Communications Specialist

Salary: $36.15 - $43.17 Hourly Location : Minnetonka, MN Job Type: Full-time Job Number: 2024-00107 Department: Administration Division: Communications Opening Date: 11/21/2024 Closing Date: 12/5/2024 11:59 PM Central FLSA: Non-Exempt Job Description The Communications Specialist works in coordination with the Police Department and plays a pivotal role in creating and implementing comprehensive communication strategies. This position develops and executes multi-channel communication plans for internal and external audiences, advancing the department's goals and priorities. Key responsibilities include managing communications about policies, services, programs, achievements, and other government affairs, ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of information to diverse stakeholders. Duties/Responsibilities Design and implement outreach materials to promote department programs and initiatives across multiple platforms, including print, digital, and mail. Assist with managing internal and external communication channels, including email and text subscription services (GovDelivery, Everbridge), websites, intranet, and social media accounts. Research, write, edit, and produce content for the department website, social media accounts, mass emails, newsletters, video productions, news releases, articles, fact sheets, brochures, and other print and digital materials. Assist police and city leadership with writing, reviewing, and editing press releases, articles, and social media posts. Serve as a primary media contact, building relationships with local media outlets, arranging media coverage, and facilitating interviews. Coordinate and execute communication plans to support police department campaigns, both internally and externally, ensuring they are accessible and engaging for diverse community members. Develop materials (e.g., letters, brochures, videos, fact sheets, flyers) that communicate department goals and priorities to partner organizations, community leaders, and residents. Coordinate with internal departments to plan public events, community outreach programs, and awareness campaigns, ensuring cohesive messaging and smooth logistics. Be familiar with department protocols during emergency management events and assist in disseminating accurate, timely information. Perform special projects as assigned by city and police leadership, including producing presentations, such as PowerPoint decks and other visual content. Coordinate and amplify communications efforts with other jurisdictions and partner organizations at the local, county, and state levels. Prioritize plain language, accessibility, the city writing style, and culturally relevant communication to effectively connect with audiences across different levels of the enterprise and various communities around the city. Create communications tools and resources to support departments and employee resource groups. Develop and conduct training for employees in communications-related subjects. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field, with at least one year of experience in media relations, public information, and community engagement. Preferred Qualifications 2 years of experience in media relations, public information, and community engagement. Additional Information Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Thorough knowledge of industry, organizational and departmental policies, practices, procedures, legal guides, recommendations, ordinances, and laws. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Excel) and Adobe Creative Cloud. Knowledgeable in marketing and communications, including crisis communications and event management. Excellent writing skills for news releases, reports, speeches, and community-friendly materials. Strong interpersonal, organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills. Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing. Expertise in social media strategies, content management solutions, and proofreading for accuracy. Capable of handling typical assignments and problems independently with moderate analytical ability. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, other departments, and the general public. Experience in computer graphics, video editing, and digital media. General knowledge of AP Style and some programming languages. Ability to work well under pressure, meet deadlines, and demonstrate strong self-motivation and initiative. Regular contact with the department, other departments, outside agencies, and the general public on specialized matters, with moderate supervision within standard operating procedures. Contributes to organizational impact and consequences by assisting and supporting others or providing data or facilitating services. Licenses/Certificates N/A RELATIONSHIPS This Position Reports to: Communications and Marketing Manager Supervises N/A Internal and External Clientele and Purpose of Contact Colleagues/Co-workers; supervisors PROBLEM SOLVING Internal customers will include collaboration with divisions and departments, as well as other departments, on projects and initiatives. External customers will include Minnetonka residents. FREEDOM TO ACT Budget N/A Decision(s) Position Makes and Decision(s) Referred to Higher Authority Decisions referred to a higher authority PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS This work requires the frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing and using hands to manipulate, handle or feel, frequently requires sitting and occasionally requires standing, reaching with hands and arms, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work has no exposure to environmental conditions; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. library, private offices). This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and level of work difficulty required of the position. It is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar level of difficulty. All employees must comply department/division and City of Minnetonka policies and procedures, as well as local, state and federal laws, regulations, guidelines and business and industry standards. Visit our page for more information.