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Communications Specialist - Digital Media

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Communications Specialist - Digital Media

Salary

$60,928.00 - $86,906.00 Annually

Location

50010, IA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

24-0609-01

Department

City Manager

Division

City Manager

Opening Date

05/07/2024

Closing Date

6/3/2024 12:00 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

MERIT

Residency Requirement?

No

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.

General Information

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

Under supervision of the Communications and Outreach Manager, this position performs a variety of communications and public information duties for City departments in support of the goals and mission of the City of Ames. This position will also assist in other communications and marketing functions, including production of materials such as brochures, fliers, reports, and presentations; advertising and marketing pieces; special event promotion; photography and videography; assists with intergovernmental relations; and performs related duties as required.

In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.

Compensation Philosophy:

The City of Ames has a compensation philosophy that the starting pay for our merit salary ranges establishes the salary for employees who meet minimum requirements of a position. The median of any merit salary range is for an employee who can reasonably meet all expectations of the position responsibilities without initial extensive training. In order for employees to have an opportunity to grow within their position, we may consider a candidate's education, experience, and skills above the minimum requirements when looking at a salary closer to or slightly above the median. The median for this position is $73,917 annualized.

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits (https://www.cityofames.org/government/departments-divisions-a-h/human-resources/employee-benefits)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit:

PSLF Program (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation)

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Develops and disseminates City related news and events through a variety of digital communication channels, including social media pages, the City website, citizen engagement tools and more. Maintenance of these digital communication methods includes, but is not limited to, writing copy, design elements, and layout. Performs day to day maintenance of City’s website and coordinates with City departments to integrate content and information to be disseminated. Provides support of the day-to-day content of all City social media channels. Assists with writing, designing, proofreading, and disseminating news and information in all formats utilized by the City; assists in production of other communication materials including brochures, fliers, newsletters, reports and correspondence with the media and the public. Identifies new and emerging social media trends and shares new opportunities for our brand. Tracks trends in social media platform usage and analyzes the data; uses the analysis to strategically place future content. Responds to both inquiries and comments on all City used social media platforms. Assists with coordinating and implementing City and departmental special programs and events. Assists with implementation of the community brand in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders/partners. Conducts research projects, assists with the preparation of budgets, reports, mailing lists, presentations, and proclamations. Drafts letters and other communications as necessary. Serves as backup media relations contact to Communications and Outreach Manager. Actively supports all efforts with award nominations, special PR campaigns, speeches, and talking points. Performs other duties and assumes other responsibilities as apparent or assigned.

Other duties: Available for occasional events during the weekends and evenings, when needed. Regular work week would normally be Monday through Friday.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Associate’s degree in journalism, communications, marketing, graphic design, or other related fields from an accredited institution is required; a bachelor’s degree in similar field is preferred. Must have at least one year of full-time experience in journalism, public relations, communications, or marketing field, including 6 months experience creating and posting content regularly to major social media platforms for an organization or business.

License and Certifications:

Requires valid Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of current public and private sector communications best practices and commitment to staying abreast of evolving trends and technology. Knowledge and ability to apply correct business English, spelling and arithmetic, and compose sentences, paragraphs, and letters in an effective manner. Knowledge and ability to produce copy and accurately proofread. Knowledge of internet usage and various internet and social media platforms and current social media practices. Knowledge of journalistic writing and Associated Press (AP) style. Knowledge of and ability to manage confidential information and adhere to all laws pertaining to privacy, accessibility, and public records. Basic knowledge of contemporary standards of professional journalism. Basic knowledge of local government functions, organization, and processes.

Proficiency skills in the operation of a computer, software programs (including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Adobe Creative Cloud), website backends (Content Management System), and other technology necessary for communication of public information using multiple dissemination tools. Effective verbal and written communication skills are required; must have the ability to fairly and accurately present complicated issues to the public; must be able to maintain positive working relationships with City officials and departments, media representatives, outside agencies, local/regional/state/federal officials and agencies, community organizations, local businesses, and the general public.

Ability to make presentations utilizing effective oral and written communication techniques, and to speak at public meetings and events on behalf of the City. Ability to produce and edit videos for City departments. Ability to coordinate and create professional networks amongst individuals, departments of the City, and peers of the City. Ability and skill in sound time management, organization, and project management. Ability to react and adjust quickly in a dynamic work environment. Ability to represent the City professionally and effectively to diverse audiences. Ability to research technical information regarding City operations and summarize it for communication to the public. Ability to meet established deadlines. Ability to keep regular and reliable attendance at work.

Supplemental Information

General Physical Characteristics: Light work exerting up to twenty (20) pounds of force occasionally and/or up to ten (10) pounds of force frequently. Requires walking or standing to a significant degree. Requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling arm and leg controls.

Vision Requirements: The minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with preparing and analyzing written material, computer terminal, extensive reading, visual inspection or assembly of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Required Physical Activities: Kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pulling, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.

Environmental Conditions: The work is performed in an office environment, primarily. The job requires sitting for extended periods, the work may expose the employee to visual strain, unpleasant social situations, significant work pace pressure, and irregular works hours and locations.

Equipment Used to Perform Essential Functions: A variety of general office equipment and computer equipment and software, a variety of printed materials (technical manuals, etc.), a wide variety of audio-visual recording and editing equipment and software, cameras, calculator, mobile devices, telephone, fax machine, photocopier, and car or other City vehicles.

Selection Process:

The selection process consists of an evaluation of education, experience and supplemental question responses; phone interview; hiring assessment; on-site interview, which will include a manager meeting and written exercise; and completion of reference checks and a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.

Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.

Depending on the number of qualified candidates, the City may forego phone interviews.

E-Verify Process:

The City of Ames participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered a position with the City of Ames must complete Section 1 of Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity on their first day of employment. Please be prepared to provide required documents on your first day of employment. For additional information regarding acceptable documents for this purpose, please contact Human Resources at 515-239-5199 or go to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services web page at: http://www.uscis.gov.

NOTE: Applicants with disabilities may submit requests for ADA testing or interview accommodations to the Human Resources Department prior to the test or interview.

The City of Ames is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Human Resources Department at 515-239-5199.