Communications Specialist

Communications Staff Member

This position will serve as an experienced staff member to provide comprehensive and strategic communications support to City communications activities and programs, with a particular focus on internal-focused initiatives. This new position will improve alignment and coordination of formal communication between internal and external stakeholders and deliver efficient and effective communications to different audiences. Top candidates will have experience in a broad range of communications tactics and illustrate proven writing ability.

CITY RESIDENCY WILL BE REQUIRED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF HIRE.

Typical Work Activities

• Serves as the Communications Bureau liaison for assigned City departments and bureaus ("beats"), participating in staff and status meetings to identify communications opportunities;

• Creates and leads the implementation of communications strategies for assigned City departmental beats;

• Utilizes excellent writing skills in the development of news releases, fact sheets, media advisories, social media posts, collateral material and advertising copy, correspondence, and other marketing communications materials for assigned departmental beats as well as other projects as assigned;

• Develops briefings and scripts for Mayor and other senior leaders tied to efforts and activities of assigned departmental beats;

• Coordinates with Bureau's graphics team to coordinate the creation of collateral materials, advertising, and other promotional materials;

• Coordinates special communications services to neighborhood and community groups and special projects as assigned;

• Supports Press Officer and Director in managing media at news conferences for assigned departmental beats and other events as assigned;

• Creates and implements social media strategy; manages, monitors, updates and interacts on the City of Rochester's social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn);

• Takes photos at City events for use in social media, on website, and in other communications materials;

• Proofreads written copy drafted by colleagues;

• Helps assess programs and services, measuring public interest and participation;

• Supervises and advises junior team members on specific projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree AND five (5) years of experience writing news releases, speeches, promotional copy for various media or other material for public dissemination.

* Familiarity with local and state government operations is a preferred.