Communications Specialist

City of Porterville•Porterville, CA

About The Position

Under general administrative direction, develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates the City's communications, marketing, branding, and public information programs. This role involves developing and maintaining the City's brand identity and Citywide communications strategy, creating and coordinating digital, visual, and written content to promote City programs, services, projects, events, accomplishments, and community initiatives. The position also supports media relations, community engagement, and emergency communications.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Graphic Design, Digital Media, or a related field.
Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, graphic design, digital media, community relations, or a related field.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Knowledge of principles and practices of strategic communications, marketing, branding, public information, media relations, and community engagement.
Knowledge of brand development, marketing campaigns, audience identification, and message development.
Knowledge of social media, digital communications, website content management, and online engagement.
Knowledge of graphic design, photography, videography, multimedia production, and visual communications.
Knowledge of professional writing, editing, news writing, and development of content for diverse audiences and communication platforms.
Knowledge of community outreach, public engagement, event promotion, and stakeholder communications.
Knowledge of methods for evaluating communication and marketing effectiveness, including website analytics, social media metrics, surveys, and community feedback.
Knowledge of principles and practices of emergency and crisis communications.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws and requirements related to public-sector communications, accessibility, copyright, records retention, and intellectual property.
Knowledge of the organization and functions of municipal government.
Knowledge of modern office practices, communication technologies, software applications, record keeping, report preparation, and presentation techniques.
Ability to develop and coordinate effective communication, marketing, branding, and public information programs.
Ability to create professional written, visual, digital, and multimedia content for diverse audiences.
Ability to maintain consistent City branding, messaging, and visual identity across communication platforms.
Ability to plan and coordinate marketing campaigns, community outreach, special events, and public engagement activities.
Ability to establish effective relationships with the media, community, City staff, partner agencies, and other stakeholders.
Ability to respond effectively to media and public inquiries, including during emergencies and sensitive situations.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, work independently and collaboratively, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally, both orally and in writing.
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a public agency is desirable.

Responsibilities

Develops, implements, and maintains Citywide communication, marketing, and branding strategies that support the City's goals and priorities; establishes and promotes consistent messaging, visual identity, and brand standards across City departments, programs, facilities, and public-facing communications.
Develops marketing and promotional campaigns to highlight City programs, services, projects, events, economic and community development initiatives, community assets, infrastructure investments, accomplishments, and other activities that promote the City and strengthen its community identity.
Creates, designs, edits, and coordinates written, visual, and multimedia content, including news releases, newsletters, brochures, advertisements, graphics, photography, videos, presentations, informational materials, signage, and other digital and printed communications.
Develops and manages content for the City's website, social media platforms, and other digital communication channels to provide timely, accurate, accessible, and engaging information; monitors digital engagement and identifies opportunities to expand the City's reach and effectiveness.
Coordinates with City departments to identify communication and marketing needs and provides professional guidance and support for public education campaigns, promotional materials, presentations, special initiatives, and other communications to ensure consistency with Citywide messaging and brand standards.
Develops and coordinates community engagement and public outreach activities, including surveys, public information campaigns, community events, public meetings, and other opportunities to inform and engage residents, businesses, visitors, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
Serves as a primary point of contact for routine media inquiries; prepares news releases, talking points, fact sheets, and official communications; coordinates responses with the City Manager, department directors, and appropriate staff; and develops and maintains professional relationships with news media.
Proactively identifies and develops opportunities to tell the City's story, promote community assets and accomplishments, and strengthen public awareness of City programs and investments through digital and traditional media, photography, video, publications, community partnerships, and other communication channels.
Supports emergency and crisis communications, including the preparation and dissemination of timely public information, emergency notifications, updates, and other communications in coordination with the City Manager, emergency management personnel, public safety agencies, City departments, and other appropriate agencies.
Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of City communication, marketing, branding, and engagement efforts using website analytics, social media metrics, surveys, community feedback, and other performance measures; stays informed of emerging communication and marketing practices and recommends strategies, technologies, and improvements to enhance the City's communication efforts.
Performs related duties as required and/or assigned.