City of Plano is hiring: Public Relations and Community Outreach Specialist in P

Public Relations and Community Outreach Specialist

At the City of Plano, our values make us who we are and guide us as we SERVE our city. As members of Team Plano, our organizational Values (what is most important to us) make up the acronym, SERVE (Stewardship, Engaged, Respectful, Visionary, Excellence).

Are you passionate about helping people connect and engage in recreational activities, nature, sports, special events, and/or health and wellness opportunities? Join our Parks and Recreation team as our Public Relations and Outreach Specialist and become the one who inspires people to explore and engage with our parks, programs, and special events. In this dynamic role, the ideal candidate will craft compelling campaigns to inform and educate our community, manage social media platforms, and build relationships with private and non-profit agencies, big and small, and the media to help promote the benefits of our programs and facilities. If you thrive in an environment that involves connecting with others, creativity, storytelling, and making a tangible impact on the quality of life in your community, this is your chance to combine purpose and passion in a career that makes every day an adventure. Apply today!

Hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm with occasional work in the evening or on the weekends for outreach and special events.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Membership in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), in which the City matches contributions 2:1 upon retirement
• Up to three weeks of paid vacation
• Up to three weeks of paid sick leave per year
• Nine paid holidays
• Tuition Assistance
• Free Library Card
• Free recreation center membership

And so much more! Learn about our benefits here.

Every person matters. Every job has purpose. Together we make a difference. Join Team Plano!

Summary of Duties:

Under general supervision, raises awareness and creates and maintains a favorable public image of the Plano Parks and Recreation department by building strategic relationships, educating the community, conducting a variety of outreach activities, and effectively promoting and publicizing the Department through print, electronic and social media platforms. The Public Relations and Community Outreach Specialist will work to increase participation in Parks and Recreation programs, special events, parks and recreational facilities and serve as liaison with community partners. The Public Relations and Community Outreach Specialist reports to the Recreation Services Manager and will supervise the Special Events/Event Permitting area. The position works closely with the Marketing Coordinator, Business Manager and the Communication & Community Outreach department.

Examples of ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only):

• Develops, implements, and maintains a comprehensive and innovative community outreach and public relations plan targeting Plano citizens, private, corporate, school, and other organizations.
• Develops and maintains relations with the media and be the key contact for interviews and stories relevant to the Parks and Recreation department. Proactively submits articles and stories when appropriate.
• Promotes, through various outlets, all divisions within the Parks and Recreation Department which include Parks, Recreation, Arts, Culture, and Heritage, and Park Planning.
• Provides department-wide social media and web content to the Parks and Recreation Business Manager’s area.
• Monitors and responds to all forms of media reviews, posts, and comments when appropriate.
• Supervises and assists the Recreation Division Special Event/Event Permitting staff, including all groundbreakings, grand openings, dignitary receptions, and other special events.
• Establishes relationships with civic, business, education, faith-based communities, and other organizations.
• Attends relevant community/neighborhood meetings, councils, roundtables, committee meetings, and health/community/corporate fairs; provides presentations at each when appropriate.
• Works with recreation centers, program areas, and administrative staff to develop and implement strategic outreach campaigns to bring awareness and increase participation in the Department’s special events, parks, programs, and opportunities.
• Works with the managers to develop publicity and awareness campaigns in response to participation trends.
• Prepares and administers budget, and authorizes, approves and monitors expenditures.
• Regular and consistent attendance for the assigned work schedule is essential.

Marginal Duties:

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Decisions:

The incumbent must independently determine course of action to respond to all comments, issues and situations as to present the department in a positive manner and to disprove false information. Determine priorities to support the needs of the department. Incumbent must develop the budget and determine appropriate expenditures for budgeted funds to meet goals and objectives. Establish performance measures for staff and evaluate performance against those standards and measures.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of: Public relations best practices; customer service, and public education practices; budgetary practices and procedures; outreach techniques; strategic planning.

Skill in: Preparing effective persuasive oral and written communications; leading, motivating, and evaluating employees; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; establishing professional and well-organized communication with partner organizations, stakeholders, and community and business leaders; operating a personal computer including standard software and some specialized software.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Communication, Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience in planning and facilitating public meetings, identifying community needs, data analysis, working with community leaders and volunteers. Any work-related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License (must obtain within 30 days of hire per state law).

Conditions of Employment: Must pass a drug test, driver license check, criminal history background check, periodic CJIS background check (for positions requiring access into Police buildings) and social security number verification check.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions: This is primarily a sedentary classification although standing in work areas and walking and driving between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds. Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees interact with staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures and administering program activities.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills which may be required. The position also requires meeting the essential requirements of the Job Task Analysis, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Equal Opportunity Employer - EOE/M/F/V/D

Open positions are subject to close without notice.

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