Responsibilities

• Lead the City's communications, marketing, branding, and public engagement efforts to ensure residents, businesses, visitors, and stakeholders are informed, connected, and engaged.
• Develop and implement communication strategies that promote City initiatives, programs, events, services, and priorities through a variety of platforms and channels.
• Manage the City's website, social media presence, digital content, newsletters, press releases, and other print and electronic communications to ensure information is timely, accurate, accessible, and engaging.
• Serve as the City's primary media contact by cultivating positive relationships with local and regional media and coordinating responses to media inquiries.
• Partner with City departments, committees, and leadership to identify communication opportunities, develop messaging, and support public outreach and community engagement efforts.
• Implement and continuously enhance the City's Community Engagement Plan and Language Access Plan to help ensure information is accessible and outreach efforts are inclusive of all community members.
• Plan, coordinate, and promote community events, public meetings, and engagement activities that increase participation and strengthen connections between residents and local government.
• Develop newsletters, annual reports, videos, presentations, graphics, website content, social media campaigns, and other communication and marketing materials.
• Monitor communication trends, technology, and best practices and recommend innovative approaches to improve public outreach, transparency, and resident engagement.
• Coordinate strategic projects and initiatives by providing project management support, conducting research, tracking progress, and assisting with implementation.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Business, Political Science, or a related field.
• Four or more years of professional experience in communications, marketing, public engagement, public relations, or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing, storytelling, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing websites, social media platforms, digital communications, newsletters, and marketing campaigns.
• Knowledge of graphic design and content creation tools, including Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong project management, organizational, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with community engagement, public outreach, or local government communications is highly desirable.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends to support meetings, events, and community activities.

Benefits

• 3 weeks paid vacation to start.
• 14 paid holidays
• 18 sick days per year
• Retirement benefits include a pension plan (VMERS C) or deferred compensation plan (VMERS DC), and the ability to contribute to a 457, Traditional IRA or ROTH
• Generous health insurance benefit in which the City pays 94% of the premium for medical and the first 80% of the deductible. After that, you are only responsible for the next 20%, which is not more than $600 for single plans and no more than $1200 for all other plans for covered medical expenses.
• 100% employer paid for dental and vision
• 100% employer paid short-term disability and life insurance
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program