Communications & Events Specialist (City of Bondurant)

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Under administrative direction of the City Administrator, leads and performs responsible, professional and technical communications, plus recreation and event planning and managing as required. Serves as communications manager for the City’s activities and marketing for all media formats and provides advice and direction to City departments. Develops and manages a communications strategy that provides relevant information on the community, delivers a consistent message on the City organization, and projects a positive public image. Works to see that residents and businesses have multiple options to be informed and engaged on City services and community issues. Manages special projects, consultants, and events assigned. This is a permanent position and compensated on an hourly basis. Directly responsible to the Parks & Recreation Director but collaborates with and takes directions from all department heads. 

The following duties are illustrative of this position and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

• Develops organizational publications including but not limited to brochures and public information pieces on a wide range of issues affecting the City and its residents using various graphic design software packages; manages the City’s Bondurant Living centerfold; manages the City’s email distribution list; develops and publishes community guide information for the community. 
• Conducts research and community surveys and make recommendations on complex administrative projects and issues. 
• Coordinates the City’s community relations functions; prepares news releases and media alerts; develops and maintains effective working relationships with media contacts; responds to media requests for public information and coordinates communications on city issues, or matters of public interest, affecting the City and its residents. 
• Coordinates city communication efforts in times of crisis, natural disaster or emergency. Capable of acting as city spokesperson and works in close coordination with Bondurant emergency services and Polk County Sheriff’s officials. 
• Manages every aspect of assigned events or programs, from the advance planning stages through the end of the event/program; cultivates, trains, schedules, and supervises all event volunteers/staff interacts with a variety of contractors and volunteers to ensure events run smoothly. 
• Oversees the park shelter and building reservations; processes special events permits; coordinates borrowing agreements; synchronizes communication among key stakeholders; promotes overall participant and lessee satisfaction and experience. 
• Handles day-to-day operation of recreational activities for all ages; organizes and executes recreational activities as approved by the Park & Recreation Board; and staff the Parks and Recreation Board. Maintains detailed recreational activity event history; actively pursues fund raising efforts for recreational use; accountable for Park Department budget. 
• Maintains the City’s website as directed, calendar of events, and mobile app content. Creates an overall communications strategy for the City and develops and maintains the vision of the City website. Coordinates with all departments that provide routine information updates to the website and other communication formats. Coordinates the development of future online solutions impacting the city and its residents. 
• Manages and directs the use of social media tools to communicate City information and leads the development of policies regulating the use of such tools. Develop practices to integrate various departmental social media presences with the goal of enhancing and amplifying unique departmental attributes while fostering a unified City presence. 
• Maintains city photo/video library for use in communications/marketing materials. May occasionally serve as event photographer and/or videographer and assist with production. 
• Manages access to and integrity of City-branded items (letterhead, templates, stationery, etc.) to ensure staff can easily access appropriate materials and to maintain integrity of City brand and image. Disseminates and encourages organization – wide use of common templates, fonts, etc. 
• Works with each department in the City to develop unified marketing and communications plans to ensure all forms of communication are coordinated, timely, and accurate. Promotes City programs through various platforms. Builds trust and rapport with staff within each department. Prepares materials for and assists in the presentation of matters to the City Council. 
• Meets regularly with partner agencies and various community organizations to coordinate marketing activities, events, and information. 
• Stays current with changing technological capabilities and recommends options to provide better information to the public. 
• Develops, implements, and evaluates a variety of recreation programs and activities for youth, adults, families, and seniors, including wellness, enrichment, and community engagement opportunities; assesses community needs and participation trends and recommends improvements or new offerings.
• Performs such other duties as may be reasonably expected of an employee in this capacity and in a small office setting, which may occasionally include assisting customers at the counter and answering phones at the Station location or City Hall. 

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Education and Experience
Knowledge of communications practices and procedures, and software appropriate for updating website, and filing systems; familiar with computers with special emphasis on public relations; knowledge of current principles and practices of public administration, policy development, and operations function within a municipality; knowledge of social media practices; experience with website maintenance and newsletter publication is required; ability to meet the public and to demonstrate courtesy under stress; possess above average writing skills and math skills; demonstrate ability to work effectively in stressful circumstances.

Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with major course work in communications, marketing, public administration, leisure services, or related curriculum. Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) preferred.

Two to five years of experience in the public sector preferred. Experience managing social media, websites, newsletter creation, and demonstrated ability to provide targeted messaging and presentations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong writing skills to edit or author public correspondence, news releases, presentations, and newsletters.
• Excellent interpersonal and public presentation skills are necessary. Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the City Council, Mayor, boards, agencies, departments, coworkers, city consultants, contractors, builders, architects, developers, press, and the general public.
• Ability and willingness to learn quickly and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology.
• Ability to solve a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to comprehend non-verbal symbolism and abstract concepts.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of public or business administration, communications, marketing, and economic development.
• Ability to develop policies, plans, and procedures for assigned topics.
• Ability to independently comprehend and implement City policies and procedures while being responsible for assigned projects in the Department.
• Have active knowledge of Microsoft Office products, publishing software, websites, and social media.

Required Special Qualifications

1. Shall possess or be able to obtain a valid Iowa driver’s license and have a good driving record for the past three years. 
2. Shall be generally available for off-hour meetings and/or work assignments.