Public Information Specialist Senior (Social Media)

City of Austin•Austin, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for the dissemination of news and information to the general public, City employees, and the media regarding departmental and/or Citywide programs. These duties may contribute to any or all of the following areas: marketing, public relations, media relations, and publication of documents for internal and external education and communication. The Public Information Specialist Senior (Social Media) will serve as social media lead for the department’s social media platforms and influencer collaboration. Primary responsibilities are managing overall social media strategy and content development, and measuring social media engagement, analytics and metrics. As part of ARR’s Public Information and Marketing division, this role will perform advanced research, writing, editing and production of materials for digital/social media channels for use by the media and the public. They will work with content creators and social media influencers; and will travel to multiple work locations throughout Austin to capture footage and images of ARR’s operations to execute content that helps tell ARR’s story in new and engaging ways. The successful candidate will be a professional with excellent diplomacy skills, and an empathetic and inclusive work philosophy. They will demonstrate the ability to focus and work well under pressure, including in emergency scenarios and crisis management. They are confident with their communication skills, are highly self-motivated, curious and creative, and develop relationships built on trust.

Requirements

Knowledge of public information, marketing, public relations, media relations programs.
Knowledge of the functions and organization of municipal government, to include the relationships between departments, divisions and agencies.
Knowledge of the principles associated with the role of meeting the necessary standards of customer service.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
Skill in using computers and related software.
Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
Skill in planning and organizing.
Ability to interpret policies and guidelines.
Ability to write articles for publication.
Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Ability to lead and train others.
Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity.
Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.
Valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date.
External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite.
Applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
Must provide three professional references, with one being your current or most recent supervisor.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading digital communication strategies; specializing in managing overall social media strategy and content development, and measuring social media engagement, analytics and metrics.
Experience with and knowledge of best practices for accessibility and ADA Compliance in digital communications.
Experience shooting, editing and producing videos and photos for social media.
Experience managing social media content during emergency scenarios and through crisis management.
Ability to travel to more than one location.
Excellent diplomacy skills.
Empathetic and inclusive work philosophy.
Ability to focus and work well under pressure, including in emergency scenarios and crisis management.
Confident communication skills.
Highly self-motivated, curious and creative.
Develop relationships built on trust.

Responsibilities

Works on assignments that are complex in nature where considerable judgment and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations.
Primary responsibility for larger individual projects or act as an account representative for client departments and programs.
Develops long-range strategic plans.
Writes plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and edits articles for publication in a variety of forms, including electronic publication.
Coordinates all aspects of production of marketing materials.
Performs media relations duties to include: media buying, news releases, and fielding questions from media.
Coordinates public relations duties to include: public and school education, presentations, tours of public facilities, and requests for information from the general public.
Designs, researches, writes and edits newsletters and releases for internal or external use.
Produces public service announcements and videos for promotional use.
May train and lead others.
Managing overall social media strategy and content development, and measuring social media engagement, analytics and metrics.
Work with content creators and social media influencers.
Travel to multiple work locations throughout Austin to capture footage and images of ARR’s operations to execute content that helps tell ARR’s story in new and engaging ways.