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

• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, public administration principles and practices, including program planning, budget development, staff supervision, and strategic communications management.
• Skill in developing and implementing communications and engagement strategies across multiple platforms and audiences.
• Skill in operating office equipment, various computer software and databases, including Microsoft 365 and the ability to learn job-specific applications and equipment, such as GIS based communication tools, engagement platforms, and graphic or data visualization software.
• Skill in public speaking and presentations, with the ability to share complex information clearly and support productive dialogue in a variety of settings.
• Skill in policy and program communication, including translating technical material into accessible public information.
• Skill in managing multiple projects with shifting priorities and timeline demands.
• Skill in organization, time management, and prioritizing with the proven ability to have keen attention to detail and accuracy in performing work with adherence to strict deadlines.
• Skill in communicating, in person and in writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain current knowledge of best practices in civic engagement, public information, digital communications, community development, and urban planning communication.
• Ability to maintain and exhibit integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

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.
• Additional Benefits Package Information Is Available Here.