Communication Specialist

C

City of Elkins

Communication Specialist

Elkins, WV
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Are you a creative, flexible Communication Specialist interested in local government service? Do you like a small-town environment, easy access to outdoor recreation, and a friendly workplace and community?

    ** This is an excellent opportunity to join a great team and have a rewarding career with a generous benefits package. **

    Job Summary:

    The City of Elkins is seeking a Communication Specialist to join our team. This role plays a crucial role in enhancing our organization's communication strategies and promoting our brand identity. This individual will be responsible for creating, implementing, and managing communication materials and campaigns that effectively articulate our message to various audiences, including employees, customers, and stakeholders.

    Job Duties:

    • Serves as a point of contact with the external community and media for general City information or as otherwise directed by supervisor.Receives, processes, verifies, and redistributes appropriate and accurate information to the general public and press.
    • Proactively identifies subjects for and drafts frequent news articles, blog posts, social media posts, and other content for public dissemination in print and electronic media formats.
    • Creates project specific press releases, speeches, and official talking points.
    • Assists with coordination, promotion and documenting of City events, activities, and projects.
    • Collaborates to draft, proof, and edit all fliers, pamphlets, brochures, and other documents intended for distribution by the City to provide consistent and professional information for the public’s use.
    • Incorporates branding into City media and other materials.
    • Participates in promotional events and trainings as the City’s representative.
    • Regularly prepares newsletters for City employees to inform of City activities, as well as matters related to employment.
    • Collaborate with supervisor, public safety officials, and other relevant officials to produce timely, effective messaging in urgent and emergency situations, including outside of regular working hours.
    • Proactively produces and maintains checklists and templates to ensure timely, consistent messaging, especially during urgent or emergency situations.
    • Exercises judgement and restraint when encountering criticism or complaints from the public on social media.
    • In consultation with supervisor and other administrative officers, provides periodic training to other city employees to ensure continuity of communication capabilities in the event of absence or other inability to assist, especially during urgent or emergency situations.
    • Receives, acknowledges, and either responds to or routes appropriately information requests from the public. Assists other city staff in preparing clear responses to the public involving technical information.
    • Take photographs and creates images for use on social and other media.
    • Serves as spokesperson for the city as directed by supervisor, such as by giving interviews to print, television, radio, and online media representatives, sometimes outside of normal working hours.
    • Assists media representatives in identifying sources among city staff, coordinates interviews, locates and supplies relevant information, and otherwise ensures free and transparent media access to the full extent allowed by law.
    • Attends daytime and evening council, committee, board, and commission meetings as directed by supervisor to maintain awareness of ongoing work and important actions and decisions.
    • Operates live streaming technology for meetings.
    • Occasionally serves as recording secretary at council, committee, board, or commission meetings in the absence of the city clerk or other employee usually tasked with this responsibility.
    • Manages a Word Press city website, including creation of new and editing of existing pages, maintenance of up-to-date staff and contact information, maintaining records about website hosting and related matters, and coordinating with website contractor to maintain backups and other safety and security features as per generally accepted best practices. Provides cross-training on website operation and maintenance as appropriate to other city staff, in consultation with supervisor and other administrative officers.
    • Participates in collaborative and information-sharing activities with other city and county governments and communications professionals, including those coordinated through the West Virginia Municipal League.
    • Maintains confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information related to City business and personnel matters.
    • Initiates telephone calls; answers telephone; screens and directs calls; takes and relays messages.
    • Operates a variety of computer software and hardware and other routine office equipment necessary to perform job functions.
    • Interacts effectively and professionally with co-workers, elected and appointed officials, the media, vendors, and the general public.
    • Attend training and meetings as necessary to maintain and enhance job knowledge and skills.

    ** Minimum Training and Experience** :

    • Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) in English, Journalism, Communications, marketing, Public Relations or other related field from a four-year college or university; supplemented by a minimum of two (2) years related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Strong understanding of social media platforms and digital marketing.
    • Proficiency in graphic design tools (such as Adobe Creative Suite or Canva) and
    • communication software.
    • Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
    • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
    • Creative thinker with attention to detail and a passion for storytelling.

    ** Physical Requirements** :

    The employee generally sits and often reaches with hands and arms; usually talks or hears; and occasionally stands; walks; stoops, kneels, crouches, or crawls. The employee occasionally lifts up to 10 pounds.

    ** What We Offer:**

    • Competitive salary and benefits package.
    • Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
    • A collaborative, and inclusive work environment with a life-work balance.
    • Hybrid-remote

    Interested candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter, and writing samples.

    Elkins , West Virginia is a dynamic and growing community of 7,000 people, serving as a tourism hub of the mid-Atlantic and a gateway to a vast outdoor recreation area that includes national forests, state parks, wilderness areas, ski resorts, hiking and biking trails, scenic train excursions and much more

    The City of Elkins is an equal opportunity employer including disability and protected veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.