Responsibilities

• Serves as principal media contact & spokesperson, supporting transparent & timely public information.
• Develops proactive communications/marketing strategies; coordinates responses to media inquiries & emerging issues; oversees content across web, social media, video, print, & other channels; supports public communications during emergencies & incidents.
• Advises City leadership & departments on communications opportunities, public messaging, & sensitive issues; recommends strategies to bring public attention to & involvement with initiatives.
• Produces educational & informational news content related to City services, functions, & events; prepares & launches a variety of promotional messages & public awareness campaigns in various formats, including press releases, newsletters, professional journals, website content, public presentations, videos, radio shows, mail campaigns, media outlets, & social media venues to assist in educational & branding efforts.
• Organizes press conferences; supports emergency public-information operations, including coordination with emergency management; serves as Public Information Officer.
• Engages & informs citizens by providing timely, accurate, concise & strategic information regarding organizational initiatives, projects, services, & programs; meets with citizens, neighborhood organizations & other groups to answer questions & provide service information.
• Performs continual assessment & use of analytics to evaluate reach, public understanding, & effectiveness; builds collaborative partnerships with local media, agencies, & organizations.
• Reviews organizational webpages & other electronic forms of information to make recommendations regarding form of message, content, timeliness, communication approach & grammar.
• Manages open records requests & approves release of City information in accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act.
• Direct oversight of division staff.

Requirements

• Possession of a valid Kansas driver’s license required.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, journalism, public relations or related field.
• Three (3) years of public relations, marketing or relevant work experience.
• Strong communication skills; demonstrated competency regarding the use of current electronic media & engagement tools, desktop publishing, & graphics software.

Preferred

• Two (2) years of supervisory experience preferred.

Benefits

• 60 hours of vacation available upon hire; additional 60 hours earned during the year (120 hours in first year).
• 96 hours of sick leave during first year.