VILLAGE OF SCHAUMBURG

Human Resources Department

101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, IL 60193

http://www.schaumburg.com/

The Village of Schaumburg is a thriving community of 78,723 residents located 11 miles west of O’Hare International Airport and approximately 26 miles northwest of Chicago. Not only is Schaumburg the twelfth-largest community in the State of Illinois, but it is also home to the second-largest concentration of retail, office, and commercial activity. Notable village distinctions include being rated as an excellent or good place to live by 95% of respondents in the National Community Survey; having multiple highly-awarded and accredited departments; being selected as a Best-In-Class-Employer by Gallagher for midsize employers and being recognized as a Better Business Town by The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.

The village employs approximately 600 employees in 12 departments, including police, fire, engineering and public works, communications, community development, cultural services, economic development, finance, general government, human resources, information technology, and transportation. Our employees work to serve the residents and strive to make Schaumburg the best community it can be.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF:

Communications Specialist (Communications & Outreach)

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted as applications are received. This position will remain open until filled.

STARTING SALARY RANGE: $83,774.00 - $93,199.00 annually dependent on qualifications. The salary range for this position is $83,774.00 - $121,472.00.

Please attach as part of your application all necessary documents verifying that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

JOB SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for developing and executing public relations and public information programs to communicate information about the village’s services, initiatives, and concerns to the public. The position will work in communications, public relations, brand management, and community engagement and will provide communications guidance to departments to fulfill communications goals. This position handles complex, confidential, and routine administrative responsibilities concerning the village’s communications efforts. This position will perform work related to the village’s communication efforts to achieve departmental and organizational goals within specified deadlines and budgets. We are looking to add a team member who can effectively and clearly communicate to a full range of people inside and outside the organization, organize time and resources effectively. The ideal candidate will be proactive, professional, and capable of working both independently and also part of a team.

JOB DUTIES:

1. Develops strategies and provides leadership in the upkeep and advancement of the village’s communication efforts as determined by the Director and outlined in the strategic communications plan, specifically in communications best practices, website management, social media use, and policy development.
2. Creates content, edits, and coordinates the design and production of the village’s print and digital publications, which include the quarterly newsletter, weekly e-newsletter, department and village marketing pieces, website, intranet site, scripts, and other collateral and media used to promote the village.
3. Researches, develops, writes, and edits copy for press releases, and local newspaper website postings. Assists with media inquiries and serves as a backup Public Information Officer (PIO) to the Director and during emergencies.
4. Works with all departments to develop and execute public relations and public information programs to communicate information on village services, including subjects of a confidential or non-confidential nature. Provides strong project management, leadership, and guidance on communications matters for departments.
5. Performs a mix of routine, complex, and confidential public relations tasks following the village strategic communications plan, which can include the coordination and creation of talking points, public relations events, and other tasks related to positively promoting the village.
6. Utilizes social media and other technology to disseminate information and cultivate positive public relations with the community. Attends events and takes photos/videos of people, events, buildings, and other happenings in the village as needed to produce village materials and communications. Helps maintain and keep the village photo library current and organized.
7. Coordinates with departments, develops, and edits content to produce flyers, brochures, newsletters, factsheets, inserts, posters, and other promotional material. Will work with contracted graphic designers and other contracted professional resources as necessary to develop easy-to-understand high-quality communications that promote village services and programs. Acts as a brand steward for the village advising on appropriate brand guidelines for communications and documents.
8. Works closely with village personnel to ensure departmental communication products meet appropriateness, quality, and consistency with the overall village message, branding, priorities, corporate goals, etc., and edits communications.
9. Edits, monitors, and manages webpages relevant to promoting village events, news, and other information; ensures that content and website appearance conform to village website guidelines. Collaborates with various department liaisons who are owners of web content areas to ensure that standards are met, and that content is accurate and up to date.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
2. A minimum of three years of experience in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field. Ability to demonstrate competency through verifiable portfolio and references.
3. Possession of a valid driver’s license.
4. Proficiency with current computer technology, job-specific software, and customer service systems.

BENEFITS:

The Village of Schaumburg has a competitive benefit package with coverage that begins on the first day of employment and includes: flexible benefit Section 125 plan including health, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and a retirement plan through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. The Village also provides paid holidays, paid vacation, sick leave, tuition reimbursement, succession development, and more.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Candidate screening process may consist of an application review, skills testing, employability assessment, interviews, reference checks, and other job-related testing or verifications. Chosen candidates will be subject to a background and criminal history investigation, and qualifying pre-employment medical examination and drug screen (including cannabis).

THE VILLAGE OF SCHAUMBURG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER