Job Summary: Under supervision of the City Manager, the Communications and Event Manager will coordinate strategic communications to encourage and deepen community engagement, increase event participation, and lead a proactive and transparent approach to connection with our resident neighbors. Acumen in building connection with media outlets through a combination of interpersonal and writing skills coupled with a fundamental understanding of modern communications practices grounded in narrative for a diverse audience served by both “traditional” media (publications, radio and television news outlets, promotional materials) with an emphasis on social media acuity. This role will assist in the creation, promotion and execution of City events and programs; respond to media requests; and provides information, and exceptional customer service to the public.
Essential Job Functions:
Strategic Content Planning and Programming
- Develops and executes strategic communications plans, including a daily stream of engaging community updates, frequent promotions, and ongoing public relations.
- Appreciation for and ability to articulate content performance measurement (i.e. analytics) including sentiment analysis, reach, engagement, and outcomes (e.g. increased event attendance).
- Ensures cohesive content voice in all communications efforts.
Communication
- Designs the City’s messaging and outreach.
- Coordinates the development, production, and distribution of publications and promotional materials and communications with a priority focus on social media and web-based communications.
- Formulates an advanced social media strategy that goes beyond Facebook (i.e. how to leverage each platform to maximum effect and a recommendation on which platforms are worthy of engagement and why).
- Updates and maintains the City’s website consistently and in a timely manner.
- Develops content and prepares monthly utility billing inserts.
- Maintains positive relationships with media representatives and responds to media requests in a timely manner.
- Implements the 2023 Strategic Communications Assessment.
- Edits, proofreads, and designs materials as needed.
- Develops remarks and key messages/talking points as needed for City spokespersons to use at City events, civic engagements, media interviews, and other public engagement activities.
Special Events
- Leads, organizes, and plans all community special events including but not limited to Christmas Tyme in Aledo, Christmas Tyme in Aledo on Ice, Aledo Fest, and Summer Blast.
- Manages Community Center rentals.
- Coordinates the Farmers Market.
Customer Service
- Provides a high level of customer service for the public.
Agenda Preparation
- Prepares and presents agenda items for City Council meetings.
Other Duties
- Prepares and manages department budget.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
- City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
Skill in:
- Using and growing social media platforms (not just Facebook).
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with various City departments, external government agencies, vendors, and the public.
- Operating a personal computer and various software programs, including working knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite, social media management, website CMS, and modern communications / creative tools such as CapCut and Canva.
- Is aware of the evolving emergence of new AI based tools and their application in communications (not just ChatGPT).
Education/Training/Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in content/communications-related fields such as English / film studies, communication, public relations, journalism, marketing, or public/business administration.
- Three years of experience with social media management and/or communications, or special events is required. Local government communications or marketing experience is preferred.
- Event planning.
- Certified Public Communicator is preferred.
- Graphics experience is preferred.
- A valid Texas driver’s license is required.
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
- Work is performed in a standard office environment with low to moderate noise level.
- Subject to sitting for an extended period of time, standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, and lifting.
- Putting away such items as records and office supplies of moderate weight of up to 40 pounds.
- Working with a wide variety of people.
E.E.O.C. The City of Aledo does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or military service in employment or the provision of services
