Public Works Strategic Communications Specialist

City of Vancouver•Park, KS

10d•$7,339 - $11,010•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Vancouver is seeking an experienced communications professional to serve as the strategic communications leader for Public Works—one of the City's largest and most visible service organizations. This is not a traditional communications role. We are seeking a trusted advisor, storyteller, strategist, and communicator who can help residents understand the essential services that support daily life—from drinking water and transportation infrastructure to environmental stewardship, emergency response, and community investment. The successful candidate will work directly with Public Works leadership to develop communication strategies for programs and projects, navigate complex public issues, support media relations, and tell compelling stories that connect residents to the work happening throughout our community. This position offers a rare opportunity to build and lead communications for one of the region's most impactful public service departments. This is a full-time, regular, exempt position.

Requirements

Five (5) years’ experience in professional communications, public relations or closely related field.
Experience in public sector is highly desired.
Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations or a closely related field.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Advanced abilities in Microsoft Office Suite and Publisher.
Advanced abilities in social media creation, posting, maintenance, and interrelation of multiple media platforms.
Advanced abilities in graphical layout, design, and production software.
Advanced abilities Adobe suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator).
Intermediate abilities in websites and other web tools.
Possession of a valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Expertise in community relations, including highly controversial, sensitive and/or complex assignments involving conflicting community interests and/or potential for significant financial or political impact.
Publications and communications productions in multi-media environment, as well as knowledge of graphical layout, design, and production software.
Principals of facilitation in small group and community group settings.
Community based social marketing techniques.
Robust knowledge of traditional media, social media and online communications.
Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
Use of personal computers and basic software
Understanding of community dialogue tactics and strategies
Knowledge of media tracking and leveraging analytics to support outreach strategies
Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to support outreach to diverse communities.
Convey complex issues and concepts in succinct and easy-to-understand language both in writing and verbally.
Generate ideas for enhancing an organization's image or reputation and pitching stories to the media.
Exercise a high degree of independent judgment as to appropriate information to share and how to present it most effectively
Counsel individuals in senior leadership positions and providing executive communications support, including elected officials.
Handle and maintain sensitive information
Writing, editing and grammar expertise
Public speaking and presentation
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with media, city staff, city officials and the public.
Work under pressure, meet deadlines and adjust to changing priorities.
Plan, organize and guide the work activities of others.
Work safely and in compliance with federal and state laws, City policy and standards.
Promote diversity and multi-cultural understanding in the workplace and the community.
Maintain a work environment free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Operate a personal computer and appropriate software
Work in a manner consistent with the City of Vancouver’s Operating Principles
Work and act as a team player in all interactions with other City employees
Provide a high level of customer service at all times
Project and maintain a positive image with those contacted in the course of work
Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful working relationships with team members and others
Maintain regular and dependable attendance
Demonstrate a commitment to valuing differences among people and to being inclusive.
Show the utmost respect for others, and act as a team player.
Promote safety as a guiding principle and a regular practice in accomplishing work by focusing on safe practices and complying with safety and health policies and procedures.
Recognize unsafe conditions which may be hazardous to an employee or to the public.
Works in safe and responsible manner; not putting self or others at risk.
Complies with applicable policies and procedures including but not limited to using personal protective equipment, observing warning signs, learning about potential hazards, and reporting all unsafe conditions.
Responsible for ensuring a safe workplace in compliance with applicable policies, procedures and regulations.
Ensures supervised employee review of the City Core Accident Prevention Plan, relevant safety policies and procedures, and training on illness and injury response and specific job-related safety concerns.
Reports and appropriately escalates all safety issues and all injuries.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic communications initiatives supporting Public Works programs, services, projects, and priorities.
Serve as a communications advisor to department leadership.
Develop messaging and communication strategies for high-profile, sensitive, and complex projects and issues.
Build and maintain productive relationships with media representatives and community stakeholders.
Support emergency and crisis communications efforts, including incident response and public information dissemination.
Lead communication planning for major infrastructure, transportation, utility, and environmental projects.
Develop executive-level presentations, speeches, talking points, and briefings.
Coordinate messaging with citywide communications and engagement teams.
Measure communication effectiveness and recommend innovative engagement strategies.