketing, or communications.
• Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License by hire date.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and implement citywide public relations, marketing, and education strategies.
• Serve as an expert information resource to media, officials, executives, citizens, and businesses.
• Handle electronic and print media requests, press releases, op-eds, blogs, and social media messages.
• Market City programs and services through meetings with community and business representatives.
• Oversee planning, development, and distribution of information/materials; maintain department websites and social platforms.

Education

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

Job description

The current vacancy is in the Public Information and Communications Assignment; however, this recruitment will be used to establish a Citywide list to fill possible future vacancies.

A Senior Public Information and Communications Specialist is an advanced-level professional that is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing a public relations, marketing, and/or education strategy that has Citywide impact on behalf of the Mayor, Council, or City executive management.

Duties include: serving as an expert information resource to a variety of people such as: news media, elected officials, executive management, citizens, community groups, and businesses regarding an assigned area. Functions of this classification may include, but are not limited to, public relations, media relations, video production, education, graphic design, and marketing. Specific job duties may include: handling electronic and print media requests, press release distribution, and advertising placement; writing press releases, op-eds, blog posts, and social media messages; meeting with interested parties to market City programs and services; overseeing the planning, development, and distribution of information or materials for programs or for use by employees and the general public; drafting messaging for public education programs and materials for a variety of audiences; and attending neighborhood meetings, community events, school groups, church groups, club meetings, etc. Duties may also include: responsibility for maintaining the department/division website and/or social media platforms. Developing and producing 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. Certain positions may have lead responsibilities for a project or team. Responsibilities may also include supervision of clerical or paraprofessional classes. Employees in this class may perform any combination of public relations, media relations, education, and marketing duties as assigned. This class performs related duties as required.

The Senior Public Information and Communications Specialist class is distinguished from the Public Information and Communications Specialist II class by the more advanced and complex nature of assignments; the involvement in high-level projects for the Mayor, City Council, and City Manager’s Office; and the independent judgment and decision making exercised. Incumbents in this class may be asked for input to policy development/revision activities and are expected to explain/interpret policy to their coworkers as well as lead by example. 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. Supervision is received from the Communications Director, Deputy Communications Director – Broadcast & Multimedia, or Chief of Staff who evaluates work through conferences, meetings, written reports, and overall results achieved.

This class is FLSA exempt-administrative.

Please refer to the link below for the full job description and additional information regarding assignments, preferred qualifications, and essential functions.

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. Extensive (5+ years) full-time experience involving public information, public relations, media relations, marketing, communications, or field related to the program area.

Special Requirement

Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver’s License by hire or promotion date.

https://apps.mesaaz.gov/JobDescriptions/Documents/JobDescriptions/cs5312.pdf