Responsibilities

• Perform advanced, professional work in developing and implementing strategic public information initiatives that support Environmental & Street Services mission and priorities.
• Manage complex public information projects from concept through completion, including planning, execution and evaluation. Monitor performance metrics to confirm alignment with objectives and apply insights to refine strategies.
• In coordination with Environmental & Street Services Education & Outreach staff, provide leadership to various targeted education campaigns (e.g. Recycle Right Durham, stormwater, street closures, supporting creative direction, messaging, social media, website and related content. Drive engagement through multi-channel strategies and performance analytics.
• Develop clear, accurate and audience-focused written communications to effectively convey Environmental & Street Services’ work to internal and external stakeholders. Coordinate city-wide or department public relations, communications, and/or marketing programs, activities, special events; prioritize projects; provide advisory consultation to senior management and other staff; develop and implements communication plans, policies, and procedures; coordinates logistics; researches trends; manages assigned budgets; and ensures compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Design high-impact communications (e.g. presentations, publications, graphics) that transform complex information into clear, engaging and easily understood messages.
• Design and manage print materials (e.g. utility bill inserts, reports, doorhangers, brochures, fact sheets), ensuring creative quality, brand consistency, timely revisions and efficient coordination with vendors. Design, edit and develop print, digital, social media, website, and other informational, communication, and promotional materials; designs graphics and layouts; writes speeches and letters; creates and posts website and social media content; prepares press releases and newsletters; takes photographs and directs and produces videos; and develops publications.
• Implement initiatives to ensure effective communications for all, including language access and alignment with digital accessibility standard.
• Collaborates with the media, business leaders, community officials, City departments, and/or external agencies; attends meetings and serves on committees; facilitates and fosters positive media relations including responding to inquiries, monitoring City coverage, and serving as a primary media contact for a department or city-wide communications; establishes strategic partnerships; and develops and conducts training.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or public administration, communications, or directly related field.
• Five years of professional communications experience, including media, social media and communications advisory experience.
• Successful candidate must have a valid driver's license.
• Background in environmental services to include solid waste collections and disposal, recycling, stormwater, street maintenance, engineering, and/or natural resources, environmental science and/or government, non-profit experience.
• Experience creating content for digital platforms and social media.
• Experience as a media contact or responding to media inquiries.
• Experience managing communications projects from concept through completion.
• Experience developing internal communications for employees.
• Experience ensuring compliance with digital accessibility or language access requirements.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams to coordinate messaging and campaigns.
• Experience evaluating communication outcomes and applying learnings to improve strategies.
• Knowledge of local government operations and environmental services preferred.