Communications Specialist

Current Salary Range (F): $23.54 - $36.55/hour (depending upon qualifications)

Following is a brief overview of the position. Please review the entire job description (attached) for a
complete listing of the essential duties, responsibilities, physical demands and working environment,
minimum qualifications, and other requirements of this position.

CLASS SUMMARY
Performs communications, public relations, marketing and administrative support work in serving
the Communications Manager, senior officials and major departments or City-wide functions.
Work involves performing a full range of complex communications and administrative support
duties requiring discretion, confidentiality, judgment, and tact. Relieves Communications
Manager of routine administrative tasks and helps ensure smooth and efficient operation of the
Communications Department. Responsible for the communications operation of City
departments, requiring frequent contact with the public and senior officials of the City. The
position will be an essential member of the Communications Department responsible for
developing and implementing internal and external communications and marketing for City
Council, the City Manager and City departments. The work involves a wide variety of
communications and administrative functions and activities, including but not limited to writing,
editing, publishing, graphic design, computer skills and public relations. This role is the primary
point of contact for public records requests in compliance with applicable laws. Work is performed
under general supervision of the Communications Manager, with latitude for independent actions,
and is reviewed through conferences, meetings, and review of completed work for the achievement
of desired results, as well as the annual performance review.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Any one position may not include all the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class. Allocation of positions to this class will be determined on the amount of time spent in performing the primary duties.)
Works with the Communications Manager to develop and implement external and internal
communications strategies.

• Plans and manages departments communications publication schedules.
• Writes and edits various communications (i.e. letters, correspondence, publications, newsletters,
  press releases, advertisements, speeches, announcements, articles, and video scripts).
• Manages website and public engagement site content and updates, ensuring consistent, dynamic
  and fresh content including posting stories, announcements, and emergency alerts.
• Writes, designs and edits electronic newsletters and social media campaigns and coordinates social
  media communications and responses.
• Writes, designs and edits printed newsletters, flyers and marketing materials.
• Writes, designs and edits presentation materials, PowerPoint and Canva presentations.
• Works with the Communications Manager to respond to requests from the media, write press
  releases, coordinate press conferences, media campaigns and crisis communications.
• Manage the intake, review, and fulfillment of public records requests, including the identification
  and redaction of exempt information. This position coordinates directly with the Communications
  Manager and the City Solicitor to ensure strict compliance with Ohio Sunshine Laws. All redacted
  documents and legally sensitive disclosures are reviewed by the City Solicitor prior to release to
  uphold statutory compliance.
• May assist in coordinating, scheduling, and monitoring special events.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of marketing promotions, videos and other
  materials for special marketing projects.
• Performs a variety of administrative tasks in relieving the Communications Manager of important
  administrative details; conducts responsible research and gathers information for meetings and
  reports; transmits orders and instructions for the department manager as directed; interprets
  administrative policies and procedures.
• Prepares letters, statements, reports, memoranda, minutes, and a variety of correspondence from
  dictation, notes or rough draft; composes correspondence without instruction or review, based on
  knowledge of departmental operations, policies and procedures; assures the accuracy of outgoing
  materials; edits for grammar, spelling, punctuation, style and format and makes corrections as
  necessary. 
• Receives telephone calls and department visitors; determines the nature of calls and the purpose
  of visits; provides information within areas of discretion and authority or directions to appropriate
  staff or office; answers inquires or forwards calls and takes messages; provides general assistance
  and back-up support to other office staff.
• Establishes and maintains physical and digital files and records; ensures confidentiality of files
  and records and uses discretion in controlling access to and release of information. Ensures all
  documentation is accurate, organized, and readily accessible for annual audits and adherence to
  public records laws.
• May receive and review correspondence coming into the office and identify important
  correspondence that needs immediate attention routing to the appropriate staff for action or
  response.
• May assist in monitoring budget expenditures.
• May order office supplies and copy paper and maintain records for the purchases.
• Must establish and maintain effective working relationship with superiors, colleagues, co-workers,
  residents, City officials and the general public.
• Must provide a high level of customer service by being courteous, responsive, respectful,
  professional and helpful in all interactions with staff, co-workers, superiors, residents, City
  officials and the general public.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.
• Must have regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Must follow and comply with City rules and policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

(The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.) 
Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Work involves sitting for long periods of
time, standing, bending, walking, climbing stairs, lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50
pounds, using hands and fingers to operate computers and other office equipment. Work involves
exposure to normal everyday risks typical of offices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelors degree in public relations, communications or related study preferred. Work requires a
high school diploma or GED certificate, and considerable responsible experience in
communications and public relations work, or an equivalent combination of education and
experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills. Work should require only minimal editing.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Excellent graphic design skills requiring minimal editing.
• Knowledge of website content management systems and various social media platforms, including
  the ability to write, edit, and distribute information on these sites .
• Ability to ensure confidentiality of privileged information, files and records, using discretion in
  controlling access to and release of information.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact with citizens, staff, high-level business executives, City
  officials, and the media.
• Knowledge of computer operations, word processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing (Adobe
  Cloud, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Canva) and database software; and in the preparation and
  maintenance of automated records and files.
• Knowledge of department operations and organization structure, and administrative policies and
  procedures.
• Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn policies, procedures and equipment of the
  Communications Department, the organization and mission and staff of the various Hudson
  departments.
• Ability to compose letters and other correspondence on a variety of administrative matters, and to
  prepare and maintain administrative and fiscal records.
• Preferred knowledge of social media scheduling, analytics and reporting.
• Preferred knowledge of photography, videography and editing software.
• Preferred knowledge of Ohio Sunshine laws and record retention practices.

LICENSE, CERTIFICATE, OR OTHER REQUIREMENTS (All required licenses and
certificates must be current, and the privileges granted under each cannot be suspended or
otherwise encumbered.)
Valid Ohio drivers license insurable under City policy

Salary/Compensation: $23.54 - $36.55 per hour