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City of Lake Forest

Communications and Marketing Specialist

City of Lake Forest, Lake Forest, California, United States, 92630


“Lake Forest, Where Work and Life Come Together Naturally.”We’re looking for a team player who knows their way around public relations, but also knows they can always learn more. Our ideal candidate will have strong writing skills, knowledge of video production/Adobe Creative Suite, and a knack for coming up with fresh ideas.We’ll ask you to manage our social-media accounts, help plan, shoot, and edit videos, as well as put the “special” in special events. Behind the keyboard, you’ll contribute to our quarterly Leaflet magazine, scripts, speeches, and anything else that needs to be written.Other duties as assigned? You bet. We need to launch a podcast. Have a great idea? We’ll give that a try, too. At Lake Forest, we like new ideas!

The City of Lake Forest works a 9/80 schedule – essentially 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with every other Friday off – but this job calls for a few evenings and weekends.

You’ll be part of a team that works with every division in the City, so getting along with your teammates is a must. We make mistakes, we learn, we try again. We’ll challenge you, and we want you to challenge us. We’ll set goals together and grow together.

This posting will close on August 29, 2024, at 6:00 PM. Prompt application is encouraged as the position may close at any time.ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

Performs a variety of responsible clerical, administrative, technical, and para-professional duties in support of the City’s public relations program; assists in the development and dissemination of public information and materials.Creates, formats, edits, revises, proofreads, and processes a variety of marketing and public relations documents and forms including newsletters, brochures, pamphlets, flyers, articles, and calendars.Collaborates with City staff in the development, design, and distribution of various City publications and outreach materials; assists departments in the creation and dissemination of communication and marketing materials.Oversees the use and management of City mobile application and various social media accounts; creates, edits, and posts a variety of information.Assists in the monitoring of the City website to ensure adherence to City policies and guidelines; coordinates and participates in the development of articles and posts; posts material to website as directed.Conducts research; prepares, revises, and implements various administrative policies, procedures, rules, and regulations in accordance with sound organizational practices; develops and revises office forms and report formats; establishes procedural manual for the City website, mobile application, and social media accounts.Assists with the creation of videos for marketing purposes; coordinates video production, filming, editing, engineering, cinematography, lighting, and light script work; maintains and recommends procurement of Audio/Visual production equipment.Conducts administrative and/or management studies relating to public relations activities and operations; conducts the more routine surveys, research, and statistical analysis on administrative, fiscal, and operational issues; collects, compiles, and analyzes information from various sources on a variety of specialized topics related to programs administered by the position or by management staff; writes reports that present and interpret data, identify alternatives; make and justify recommendations.Provides assistance in resolving operational and administration problems; identifies problem areas and issues; conducts research to find alternative solutions; makes recommendations; assists in implementation of recommendations.Assists in researching, negotiating, and monitoring assigned contracts and agreements; ensures work is performed in compliance with contracts and agreements.Assists with the operation and troubleshooting of live stream software and hardware for City Council Meetings.Monitors Public Information Division budget, processes invoices, and assists in development of budget.Assists in the composition of Requests for Proposals and Requests for Bids for various projects or programs overseen by the Public Information Division.Participates with special projects as assigned; assist in planning, coordinating and implementing assigned programs and events; assists in monitoring assigned programs.Takes photos of City events, programs, buildings, parks, and other features as needed.Serves as primary contact and liaison for assigned functions and programs with other City departments and staff, the general public, and outside agencies and organizations; explains programs, policies, and activities.Coordinates assigned services and program/project activities with those of other City programs, functions, departments and staff, boards, committees, and task forces as well as external agencies, groups, and the general public to ensure effective cooperation consistent with optimal efficiency, effectiveness, and economy; coordinates data, resources, and work products as necessary; participates in representing the assigned area to public and private groups, organizations, and other City groups.Attends meetings and events on nights and weekends, as needed.Performs related duties as required.QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES:The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of a public relations program; organization and operation of municipal government; operational characteristics, services, and activities of a public relations program; work organization and office management principles and practices; standard organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs related to area of assignment; basic techniques and formulae for administrative, financial, and comparative analyses; methods and techniques of effective technical, administrative, and financial record keeping, report preparation, and presentation; recent developments, research methods, current literature, and sources of information related to assigned programs and service areas; terminology used in area of assignment; basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration; principles of business letter writing; principles, trends, methods, and techniques used in customer service, public relations, public information, and program education and promotion; federal, state, and local government organizations; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and various software packages; methods and techniques used in customer service and public relations; English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:

Oversee, coordinate, and participate in the management of a public relations program; understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities; understand, interpret, and apply administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as pertinent laws, regulations, and ordinances; perform responsible and difficult para-professional analytical, programmatic and administrative duties involving the use of independent judgment and personal initiative; learn methods and techniques of research and operational and administrative analysis; learn to prepare a variety of analytical and financial reports; learn to develop policies, procedures, goals, and objectives; learn to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals; develop, edit, and distribute informational and marketing materials; plan, coordinate and conduct operational analyses, administrative studies, and special projects; research, compile, analyze, and interpret data; respond to requests and inquiries from the general public; prepare clear, accurate and concise tables, schedules, summaries and other materials in statistical and narrative form; establish and maintain various data collection, record keeping, tracking, filing, and reporting systems; work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact by phone or in person; manage multiple projects simultaneously; plan and organize work to meet schedules and time lines; exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in maintaining critical and sensitive information, records, and reports; operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and various software packages; participate in planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and evaluating assigned programs, projects, events, or technical area; properly interpret and make recommendations in accordance with laws, regulations and policies; identify and respond to community and organizational issues, concerns, and needs; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements:

A valid Class C California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City’s Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Education/Training/Experience:

A typical way of obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above is graduation from a four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a closely related field and one year of public relations experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical and mental demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to frequently sit and occasionally walk and stand to access work areas and files; stoop, kneel, or crouch to access or place records or files; lift and carry records and documents, typically weighing less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands:

While performing the duties of this class, the employee must be able to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; interpret policies and procedures; use math and mathematical reasoning; learn and apply new information or new skills; work under deadlines with constant interruptions; and interact with City staff, other organizations and the public; occasionally required to deal with applicants and employees in conflict situations.

Work Environment:

The employee typically works in office conditions; the noise level is frequently quiet or moderately quiet.#J-18808-Ljbffr