Communication Strategist Senior/Public Information Officer Job at City of Aurora

JOB LOCATION 15151 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1555 City of Aurora, Colorado It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity , Respect, Professionalism , and Customer Service , and we welcome all who share these values to apply. Why Work for Aurora? Make a difference in the lives of real people every day Diverse community Competitive total compensation package Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan Light rail station minutes away On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement Access to innovation workspaces PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Hiring salary for this position is $74,854.63-$93,568.29/annually. The deadline to submit applications is Saturday, December 7, 2024. Initial review of submitted applications will commence on Monday, December 9th, 2024. Please note, the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine a qualified pool of applicants exists, this position may be closed without notice. OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT Serving as a public information officer for Aurora Fire Rescue, the Communications Strategist Senior implements AFR's communications and marketing program to inform and engage internal and external stakeholders under the direction of the Strategic Communications Manager. The proposed incumbent possesses the skills to devise integrated communications strategies, develop written material for a variety of audiences including members of the news media; craft social media content; create visual materials such as flyers and graphics; create web content using a content management system; and produce video content. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule. The position requires rotating overnight, weekend and holiday on-call availability which may include on-site emergency communications support. When on call, the proposed incumbent is required to be able to operate a take-home city vehicle, occasionally in inclement weather conditions, and be no more than an hour away from the city of Aurora. PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Develop and implement communications strategies for internal and external audiences. Plan, organize and coordinate communications and public information and engagement activities for Aurora Fire Rescue. Write, edit and post news releases, internal communication, articles and social media content. Shape communications messages and respond to media requests during both emergency and non-emergency events in a way that positively represents the department, builds relationships with members of the news media and provides life safety education to the public. Serve as a media spokesperson for the department. Work a rotating on-call capacity spanning overnight, weekend and some holiday periods to provide remote support or respond to the scene for unfolding emergencies and incidents, including disseminating alerts and information about the situation and AFR's response, capturing photographs and videos of the scene and responding to questions and meeting the needs of news media. Coordinate event requests from the community for AFR apparatus and crews. Proactively identify, develop and disseminate positive stories about AFR, its impact in the community and its leadership in the fire service. Identify and plan social media content and campaigns; develop and post engaging and informative content that promotes AFR's brand positively and encourages practices that reduce risk in the community. Create simple yet visually compelling marketing collateral such as newsletters, graphics, flyers and presentations, as well as in-house video content for social media. Respond to requests from the community for guidance and information about AFR programs and resources. Post updated content to the department's website. Plan and implement special events, outreach and other promotional activities for the department. Perform other related duties as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered. Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism or a directly related field. Education/Experience Equivalency: At least four years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, public relations/communications. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered. The ideal candidates must possess : Mastery of the English language and excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills. Proficiency with producing media materials, securing media coverage and working with members of the press. Crisis or emergency communications experience. Proficiency with graphic design and video editing skills working with Adobe Suite, open source and other subscription-based programs. Demonstrated experience laying out, designing and producing multipage printed newsletters and developing social media, video and visual communications content. Familiarity with website platforms and content management systems. Willingness and ability to respond to emergencies 24/7 as needed and ability to respond to the scene of unfolding emergencies and incidents, within an hour or less after initial notification. Work experience demonstrating flexibility and excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines, respond to requests for information in a timely manner, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Interpersonal savvy to relate to all levels of city staff to build effective relationships. Reputation for integrity and trust in dealing with confidential information. Ability to maintain composure and respond effectively in high-stress and crisis situations. Valid driver's license with excellent driving record. Must pass background check at hiring (more details below) and remain in compliance throughout employment. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS - In addition to the required minimum qualifications: Experience working in a public safety setting Proficiency with speaking and writing in the Spanish language. Essential Personnel: When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel. Physical Demands : Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to work in an office setting with some assignments in the field. Occasional lifting, carrying, walking and standing. Hand/eye coordination to operate computer and related equipment. Vision to read legal descriptions and review drawings. Some speech and hearing to maintain communications with other employees and citizens. Be able to operate a motor vehicle, occasionally in inclement weather conditions. Work Environment: Works primarily in a clean, comfortable environment; frequently works or serves in an on-call capacity at night, on weekends and during some holidays. Ability to work remotely or in a hybrid setting. Must be comfortable responding to high-stress situations outdoors under various weather and environmental conditions as needed. Equipment Used: Frequently uses standard office equipment including personal computers and common office software such as email, internet, Microsoft Office programs, as well as Adobe Creative Suite programs. This position is eligible for a take-home city vehicle for use in responding to the scene for unfolding emergencies and incidents. Must have a valid driver's license and excellent driving record. This position is eligible for a cell phone stipend to apply toward the costs of using a cell phone for work purposes. This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment. For Veterans preference : Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application. The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission. Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired. Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References: As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.