Community Communications Officer

CITY OF MADEIRA BEACH•Madeira Beach, FL

5d•$63,000 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Community Communications Manager develops, coordinates, and implements the City’s internal and external communications, public information, media relations, digital content, branding, public engagement, and emergency communications programs. The position supports transparent, timely, accurate, and accessible communication with residents, businesses, visitors, employees, media representatives, elected officials, and partner agencies. The Community Communications Manager creates and oversees multimedia content, manages digital platforms, and ensures consistent branding and messaging across all communication channels. The position may require evening and weekend hours, on-call availability, and support during emergency operations. The City may support a flexible work schedule or partial telecommuting when approved by the City Manager and when it serves the operational needs of the City.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public administration, emergency management, digital media, web design, or a closely related field.
Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communications, media relations, marketing, public engagement, digital content, journalism, emergency communications, or multimedia production.
Ability to work a variety of schedules, including evenings, weekends, holidays, on-call assignments, EOC activations, and compulsory work periods during special, emergency, and disaster situations.
Must be available for on-call assignments, emergency call-outs, after-hours media issues, and urgent public information needs.
Completion of FEMA/NIMS training, including IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800, and IS-29, within twelve (12) months of hire if not previously completed.
Excellent written, verbal, visual, and digital communication skills.
Knowledge of public-sector communications, media relations, crisis communications, public engagement, and community outreach principles.
Ability to manage multiple communication platforms, including the City website, social media channels, email notification systems, video platforms, and other public-facing tools.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, political sensitivity, and professionalism in high-visibility or time-sensitive situations.
Ability to develop communication plans, talking points, press releases, newsletters, website updates, social media content, presentations, and public information materials.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, website content management systems, social media platforms, graphic design tools, photography/video editing tools, and analytics platforms.
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift, carry, and set up communication, camera, display, and event-related materials weighing up to 25 pounds at times.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements as they pertain to website content, documents, captions, alternative text, and digital and visual media.
Proficiency in website management, web design principles, and content management systems.
Strong skills in multimedia content creation including photography, videography, and digital design.
Ability to develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, elected officials, media, and the public.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Flexibility in scheduling and adaptability in a fast-paced municipal environment.

Nice To Haves

Public-sector, municipal government, emergency management, tourism/community-based communications, or coastal community experience is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Completion of G-290 Basic Public Information Officer, E0105 Public Information Basics, G-291 Joint Information System/Joint Information Center, or equivalent PIO training within two (2) years of hire is preferred.
Ability to manage community outreach activities beyond regular City business hours.

Responsibilities

Serve as the City’s authorized spokesperson when designated by the City Manager and may serve as the City’s Public Information Officer during emergency operations, EOC activations, major incidents, special events, or other situations as assigned.
Serve as the City’s lead content manager for the City website and coordinate with IT staff, vendors, and departments regarding website design, maintenance, accessibility, usability, emergency alerts, and content accuracy.
Manage City website content and social media platforms, including content planning, posting, monitoring, analytics, archiving coordination, and response protocols.
Collaborate with City departments to assess communication needs, clarify key messages, establish timelines, identify audiences, determine formats, and recommend presentation methods consistent with established standards.
Write, edit, and review professional content including press releases, media advisories, newsletters, website copy, social media posts, brochures, reports, presentations, scripts, talking points, and multimedia materials.
Lead branding initiatives and maintain consistent City tone, formatting, messaging, and visual standards across all communication platforms.
Promote City events, programs, services, public meetings, projects, and initiatives using strategic communications, marketing, advertising, and outreach techniques.
Research and prepare accurate, fact-based information for media releases, interviews, public meetings, public notices, resident updates, and other communications.
Produce or coordinate photography, videography, graphics, digital media, and printed materials for City programs, events, announcements, and special projects.
Engage with outside agencies, media representatives, residents, business owners, visitors, and community partners to facilitate effective communication and respond to inquiries consistent with City procedures.
Utilize website, social media, email, and digital platform analytics to track engagement, monitor performance, identify trends, and produce reports for management review.
Oversee the production, review, approval, and distribution of digital, video, and print communication materials from concept to completion.
Attend Board of Commissioners meetings, public workshops, town halls, emergency briefings, public meetings, and special events to support outreach, content development, and public information needs.
Administer and manage City communications applications and platforms, including website tools, email notification systems, social media accounts, video platforms, digital signage, and other public-facing systems.
Support positive, accessible, and informative user experiences utilizing City communication tools, including website, social media, email, telephone, video, and in-person communication channels.
Develop communication plans for major City projects, capital improvements, emergency events, public workshops, town halls, policy initiatives, and service changes.
Coordinate with the City Clerk, City Attorney, IT, and departments to ensure City communications, website content, social media content, photographs, videos, public notices, and related digital records are managed consistent with Florida public records laws, retention schedules, applicable exemptions, and City policy.
Support compliance with applicable ADA Title II digital accessibility requirements, including accessible website content, documents, images, captions, alternative text, video content, public notices, and other digital communications.
Develop and maintain procedures for review and approval of sensitive, policy-level, emergency, legal, or high-impact communications by the City Manager or designee.
Support internal communications to employees, including announcements, emergency updates, employee newsletters, and Citywide messaging.