Strategic Communications Coordinator

City of Bloomington, MN; BLOOMINGTON (MN); On-site; USD 91,000 - 98,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid holidays and leave

Job summary

City of Bloomington, MN is seeking a communications professional to create and manage public information efforts, develop PR and marketing plans, and assist with media relations for the City. The role includes evaluating communications, gathering data, and coordinating newsletters and social media content.

The candidate will support internal and external audiences, work under the Communications Manager, and contribute to the City’s emergency communications during crises.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, marketing, or closely related field.
• Three to five years of experience in communications-related field.
• Demonstrated experience in public relations and media relations.
• Proficiency with communications technologies, print materials, social media, and digital content.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated production management skills and creativity.

Responsibilities

• Creates, coordinates, and evaluates internal and external communications and marketing for print, online and video.
• Assists with media outreach strategies and maintains a current list of reporters.
• Develops and implements communications and marketing plans for City projects.
• Sets up surveys, website analytics and other tools to inform communications strategies and measure reach.
• Supports emergency communications for crisis situations.
• Writes and coordinates the City’s monthly residents’ newsletter and weekly staff newsletter.
• Coordinates social media content and copy for City sites.
• Photographs and compiles digital images for publications and print materials.

Skills

Effective communication

Media relations

Public relations

Writing and editing

Collaboration

Production management

Story pitching

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications

Bachelor's degree in journalism

Master's degree in communications

Tools

Social media platforms

Digital content tools

Job description

Primary Objective

The City of Bloomington is seeking an individual to create and manage a variety of communications that provide information to the public and develop public relations, communications and marketing plans that include communication strategies and tactics for both internal and external audiences to advance organizational goals and priorities. This position will also assist with media relations for the City.

CITY VALUES & EXPECTATIONS

• Models and contributes to a positive work environment, culture of communication, engagement and safety
• Communicates effectively and respectfully with employees and the general public, including but not limited to those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Works cooperatively as a member of a team; develops and maintains effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions
• Embraces the City’s shared values and contributes towards accomplishing the City’s vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly

Examples of Duties

• Creates, coordinates, and evaluates internal and external communications and marketing for print, online and video.
• Assists with media outreach strategies, maintaining a current list of reporters and engaging in regular contact to pitch story ideas.
• Develops and implements communications and marketing plans for a variety of City projects.
• Assists with setting up quantitative and qualitative research tools (such as surveys, questionnaires, and website analytics) to gather data to inform communications strategies. Monitors and measures the results to demonstrate the reach of communications and adjust tactics as needed.
• Assists the City’s emergency management team to provide communication to the public in crisis situations.
• Writes, edits, and coordinates the City's monthly newsletter for residents and weekly internal newsletter for staff .
• Coordinates social media content and produces copy for the City's social media sites.
• Photographs and compiles digital images for publications, websites and social media and print materials.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Communications Manager.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required

• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with the public, employees, and others in an effective, tactful, and courteous manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, professional working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
• Ability to work independently to complete tasks and responsibilities in accordance with established practices and procedures, with little or no supervision.
• Ability to exercise production creativity while demonstrating strong organizational skills, a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English, marketing, public relations, or closely related field.
• Three to five years of experience in communications-related field.
• Demonstrated experience in public relations and media relations.
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency with communications technologies, print materials, all social media platforms, and digital content.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated production management skills and creativity.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, English or closely related degree.
• Professional certification in communications, journalism, marketing or public relations.
• Experience in providing or managing communications for a municipality or other government sector organization.

Supplemental Information

Supervision Of Others

Position does not supervise others.

Anticipated Hiring Range

$90,796 – $98,205 Annually

2026 Full Salary Range: $90,796 – $124,260 Annually

Full-Time; Exempt; Non-Union; Benefits Eligible

The City of Bloomington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applicants who are black, indigenous or persons of color are encouraged to apply. We also encourage women, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA community, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

Benefits

• 10 days paid vacation per year
• 13 days paid personal leave per year
• 13 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks paid parental leave
• Employee health and dental insurance
• Paid employee life insurance
• Paid employee disability insurance
• Employer/employee paid pension
• Deferred compensation
• Tuition assistance program
• Health club membership reimbursement
• Flexible spending account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Other optional benefits
• Great suburban location, on bus line
• Free employee parking
• (Union contracts may vary from the above list.)