Director of Civic Engagement and Communications

City of Key West•Key West, FL

16h•$109,903 - $175,845•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Civic Engagement and Communications is a senior role that strengthens communication, coordination, and civic engagement across the City Manager’s Office, City Commission, departments, and the community. The position manages Commission-related communications, civic education programs such as the City Ambassadors Program, and citywide outreach and communications. Working closely with City leadership and departments, the Director ensures consistent, accurate, and accessible information for officials and the public. The role requires professionalism, discretion, political awareness, strong communication skills, and a solid understanding of municipal government, with frequent interaction across government, community organizations, residents, and media.

Requirements

Knowledge of public administration, municipal operations, civic engagement, public communications, community relations, and intergovernmental practices.
Knowledge of municipal organizational structures, legislative processes, public meetings, and the roles of elected officials and administrative staff.
Knowledge of Florida’s Government-in-the-Sunshine Law, public records requirements, and applicable communication and engagement requirements.
Knowledge of communication planning, digital platforms, public information practices, instructional methods, and adult learning principles.
Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, editing, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to explain complex or sensitive information clearly to diverse audiences and prepare accurate reports, correspondence, presentations, and educational materials.
Ability to coordinate cross-departmental initiatives; establish and monitor deadlines; obtain cooperation across organizational lines
Ability to exercise discretion, confidentiality, diplomacy, political awareness, and sound judgment when handling sensitive or controversial matters.
Ability to build effective relationships with elected officials, employees, residents, businesses, community organizations, and governmental partners.
Ability to plan and evaluate programs, manage competing priorities and deadlines, coordinate departmental contributions, and maintain accurate records.
Ability to assess communication effectiveness, interpret feedback, and recommend practical improvements.
Ability to work independently while maintaining close coordination with the City Manager and senior management.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, communications, public relations, journalism, political science, business administration, marketing, community engagement, or a closely related field.
Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in local government, public administration, communications, community relations, public affairs, civic engagement, or a closely related field.
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Experience working in municipal or county government.
Experience supporting elected officials or senior governmental executives.
Experience developing or administering civic education, leadership, citizen academy, or community engagement programs.
Experience developing communication plans and coordinating communications across multiple organizational units.
Availability to attend evening meetings and community events and support emergency communications as required.
Possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Experience involving executive-level communications, elected officials, governmental boards, community organizations, or significant public-facing responsibilities is preferred.

Responsibilities

Serves as a liaison among the City Manager’s Office, City departments, elected officials, and community stakeholders; coordinates Commission-related communications, requests, and follow-up.
Assists with agenda preparation and reviews supporting materials for clarity, accuracy, consistency, completeness, and readiness for public distribution.
Tracks Commission priorities, decisions, referrals, and assignments; coordinates responses and status updates with responsible departments.
Develops information standards and orientation materials for elected officials and facilitates communication with City administration within established policies and organizational boundaries.
Directs the City’s Ambassadors program and related civic education initiatives, including curriculum, speakers, scheduling, participant communications, program materials, graduation, and alumni engagement.
Explains City operations, finances, infrastructure, services, and decision-making through presentations, tours, demonstrations, and other educational activities.
Develops outreach programs, forums, workshops, surveys, and public input opportunities that encourage participation and inform City initiatives.
Builds partnerships with residents, businesses, neighborhood associations, nonprofit organizations, schools, and community groups, including populations that may not traditionally participate.
Collects and summarizes community feedback, evaluates participation and program effectiveness, and recommends improvements.
Develops and implements communication plans supporting City priorities, programs, services, and significant projects.
Establishes communication standards and coordinates departmental messaging for accuracy, consistency, timeliness, accessibility, and alignment with City policies.
Advises City leadership on sensitive or complex communication matters and prepares talking points, presentations, speeches, summaries, fact sheets, and other public information materials.
Coordinates communications concerning projects affecting multiple departments, including infrastructure, utilities, public safety, transportation, parking, and construction.
Coordinates timely public information during emergencies and significant incidents with Emergency Management, Police, Fire, and other designated personnel.
Serves as a public-facing City representative at meetings, programs, events, and community activities as assigned.
Oversees official City websites, social media, electronic newsletters, and other digital communication platforms.
Establishes content standards and coordinates with Information Technology and departments to maintain accurate, current, accessible, and consistent information.
Reviews content and communication practices for applicable public records, retention, accessibility, and policy requirements.
Monitors communication trends, public engagement, and platform performance; recommends improvements and coordinates responses to concerns or misinformation.
Leads preparation of the City’s Annual Report or similar publications, including schedules, departmental submissions, content verification, editing, design coordination, and distribution.
Compiles performance information, accomplishments, financial highlights, project updates, and supporting documentation for annual and periodic reports.
Coordinates assigned initiatives, community events, proclamations, recognition activities, intergovernmental communications, and special projects.
Represents the City at designated meetings and provides research, recommendations, and follow-up support to the City Manager.
Performs other related duties as assigned.