Communications Specialist II

This is professional and administrative work planning, organizing, and creating messaging and promotion for public information and public outreach campaigns, meetings, and programs.

An employee in this class performs communications and marketing work regarding special initiatives put forth by assigned City departments.

Works under the general direction of senior staff with opportunity for use of independent judgment in completion of assignments.  Work is reviewed for effectiveness and conformance to policy and professional standards.

Characteristic Work

Plans, organizes, and creates messaging and promotion for assigned public information and public outreach campaigns, meetings, and programs.  Writes and edits public information for press releases, advisories, alerts, public service announcements, publications, presentations, reports, articles, and videos.   Creates and proofreads content that can be modified and disseminated across various platforms including social media, traditional media, video, websites, and presentations.  Documents activities using photography, audio, and video recording equipment.  Interfaces between City departments to produce creative and compelling communications, feature stories, and marketing and promotional materials.  Creates multimedia projects including video, photography, print and web.  Assists with City press releases pertaining to major projects.  Prepares informational materials for meetings, presentations, and events.  Organizes public meetings and forums.  Assists with updates to City website and social media channels concerning public projects and improvements.  Posts information on a regular basis including photographs and videos.   Conducts routine City website auditing and makes recommendations for effective changes for assigned department websites.  Ensures all messaging and designs are consistent with the City’s branding.   Projects a positive, professional image of the City.  Compiles, documents, and maintains records of activities for use in reports and analysis.   Coordinates production of advertisements and printed meeting and related promotional materials.  Drives to meetings, events, and training.  Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing or advertising and a minimum of two years of professional paid experience in public relations, marketing, advertising, or journalism including social media.  College coursework may be substituted on a year-for-year basis with professional paid experience in public relations, marketing, advertising, or journalism including social media.  Possession of a valid State of Ohio driver’s license.

Knowledge of journalism, communications, and marketing principles and practices.  Considerable knowledge of current communications channels including traditional and modern media.  Considerable knowledge of website and social media guidelines and standards.

Considerable skill in written and oral communication.   Skill in the professional use of social media platforms.  Skill in photography, videography, graphic editing, desktop publishing, graphic design and word processing software.    Skill in creating and maintaining databases used for recordkeeping and data gathering.  Skill in problem solving and creative decision making.  

Ability to research, compose, edit, and proofread publicity materials.  Ability to write interesting and informative articles, news releases, and other publicity messages and materials.  Ability to plan, schedule and coordinate projects.  Ability to perform the basic functions of website content management systems.  Ability to organize and lead public meetings and forums.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals in the public and private sectors.  Ability to work independently and execute assignments with minimum supervision.  Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.  List of essential job functions available upon request.