Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of department-wide communications and engagement strategy that aligns with City of Missoula’s communications direction and best practices.
• Supervise department communications and engagement staff, including specific program staff who perform engagement as a primary function; assign and review work; conduct performance evaluations and trainings; participate in hiring, discipline, and termination decisions; provide support by correcting deficiencies and building strengths to ensure effective working relationships.
• Guide strategic communications planning for major departmental initiatives, policy development, and complex planning, development, and housing projects, ensuring communications clearly articulate the CPDI story and connects our work to the City’s long-term goals and community vision.
• Provide communications and engagement advisement to CPDI leadership, project managers, and cross-department teams to support clear messaging, stakeholder understanding, and informed decision-making.
• Act as CPDI’s lead media liaison, ensuring timely, accurate coordination of press inquiries and delegating interviews and responses to subject-matter experts.
• Oversee the development of public-facing materials, engagement plans, digital communications, storytelling tools, and data visualization products that enhance public transparency and understanding.
• Coordinate closely with the City’s central communications team to ensure consistent messaging, branding, public information processes, and crisis communication protocols.
• Represent CPDI in community forums, advisory groups, and public meetings to share information and facilitate meaningful engagement.
• Support proactive, equity-centered engagement strategies that reach diverse community members and reduce barriers to participation.
• Develop and maintain tools, templates, and guidelines for consistent and high-quality engagement across the department.

Requirements

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to seven (7) years of community engagement, public information, communications, public administration, or another relevant field
• Must have supervisory experience

Preferred

• Experience with municipal communications, public engagement processes, or data visualization preferred.

Benefits

• Market-Competitive Salary
• Work/life balance, including the possibility of flexible schedules and remote work opportunities
• $0 premium for health and dental coverage for employees and affordable premiums for family coverage
• $10,000 Employer-sponsored Accidental Death and Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy
• Options for supplemental life, disability, critical illness, and accident
• Constitutionally guaranteed retirement plan with the City contributing 8.77% of salary on your behalf and the ability to contribute to a supplemental deferred compensation program
• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Pre-tax flexible spending accounts
• The City of Missoula may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.