Responsibilities

• Serves as the Town’s primary communications professional and official spokesperson, under the direction of the Town Manager.
• Coordinates communication efforts across Town departments and assists with messaging related to projects, initiatives, public impacts, service changes, and strategic Town priorities.
• Drafts and distributes press releases, public notices, newsletters, talking points, scripts, and other communication materials.
• Supports crisis communication efforts in coordination with the Town Manager, emergency services leadership, and other departments.
• Attends Town Council meetings and prepares public-facing summaries, updates, and informational materials related to Council actions and Town initiatives.
• Manages and oversees the Town website, social media platforms, newsletters, and digital communication strategy, under the supervision of the Town Manager.
• Develops and maintains branding, visual identity, and communication standards for Town materials and public-facing content.
• Monitors communication trends, public feedback, and digital engagement metrics to improve communication effectiveness and resident accessibility.
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with residents, businesses, nonprofits, schools, churches, civic organizations, downtown stakeholders, and community partners.
• May serve as a liaison between the Town and community organizations to improve communication, coordination, and public awareness of Town initiatives and services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public administration, public relations, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license.
• Availability to attend evening meetings, community events, emergency response activities, and weekend functions as needed.
• Experience with website management, social media administration, graphic design, video production, photography, branding, and public communication strategies preferred.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze information, operate a computer, do extensive reading, and perform visual inspections.

Preferred

• Desirable Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in communications, public administration, public relations, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Considerable professional experience and/or local government experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience with website management, social media administration, graphic design, video production, photography, branding, and public communication strategies preferred.
• Availability to attend evening meetings, community events, emergency response activities, and weekend functions as needed.