Communications Manager

Position Purpose

Delivers strategic internal and external communications and engagement support for the Organizational Service and Effectiveness (OSE) work system/department. Serves as the public information officer for the OSE work system/department.
The City of Arvada promotes Equal Pay for Equal Work. Starting salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity. The range listed above reflects the entire range and typical placement is entry to mid-range.

Essential Functions / Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responsible for developing and implementing communication plans in conjunction with the citywide communications and engagement strategy, including developing, implementing, managing, and measuring internal and external communications and engagement initiatives to support programs, projects, and tasks within the assigned work system.

• Collaborates with other City communications and engagement staff to implement all aspects of public relations support for the work system, including media relations, content creation, writing and editing, and identifying and implementing highest and best venues to deliver messaging within the approved budget.

• Serves as the public information officer for an assigned work system which includes representing the work system to the media; developing and maintaining relationships and partnerships with media members and outlets; and authoring press releases and talking points for use with media contacts and facilitating media inquiries.

• Manages relationships with and oversees work conducted by communications agencies, consultants, freelance designers, and vendor partners on development of informational campaigns and project execution.

• Keeps current on issues, services, programs, projects, and events within the assigned work system and gathers information from subject matter experts to understand the business services provided and incorporate key concepts and messaging into communications for a variety of internal and external audiences.

• Manages customer engagement for the assigned work system using various communication channels and technology to respond to questions and requests from residents, to gain efficiencies and enhance two-way communication between employees, residents, and the City; and provide meaningful opportunities for community engagement.

• Responsible for management, acquisition, and appropriate modification of photos, design/layout, or graphics for informational documents, website, and various department communication materials. May include working with internal media services and/or identifying and procuring external services or resources.

• Oversees day-to day leadership activities, including effectively communicating vision and priorities, makes decisions and problem solves, delegates work, manages performance, hires, manages resources, develops others, and maintains a team culture to produce strong performance and positive employee and community member experiences.

• Travels to and attends team and organizational meetings, training, events and activities and appropriately and professionally represents the department.

• Demonstrates a respectful attitude towards customers and coworkers that promotes teamwork, open communication, and effective customer service.

• Acts with the customer in mind, responds to requests promptly and provides effective services or solutions for customers.

• Exercises appropriate level of initiative and judgment to make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.

• Models, both in words and action, the City's vision, mission, values and core competencies.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

• Visits sites across the city for the purposes of meeting with internal and external partners, planning and participating in community events and meetings, engaging with community members and marketing programs and services.

• Occasionally works evenings and weekends and is on call as needed for emergency response.

• Provides periodic audiovisual support at City Council meetings.

• Participates in strategic planning with the Communication and Engagement team and assigned work system.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• In-depth knowledge of communications and engagement principles and strategies.

• Knowledge of core functions and tools, including online content management, graphic design, writing and editing.

• Ability to apply consistent style, tone and standards to written and graphic communications.

• Experience in leveraging resources for time and cost-effective results.

• Experience managing website and social media platforms and content.

• Strong public relations skills.

• Proficient project management skills to successfully prioritize and deliver multiple projects.

• Ability to learn and apply technical knowledge of human resources, financial, information technology, legal and municipal functions.

• Ability to learn and access department specific databases and systems to research information on historical decisions, and current and future projects.

• Strong experience in networking and relationship-building skills.

• Strong negotiation and research skills.

• Budget management ability.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate information to support organizational objectives and interact with all levels of personnel within the city, and the general public in a positive and cooperative manner.

• Ability to operate a motor-vehicle to travel to and from off-site locations to support/attend business meetings, training and related events.

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, and to be on call as needed for emergency response.

-Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job-

SCOPE OF AUTHORITY:

Receives general supervision from theDirector of Communications and Engagement. Plans daily work activities and prioritizes tasks; expected to evaluate and respond to new situations that require immediate attention. Generally expected to deal with different and specialized situations.

Financial Accountability:

Makes recommendations for budget allocations pertaining to the Communications budget. Approves expenditures up to a certain dollar amount as authorized by Director of Communications and Engagement.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

No supervisory responsibility.

COMMUNICATION/WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal Contacts: Arvada Media Services staff, AURA staff, City management staff, Public Works staff, Utilities staff, Community and Economic Development Staff, Finance staff, Human Resources staff, Information Technology staff, Parks staff, Public Safety staff.

External Contacts: Contractors, Consultants, APEX, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Boards and Commissions, business owners, City Council,, community leaders, general public, , public relations or media representatives, service clubs, strategic partners, and others.

Qualifications - Working Environment / Minimum Qualifications

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

The work environment/physical activities described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with low to moderate noise levels. May be asked to work occasional evenings or weekends to attend events, and/or be on call to respond to emergencies. Physical effort and activities include: occasionally operating a personal or City-owned motor vehicle to drive to and from meetings, project sites and other business locations; ability to talk, hear and listen, use of hands/fingers to type and handle, feel or manipulate objects constantly; frequent sitting; occasional standing, walking, and reaching with hands and arms; visual acuity to focus on details at a close distance, and make general observations and inspections; handling of objects weighing up to 10 pounds, and up to 25 pounds occasionally.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, LICENSE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE):

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field plus a minimum of five years of experience managing public relations and/or communications strategies and projects. A valid Colorado driver's license and acceptable driving record is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

Background or experience in public involvement and community engagement for government or public sector organization is preferred; Knowledge or experience in internal communications and engagement preferred..

Vision Mission Values
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City's Core values are in every employee's individual Performance Plan which helps us to reinforce our expectations for living and working by our Core Values.
Every City employee is expected to perform his/her job to the highest professional standards. This includes upholding the City's values with integrity and accountability, acting in a manner that is respectful and inclusive towards others, and adhering to the City's policy on employee conduct as detailed in the personnel rules sec. 70-143.
Vision: We Dream Big and Deliver
Mission: We are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.
Values:
Innovation: We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives.
Passion : We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence.
Opportunity: We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.