Community Relations Manager (Hybrid/Remote)

City of Carlsbad (CA)•Carlsbad, CA

48d•Hybrid

About The Position

Want to join a team of communication professionals passionate about connecting communities with their local government? The City of Carlsbad is looking for a full-time Community Relations Manager to support the city's award-winning strategic communication program with managing public engagement, media relations, digital communications and more. You would be part of a centralized, full-service Communication & Engagement Department team that supports the city as a whole and all city departments with their communication needs, including: Facilitating the community's ability to provide meaningful input into city decision making. Encouraging participation in city events and programs. Promoting awareness of city issues and services. Increasing transparency by making city information accessible to a lay audience. Keeping city employees informed about the city organization and its work. Helping city staff enhance their own communication skills. Providing emergency communication support during natural disasters and other incidents. This position reports to the Communication & Engagement Director who reports directly to the City Manager. The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons and abundant open space create the ideal California experience. City government serves 115,000 residents and a diverse business community by providing high quality services, including dedicated public safety personnel, well-maintained city parks, 67 miles of city trails and three city-run libraries. The City of Carlsbad is committed to maintaining its small-town beach community character as it continues to grow. An award-winning growth management plan has helped ensure infrastructure has kept pace with new development, while protecting the city's financial health. Carlsbad has an AAA credit rating, one of the best funded pensions in the region and healthy reserves. Looking ahead, Carlsbad is planning for the future, guided by a 5-Year Strategic Plan focused on: Quality of life and safety Community character Sustainability and the natural environment A thriving economy Organizational excellence and fiscal health The City of Carlsbad embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and recognizes the vital relationship of a culturally diverse, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. A diverse, equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values and views shaped for differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal. This position will offer the flexibility of a hybrid schedule working in-person at the office as well as working remotely.

Requirements

Knowledge of principles and practices of: Strategic communication, outreach, public relations and marketing.
Knowledge of principles and practices of: Media relations, including news releases and news conferences.
Knowledge of principles and practices of: Community engagement and public participation.
Knowledge of principles and practices of: Associated Press writing style.
Knowledge of principles and practices of: Philosophy, principles and practices of programming and special events.
Knowledge of principles and practices of: Supervisory principles and practices, including training and evaluation of employees.
Knowledge of principles and practices of: Digital communication, including social media, websites, video photography and graphic design.
Knowledge of principles and practices of: Organization, administration and budgeting.
Ability to: Interface as a consultant with all levels of the organization.
Ability to: Plan and implement effective and measurable communication programs
Ability to: Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
Ability to: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to: Coordinate and manage a number of projects simultaneously using effective time management and problem-solving techniques.
Ability to: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of customers, staff and community members contacted during the course of work.
Ability to: Work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction.
Ability to: Work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communication, journalism, public relations, public administration, English, marketing, business administration or a related field.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public information or a related field.

Responsibilities

Develop communication goals, objectives and strategies.
Deliver strategic communication guidance to city subject matter experts.
Promote community awareness through communication strategies including informational materials and traditional and digital media.
Serve as a media liaison (and media spokesperson when needed), working with the media on stories about city issues, services, programs and events.
Develop and execute plans to communicate with internal and external audiences during emergencies, serving as a member of the Emergency Operating Center or spokesperson as needed. Participate in planning and training for these incidents.
Develop scripts and work with professional videographers to create content about the topic of interest to the community.
Plan and execute special events such as groundbreakings, ribbon-cuttings and community meetings.
Represent the city at meetings and make presentations as required.
Oversee graphic design, including providing content and working with professional graphic designers to create informational materials, in accordance with citywide brand guidelines.
Develop and oversee project budgets and contracts with consultants.