Communications Officer

Lead the development and execution of the City’s internal and external communications strategy to promote transparency, strengthen public trust, enhance community engagement, and support organizational priorities. Responsible for overseeing strategic communications, emergency and crisis communications, media relations, digital communications, community engagement, branding, creative services, and public information initiatives.

• Oversee organizational branding, public information campaigns, digital communications strategy, media relations, and creative services to ensure consistent and effective messaging across all platforms. • Work closely with City leaders to determine key organizational communication priorities and objectives. Lead the strategy and development of communication plans for major City projects, initiatives, programs, policy changes, and special events. • Manage development of communications campaigns to support organizational objectives, and communicate to residents and employees. • In collaboration with Communications leaders, support the development of shared internal policies and procedures to improve how the team collaborates and communicates. Ensure policies and procedures are easy-to-find, up-to-date, and regularly reviewed. • Lead development of customer service standards for Communications team. Improve efficiency and effectiveness of Communications’ shared workflows, including evaluating and implementing technology as needed. • Facilitate professional development for the Communications team by managing the learning and development budget, coordinating training opportunities, developing team onboarding resources, and planning workshops. • Facilitate and support implementation of strategic planning for Communications, including communication and reporting to the broader team. • Lead communication efforts during multi-agency response emergency situations, and serve as the City’s designated Public Information Officer when an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is activated. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to provide timely and accurate information during crises or public emergencies. • Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols and readiness plans, including support of preparedness exercises. • Oversee all communication channels, including but not limited to, websites, social media, CityLink and One Team Portal. • Develop and lead the city’s community engagement strategy and partner with other city departments. Lead in the creation and management of community-engagement platforms. • Partner with Information Technology division to identify and implement communication technologies, digital engagement tools, and emerging solutions that improve operational effectiveness and citizen engagement. • Supervise employees and make recommendations relative to hiring, discharge, layoffs, suspensions, disciplinary actions, adjustment of grievances, and participate in performance evaluations of employees under his/her jurisdiction. • Perform other such duties and functions as assigned or as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.