Community Relations Coordinator

This is a full-time position in the City Manager’s Office. Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Community Relations Coordinator performs a variety of complex public relations activities including developing, planning and coordinating a comprehensive community relations and marketing program for the City. This position will focus on increasing the visibility of the City in the community, the region, and the state. Plans, develops, creates, organizes, and facilitates public information and coordinates citywide publications, events, and information and citizen engagement activities. This position promotes awareness and understanding of City services, policies, projects, issues and creates new approaches to solve complex public affairs issues.

Work is performed independently and in a team environment, and requires considerable use of initiative and judgment.

Excellent Benefits Package: (See Benefits Tab for more details.)

Full-Family, Medical, Dental and Vision Care Insurance.

Medical Savings Program (HRA/VEBA) – 3.5% of wage contribution from the City.

$50,000 Life Insurance, AD&D, and Long Term Disability.

Retirement – State of Oregon PERS/OPSRP Retirement Plan – 100% fully City paid.

Twelve holidays, three weeks vacation, and twelve days sick leave accrued per year. Requirements for Consideration:

Must attach a resume.

Must attach a letter of interest that specifically demonstrates how you meet the job qualifications for the position.

Attach one work related sample, of your choice, that illustrates work you have done using a social media platform.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:
These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization. This position:

GENERAL

Design, write, edit, proofread, update, and publish City communications, including:

Print and digital publications

Media releases

Staff communications

City website content

Social media content

Work closely with the City Manager, City Council, and City department heads to develop and implement key communication messages.

Provide general public relations counsel to City departments, including:

Assisting with media relations programs

Marketing City programs

Coordinate the City’s cable channel programming.

Post, monitor, and support social media content.

Write/revise speeches for the Mayor and/or City Councilors.

Attend regular City Council meetings and work sessions.

Take photos for publication and community relations purposes.

Serve on multi­department task forces as needed.

Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the City Manager or designee.

Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.

Must have the ability to handle job stress and interact effectively with others in the workplace.

Must be honest and truthful in all tasks and responsibilities.

Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance. COMMUNITY LIAISON

Conducts interviews, gathers information, obtains photos, and selects graphics for use in City publications. Oversees process from production to delivery.

Plans, leads, and coordinates public outreach, citizen engagement, and education activities. Plans, organizes, and coordinates events to promote the City’s vision and mission.

Conducts city­wide information activities in conjunction with other departments to enhance connectivity between the community and the City, and expand public understanding.

Remains current on technical developments, coordinates speakers for City events, and organizes public forums and hearings.

Conducts surveys and polls, as necessary with the public and community groups to identify information needs or opinions regarding programs, policies, or procedures. Staffs public meetings and public events such as special events coordinated by Parks and Recreation. May serve as City liaison and represent the City at other community events and in interactions with other community agencies.

Helps facilitate resolutions to issues arising from citizen complaints, acts as liaison for City departments, and coordinates meetings on issues related to complaints when needed. COMMUNITY & MEDIA RELATIONS

Recommends actions to enhance opportunities for the City to become a leader in the information field through multimedia avenues such as print publications, the Internet, video productions, and social media.

Develops and maintains good working relations with members of the media. Responds timely to inquiries from the media. Follows up with City staff to obtain, compose, and review information for the media.

Researches and writes press releases, Q&As, articles, and other content for publication.

Facilitates the development and implementation of video productions for the City.

Provides oversight of City government cable channel, including programming, and schedule;

Responsible for gathering and producing information for the community board on cable television station.

Develops special programming for broadcasts or webcasts as needed. MARKETING

Assists in formulating and implementing a comprehensive communications and marketing plan utilizing a variety of communications techniques to reach targeted audiences.

Assists other departments in developing and implementing communications plans for specific projects or activities as needed.

Prepares and distributes all needed graphics in support of job responsibilities including fact sheets, talking points, news releases, website articles, photographs, scripts, articles or videotapes that publicize the City’s programs and services.

Creates and directs the creation of brochures, posters, flyers, advertisements, and other promotional materials of various departments to ensure a consistent City message and branding.

