Communications Specialist (Communications & Outreach)

Village of Schaumburg • Schaumburg, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Village of Schaumburg is seeking a strategic and creative Communications Specialist to support the village’s mission by developing and executing effective public relations, public information, and community engagement programs. This role plays a key part in communicating the village’s services, initiatives, and priorities to the community. This position reports to the Director of Communications and 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• 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.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Proficiency with current computer technology, job-specific software, and customer service systems.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• flexible benefit Section 125 plan including health, dental, vision, and life insurance
• medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• retirement plan through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund
• paid holidays
• paid vacation
• sick leave
• tuition reimbursement
• succession development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level