Director Public Affairs

City of Chattanooga • Chattanooga, TN

1d • $78,051 - $94,294 • Onsite

About The Position

Incumbents in this position are responsible for media relations which includes press releases, on-air/on-camera interviews, and social media posting to facilitate the timely release of information to the community. Incumbents are also responsible for leading and managing the Public Affairs Department to maintain and improve the relationship between the assigned department and the public it serves. Work is performed with general direction, working from broad goals and policies. The Director of Public Affairs is a stand-alone position.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Business, Public Administration, or related field with five (5) years of community-based interaction and program management experience; or any combination of education, training, and experience which provides requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, activities, principals, and practices relating to the position; budget development, management and public funding mechanisms; City and regional issues; customer service and public relations principles; project management principles and practices; applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• High-level of skill in working with elected officials, the media, and the public in a proactive, informative and responsive manner, especially in dealing with sensitive issues surrounding community interests.
• Decisive with strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, and the general public, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines; comprehend and apply regulations and procedures of the department; ability to perform duties under a moderate degree of stress related to duties that require constant attention to details and tight deadlines; ability to collaborate with external organizations in a leadership and/or consultative role; ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, other departments, staff and supervisors to ensure effective and harmonious working relationships; ability to interact effectively with elected officials and the general public; to use a computer, social media, and related software applications; to analyze a variety of data and make recommendations based on findings; to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, to organize and prioritize work; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and those contacted in the course of work.

Responsibilities

• Serves as liaison to business, professional, religious, community and civic groups for continuous positive public relations.
• Create and maintain a budget for newsletters, brochures, flyers, banners, displays, posters and other marketing materials and coordinates the printing and distribution of items.
• Develops, prepares, implements and distributes educational and promotional materials, videos and other collateral materials to publicize services, programs and events for assigned areas of responsibility; coordinates the dissemination of materials.
• Coordinates with vendors for distribution of outgoing materials, including television, radio and print.
• Responds to questions, complaints and requests for information by telephone, in person or by mail from citizens, city employees and department heads.
• Reviews complaints, identifies trends, and discusses plans for correction.
• Reviews and evaluates reports in regard to constituents and community stakeholders.
• Responds to or initiates a variety of endeavors with various community groups relating to special projects and events.
• Speaks to media, community, civic, religious, business and professional groups to provide information and positive public relations concerning activities and initiatives of the department.
• Prepares and disseminates news releases containing important department messages.
• Plans and directs division in carrying out the overall functions and day-to-day operations relating to community affairs and public relations.
• Responds to news media inquiries; informing the public and maintaining the department’s reputation and integrity.
• Coordinates special events and develops outreach opportunities.
• Develops and implements comprehensive programs to publicize the assigned department and its interests.
• Develops and maintains strong relationships with the media.
• Collaborates with executives to advise them on public relations techniques, publicity programs, demographic trends, and potential problems and opportunities.
• Supervises and evaluates assigned staff, handling all employee concerns, directing work assignments, counseling and disciplining employees when necessary, and completing employee performance appraisals.
• Creates, implements, and manages the division’s budget.
• Uses, carries, and answers their cell phone for business purposes as determined by the assigned job duties and department head.
• Must meet regular attendance requirements.
• Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.
• Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees.
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director