Job Details

Employment Opportunity

Under the general supervision of the Director of Community Relations, this individual is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, and administering communication, public relations, marketing, and educational plans and programs for the City. As a member of the Community Relations Department, this individual is part of a creative team that informs, engages, and promotes to the City's various audiences. This team develops, coordinates, implements, and administers communication, public relations, marketing, and information/engagement plans and programs for the City.

The position is responsible for working with colleagues in various departments to produce, edit, and administer content across digital, print, visual, and written media, including (but not limited to) web content, social media content, videos, photography, press releases, newsletters, speeches, and advertising. This individual will develop public education programs and materials for a variety of audiences and attend internal and external meetings and community events.

This individual must exercise excellent news judgment and be highly detail-oriented, organized, and reliable. Strong crisis communication skills are essential, as the individual must be experienced in preparing for, responding to, and managing communication needs during emergency or high-pressure situations.

The Communications Administrator assists in maintaining the City's website and performs daily management and monitoring of the City's social media platforms. This individual acts as a communication advisor and liaison to City departments, the public, and the media. Some work at special events is required.

This position may serve as a surrogate department lead and designated on-call spokesperson for the City during the absence of the Director of Community Relations.

Essential Functions of Work

May serve as surrogate department lead and designated on-call spokesperson for the City during the absence of the Director of Community Relations; Exhibits a mastery of strategic municipal public relations and marketing skills, strategies, and best practices; Responds to media inquiries in a timely manner; advises staff on media responses, develops relationships with local media, and contacts press for various events and subjects; Coordinates with and supports departments with communications expertise for various activities, including communication projects, public outreach, community engagement, public information, and media response; Develops and implements communication plans and deliverables under the direction of the Director of Community Relations, which include (but are not limited to) producing news releases, social media content, newsletters, videos, photos, graphic design, web content, City Council proclamations, ads, brochures, etc.; Develops and implements internal communication strategies and tactics that ensure all staff members are informed and engaged ambassadors of the City; Coordinates and supports critical communication functions during city emergencies and/or disasters. Assists in updating City websites, including expanding and managing the general content, and improving their appearance and usability; Prepares speeches, correspondence, acknowledgements and oral presentations to be delivered by City staff and/or elected and appointed officials; Compiles, disseminates and distributes day-to-day information to City staff and the public; Coordinates the preparation and distribution of various publications to include budgeting, specification bidding, layout and design, article writing, editing, printing and circulation; Prepares work products free of errors while meeting deadlines in a timely manner; Collaborates with Community Relations staff and other individuals engaged in the development of informational and educational material for release to the public and news media; Listens to and respects input from workgroup conversations, interacting tactfully and directly to collaboratively resolve issues arising from these discussions; Assists in the monitoring of and adherence to the City brand between all City departments and external entities; Attends and performs basic work-related duties at select City of Hilliard special events; Performs other related functions of the job as needed.

Typical Qualifications

Possession of a bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Administration, Public Relations or related field, or an equivalent combination of education/experience; Five or more years of progressive communications or related work experience; Thorough knowledge of journalism (including AP Style), public relations, communication, and promotion principles and practices; Considerable applied knowledge of social media; General knowledge of photography and electronic graphics (e.g., use of professional digital camera equipment and imaging software, Canva, etc.); General knowledge of professional printing processes; Skilled in public speaking; Ability to use a personal computer and relevant software (e.g., proficient in Word, Excel, Office365 Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress, etc.); Ability to multitask and meet deadlines; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, the general public, and the news media in order to gain their confidence and cooperation; Ability to write and speak fluent English; Ability to proofread to find and correct spelling and grammatical errors. Ability to write, plan, compose and edit (including proofreading) documents for publication; Ability to gather data and prepare factual reports; Ability to follow directions and to set and adhere to policies; Ability to take an experienced, action-oriented approach to crisis communication; Ability to work independently, under pressure, to achieve goals and to create a supportive work environment that encourages self-motivation.

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements Ability to sit for long periods of time; Ability to perform essential job functions to include: sitting, standing, reaching, twisting, bending, walking, and kneeling; Ability to lift and move objects weighing 10-30 pounds