Communications Specialist

City of Lone Tree•Lone Tree, CO

6d•Onsite

About The Position

At the City of Lone Tree, we are committed to hiring individuals who are passionate about their community, eager to grow in their careers, and motivated to make a meaningful impact. Here, you won’t just take on a job, you’ll join a dedicated team working to shape a vibrant, forward-thinking City. Whether you’re driven by public service, energized by problem-solving, or simply seeking purposeful work alongside exceptional colleagues, you’ll find your place with us. The Communications Specialist reports to the Communications Director and is responsible for planning, creating, and coordinating clear, accurate, and engaging communications that inform residents, employees, businesses, visitors, and stakeholders about City programs, services, events, and initiatives. This position is the lead on digital communications, supporting public information and outreach, marketing, and media relations, while ensuring consistency with City branding, accessibility standards, and communication best practices. The role regularly provides guidance to departments on messaging approaches, audience considerations, and communications risks. The Communications Specialist works closely with City departments, and City leadership to deliver effective internal and external communications.

Requirements

Excellent writing and editing skills, with the ability to create clear, concise, accurate, and engaging content for a variety of audiences and communication channels.
Proficiency with social media platforms, content management systems, and digital communication tools.
Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and work effectively under pressure, including during emergencies or other time-sensitive situations.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
Proficiency with graphic design and multimedia tools, such as Canva and Adobe Creative Suite.
Ability to manage social media accounts and develop effective digital content.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with cross-functional teams.
Ability to develop and implement communication strategies aligned with organizational goals.
Knowledge of branding principles and ability to maintain consistent visual and messaging standards across communication channels.
Knowledge of crisis and emergency communication principles and practices.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders, including employees, residents, businesses, partner organizations, and elected officials.
Familiarity with digital marketing practices, including search engine optimization, social media marketing, and email campaigns.
Ability to analyze communication metrics and other relevant data to evaluate effectiveness and inform communication strategies.
Knowledge of current communication technologies, media practices, and traditional and digital communication platforms.
Familiarity with legal and ethical considerations related to public-sector communications, including copyright, privacy, open records requirements, and digital accessibility.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
2-4 years of experience in government communications, public information, community engagement or a related field is preferred.
An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience may be considered.
A portfolio demonstrating writing, graphic design, digital communications, and/or multimedia work may be requested.

Responsibilities

Develop, write, and edit content for a wide range of internal and external communications, including website content, social media, print and digital newsletters, digital signage, and promotional materials.
Maintain the City’s website, including designing, building, and updating web pages to ensure information is accurate, accessible, user-friendly, and aligned with City branding standards.
Serve as the primary content owner for web standards, structure, and usability, collaborating with IT or web developers on technical or programming-related updates beyond content-level changes.
Apply City branding guidelines, including logos and visual standards, across all communication materials.
Plan and execute marketing and promotional efforts for City events, programs, services, and initiatives in coordination with departments and partner organizations.
Coordinate the City’s social media platforms, including content creation, scheduling, monitoring engagement, responding to inquiries, and coordinating messaging with departments.
Create and manage custom graphic elements for digital and print communications
Coordinate content and messaging across digital platforms, including SMS/text alerts, email newsletters (e.g., Constant Contact), and other communication tools such as Smartsheet, to ensure consistent, accurate, and timely information is shared with the public and staff.
Assist with public information efforts, including routine announcements and time-sensitive communications.
Support crisis and emergency communications in coordination with public safety, City leadership, and partner agencies.
Coordinate internal communications to keep City employees informed, including drafting announcements, updates, and informational materials.
Support City Council outreach and events by developing communications materials, promotional content, and messaging support as needed.
Update digital City signage to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent messaging.
Ensure all digital communications meet accessibility standards (ADA/WCAG) and follow plain language best practices.
Collaborate with departments to gather information, identify communication needs, and ensure messaging accuracy and consistency.
Track and report communication metrics across platforms to evaluate effectiveness and support continuous improvement.
Analyze communications and other relevant data to identify insights and inform communications strategies.
Support the planning and execution of City community outreach efforts, including events and initiatives involving the Lone Tree City Council, Lone Tree Police Department, Community Development, Public Works, and other departments.
Serve as a City representative at City events, resident engagement activities, and partner organization events, as needed.
Provide administrative support to the City Manager’s Office, as assigned.