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Communications Specialist - Engagement

Organizational Mission and Core Values:
We believe Fridley will be a safe, vibrant, friendly and stable home for families and businesses to be achieved by focusing on the core values of being responsive, driven and friendly.

Job Summary:
The Communications Specialist – Engagement is responsible for developing and implementing internal engagement, external engagement, outreach, communication and general support of the Communications and Engagement Division. This position brings skills in marketing, communications and creative community engagement to build multi-faceted relationships with elected and appointed officials, residents, neighborhoods, community groups, businesses agencies and City staff. This work is accomplished through creative design of print and digital media that is shared through social media campaigns, special events, volunteerism, and programming.

Scope of Responsibility:
As part of the City’s creative team, the Communications Specialist works collaboratively with other departments to help advance the City's digital and in-person engagement and public participation. This position assists in the City's overall communication efforts to meet the goals, objectives and timelines identified by division.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Assists in promoting the City’s vision, goals, and activities to citizens, businesses, community organizations and community leaders.
2. Facilitates the City’s internal communication strategy through ongoing refinement of the Division’s plan, instructing and leading staff in effective communication tactics, facilitating content creation with departments and providing timely performance statistics of the City’s internal engagement efforts.
3. Manages and plans community events that connect residents and community members to City services, programs, volunteer, and partnership opportunities. This includes maintaining relationships and communicating with the City’s Neighborhood Ambassadors, overseeing the annual Night to Unite, City-wide garage sale, community blood drive and other city events.
4. Leads the City's Resident Survey program from design to reporting, including developing survey questions, coordinating with the external surveyor, and translating elected officials' priorities into actionable research. Provides performance reporting on broader citizen engagement and feedback efforts.
5. Facilitates through planning, promoting and implementing City outreach events. Attends community events and meetings to network, build partnerships, make presentations and share information about the City and community resources.
6. Plans and manages production of the City newsletter and Recreation Activity Guide.
7. Assists with general communication tasks, including email and social media campaigns, copywriting and other communication needs for the City.
8. Prepares information for City websites, marketing emails, social media content and videos.
9. Conducts presentations within the community and to the City Council and advisory commissions on community engagement programs, events, projects and initiatives.
10. Assists with preparing emergency communications, when necessary.
11. Maintains awareness of current and future trends in communications best practices.
12. Assists in other City Manager’s Department projects or events, administration functions, including City-wide events, meetings, trainings, City Council and advisory commission activities, elections, or community meetings as needed.
13. Provides cooperative work and back-up to the Communication Specialist – Marketing, when needed.
14. Performs other duties as assigned or apparent.

Minimum Qualifications:
1. Four-year degree in public relations, journalism, communications, political science, community planning, liberal arts, social science or related field, or a combination of two-year degree with required experience.
2. One to three years’ experience in planning and coordinating events, organizing people and groups, or marketing and communications.
3. Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
4. Possess a valid driver's license with good driving history.
5. Ability to work flexible work hours that periodically include evenings and weekends.
6. Finalist will be required to successfully complete and pass a thorough criminal background investigation and reference check process along with a pre-placement drug test.

Desired Qualifications:
1. Staff or volunteer development experience.
2. Previous experience as a volunteer.
3. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite.
4. Knowledge of operating contemporary production equipment such as cameras, audio mixers, editing and graphic equipment, etc.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1. Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Teams.
2. Basic knowledge of social media platforms and analytics tools.
3. Ability to interact tactfully and positively, including working collaboratively, with the general public, elected officials, businesses, outside agencies, and City staff.
4. Project management experience and strong organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
5. Knowledge of video editing principles and the use of related tools such as cameras, lighting and sound equipment.
6. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with people of diverse ethnic, economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.
7. Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including making presentations and performing trainings.
8. Demonstrated ability in being creative and self-directed while performing collaboratively with a variety of different groups, levels, and agencies.
9. Ability to work independently and prioritize work.
10. Ability to handle, discern and maintain confidentiality and propriety information as required and in compliance with policies and directives.
11. Ability to provide excellent customer service, support and consultation to employees, other departments, staff, etc.
12. Ability to provide effective public speaking and presentation skills.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
Work is performed in the office and occasionally in the field. Headaches, eyestrain, and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury in the office. Work is light duty with ability to lift, carry or push up to 25 pounds. Extensive keyboarding may put incumbent at risk for repetitive motion injury or eyestrain. Exposure to angry, hostile, or uncooperative persons will occur.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

EEO/ADAAA
May 2026

The City of Fridley will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

Core Competencies and Abilities:
Quality of Work
• Maintains a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrates the ability to use resources productively, effectively, and efficiently.
• Demonstrates the ability to think proactively, anticipates potential problems, and provides workable solutions and alternatives with a ‘can do’ approach.
• Develops and maintains good working knowledge of job responsibilities and prescribed procedures, which facilitates the efficient performance of duties.
• Takes initiative to utilize job knowledge to analyze situations, resolve problems, and reach decisions.
Quantity of Work
• Exhibits good organizational and time management skills: plans and schedules completion of work accountabilities in order of priority, making the most effective use of time.
• Self-motivated and works independently: demonstrates willingness to assume new and challenging assignments.
• Demonstrates ability to work well under pressure, utilizing resources effectively.
Professional Conduct/Integrity
• Demonstrates knowledge and actions consistent with the City’s values and the City’s code of ethics and conduct.
• Demonstrates high moral principles and professional standards with others through truthfulness and sincerity; makes ethical decisions.
• Shows respect for others’ ideas, perspectives, and styles.
• Demonstrates appropriate business etiquette and social skills.
Customer Service
• Provides information, options, and/or solutions to inquiries, concerns, and/or requests from the diverse public in a respectful manner.
• Maintains the City’s reputation of providing a high-level of customer satisfaction.
Communication
• Demonstrates the ability to develop and maintain working relationships to produce results, and a work environment that builds rapport and trust.
• Communicates professionally and effectively with internal and external customers through spoken and written correspondence, including emails.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Listens well; respects viewpoints different than own.
• Contributes knowledge, experience, and feedback appropriately to others.
Safety
• Maintains a safe work environment by complying with City safety policies and procedures, and attends necessary trainings.
• Performs duties with consideration to minimize risk. Reports safety concerns to appropriate parties.
Accountability and Dependability
• Adheres to all City policies and procedures.
• Competently performs all required job duties.
• Maintains an acceptable record of work attendance, and punctuality in accordance with City and Department requirements.
EEO/ADAAA

Employee Acceptance
The statements within this Job Description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the employee but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required. This Job Description is not an employment agreement or contract and is subject to change at the discretion of the City of Fridley.
___ Employee accepts job responsibilities as outlined in this Job Description.
___________________________________________________________________________
Employee Signature Print Name Date

___ Supervisor/Department Manager has reviewed with the employee the job responsibilities as described in this document and has discussed expected standards of performance.
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Supervisor/Manager Signature Print Name Date