Seeks thought leading content and posts material as appropriate on social media sites.

Tracks and monitors media placements, industry trends, and social media benchmarks.

Analyze, review, and report on effectiveness of campaigns to maximize results and help evolve marketing strategies. Core Competencies:

Individual Contributor: Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential:

Communicativeness – Effective performers recognize the essential value of continuous information exchange. They actively seek information from a variety of sources and disseminate it in a variety of ways. They use modern technologies to access and circulate information. They take responsibility for ensuring that their people have the current and accurate information needed for success.

Composure – Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances. They are able to demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation and continue performing steadily and effectively.

Customer Service – Effective performers attend to customers in a timely manner. They view the organization through the eyes of the customer and go out of their way to anticipate and meet customer needs.

Drive/Energy – Effective performers have a high level of energy and the motivation to sustain it over time. They are ambitious and passionate about their role in the organization. They have the stamina and endurance to handle the substantial workload present in today’s organizations. They know that a healthy work/life balance is important to sustained energy. They are motivated to maintain a fast pace and continue to produce even in exhausting circumstances.

Functional/Technical – Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty. They add organizational value through unique expertise in a functional specialty area. They remain current in their area of expertise and serve as a resource in that area for the organization.

Integrity – Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly. They apply ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities. They take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.

Initiative – Effective performers are proactive and take action without being prompted. They don’t wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility, and act on it. They make things happen.

Learning Agility – Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge. They are curious and want to know ‘why’. They learn quickly and use new information effectively. They create and foster a culture of interest, curiosity, and learning.

Positive Impact – Effective performers make positive impressions on those around them. They are personable, self-confident, and generally likable. They are optimistic and enthusiastic about what they do, and their excitement is contagious. They energize those around them.

Problem Solving/Decision Making – Effective performers are able to identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment. They isolate causes from symptoms, and compile information and alternatives to illuminate problems or issues. They involve others as appropriate and gather information from a variety of sources. They find a balance between studying the problem and solving it. They readily commit to action and make decisions that reflect sound judgment.

Sensitivity – Effective performers value and respect the concerns and feelings of others. In the workplace, this compassion translates into behaviors that communicate empathy toward others, respect for the individual, and appreciation of diversity among team members.

Team Player – Effective performers are team oriented. They identify with the larger organizational team and their role within it. They share resources, respond to requests from other parts of the organization, and support larger legitimate organizational agendas as more important than local or personal goals.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
Ideally, three (3) years of professional experience in public relations or affairs and/or marketing. Direct experience with local government is desirable; and

Graduation from high school, preferably supplemented by college course work in the areas of public relations, marketing and communications and/or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with journalism, broadcast media, public relations and graphic design.

Requires possession of a valid driver’s license by date of hire. New employees establishing resident status in the State of Oregon must obtain an Oregon driver’s license within 30 days (ORS 807.020 (1)).

Requires completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
To Apply: City of Medford employment application must be completed online via the City’s website www.cityofmedford.org . Position is open until filled. The City of Medford complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you consider yourself disabled and desire assistance in the application process, please contact the Human Resources Department by telephone: (541) 774-2010 or email: humanresources@cityofmedford.org .

Selection Process: Applications, resumes, letters of interest, and work related samples will be reviewed by the City Manager’s Office. Candidates most closely meeting the City’s needs will be referred for interview and other testing procedures with final appointment by the City Manager. Selection procedures and time lines subject to change. Those selected must be able to provide proof of legal right to work in this country. Hiring will be subject to a favorable pre-employment exam, including a criminal history background investigation.

Follow these steps to apply:
1. Click on Career Opportunities on the City’s website.

2. Click on this position.

3. Click Apply on top right hand side of screen.

4. Create a user name and password and fill out application.

Veterans : Clearly describe for Supplemental Question #13 transferable “Knowledge and Skills”, obtained in the military, which are listed under the Job Qualifications section of this recruitment.

POSTING: 2017-4