Under general supervision of the City Manager, serves as liaison for the City to the public on a variety of topics; administers community information programs and public outreach for Proposition 218 and other municipal hearings. Outreach platform duties include: research, write and edit press releases, social media management, design, and photo editing; website maintenance; designs, updates and publishes City Newsletter to residents and Employee Newsletter; single point of contact for the Press Enterprise, Record Gazette and for all interviews and requests for information; reviews City-wide outbound communication including legislative action letters; manages the programs and information broadcasted on the City’s cable television channel; performs administrative and analytical projects and other related duties as assigned. The incumbent is an “at-will” classification serving at the pleasure of the City Manager.

About the City of Banning The City of Banning is located in the San Gorgonio Pass area of Southern California. The community of over 30,000 people is diverse with income levels slightly lower than other areas of Riverside County. However, growth and development are occurring rapidly, which will create new jobs, increase the population and raise income levels. Our employees are the most important asset in preserving our proud history, creating a prosperous tomorrow, and in responding to the community’s needs. The City provides competitive salaries, outstanding benefits and professional growth opportunities.

City Vision

The City of Banning promotes and supports a high quality of life that ensures a safe and friendly environment, fosters new opportunities and provides responsible, fair treatment to all and is the pride of its citizens.

Core Values

Customer Service Excellence: We excel in what we do by staying responsive, flexible, patient, effective, and professional.
Integrity: We are ethical, accountable and compliant with our responsibility to the public and community.
Teamwork: We work together and maintain great communication and respect and foster a fun and enjoyable atmosphere to take pleasure in what we do.
Yes Minded: We recognize diversity and maintain a positive attitude to do all we can to serve the community in the safest and most responsible manner.

Performance Expectations

Leadership: Contributes to a positive work culture consistent with the City of Banning Leadership Philosophy, actively welcomes new approaches to public service and supports change and process improvements at all levels within the organization.
Teamwork: Demonstrates ability and willingness to work collaboratively with a team.
Communication: Communicates effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and individuals to who service is provided.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: This is a single position class that functions as a division head and is accountable for managing and supervising the day-to-day operations and activities of procurement for the City. The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification. Shown are duties intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

Establishes, promotes and maintains effective relations with the media and advises officials, departments and employees on how to properly frame issues and present information to facilitate public understanding; serves as the primary contact person with the media to ensure a single staff source providing the most accurate information.
Develops, manages and administers strategic communication plans; prepares and oversees the drafting of speeches including the annual State of the City, press releases, public service announcements, brochures, flyers, pamphlets, newsletters, annual reports, articles and scripts for City officials and staff to educate the public and enhance the City’s public image including assisting with “branding” the City.
Keeps informed on City programs and projects and provides advice on the method and timing of press releases, press conferences, and media events. Identifies opportunities for promoting the City’s programs and projects. Plans, organizes and implements multimedia events and special public city campaigns for various projects, programs and issues.
Effectively uses the City’s cable television channel to disseminate information through community education projects; promote public awareness campaigns and community relations’ initiatives.
Coordinate and implement communication strategies regarding both normal and emergency municipal operations.
Coordinate and implement programs to assess customer satisfaction and to promote positive customer relations.
As directed, communicate with influential sites, blogs, and other online communities to develop positive relationships, promote community content, and drive traffic to city website and social media pages.
Develop, implement, coordinate, and maintain programs and activities which focus upon various community problems (social and economic) and the improvement of inter-group relations within the City.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

City, County, State and Federal statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes, administrative policies and other operational guidelines and directives pertaining to local government operations.
Principles and practices of public administration, journalism and public relations, including understanding of requirements of various media.
Requirements of the Freedom of Information Act, Public Records Request Act and the Brown Act.
Individual and group dynamics including volunteers and community-based organizations.
Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and software.
English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations
Community and multi-cultural structures, issues, and tensions.
Research techniques, sources, and availability of information, and methods of report presentation.

ABILITY TO:

Read, understand, interpret, and apply relevant City, County, State and Federal statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes, administrative orders, policies and procedures and other operational guidelines and directives.
Manage and coordinate the work of technical and administrative support personnel.
Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff.
Effectively handle a variety of assignment simultaneously.
Analyze and evaluate data and prepare comprehensive reports and studies.
Communicate clearly and concisely.
Analyze a variety of complex problems with emphasis on those related to community relations, political, and social processes, and community needs.
Prepare oral presentations and written reports.
Represent the City effectively in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, boards and commissions, and the public to build consensus among participants.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, executive staff, employees, media and the general public and to operate effectively regardless of circumstances.

SKILL TO:

Operate a computer and applicable software. Understand the organization and operation of the local government.
Write creatively and edit reports and publications covering a wide range of submit matter.
Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects and/or demands.
Work within deadlines to complete projects and assignments.
Work effectively with diverse, multi-cultural, religious groups.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major work in public administration, sociology, political science, communications, or a closely related field.
Three to five years of work experience in public administration that preferably includes professional experience involving the development and coordination of public affairs, public information, community outreach and social media marketing, community relations and complaint processing; the development, administration and delivery of social oriented community-based programs; and working with culturally and ethnically diverse groups; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
A valid California Driver License must be obtained prior to start of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Three to five years of work experience in municipal government with major work in communications, public relations, community outreach and public information.WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Indoor office environment with moderate noise level and subject to constant interruptions. May be required to work outside the traditional work schedule. May be subject to call out and/or call-back.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, and turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement, and fine coordination in preparing documents and reports and data using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near vision in reading correspondence, statistical data and using a computer, and acute hearing is required when providing phone service and communicating in person. May be required to lift and/or carry heavy, bulky supplies, materials, equipment and/or items weighing up to 40 pounds. It is critical that the individual in this position meet established customer service objectives and provide staff leadership in customer service to technicians and administrative support, other city employees and consultants.

The City of Banning is an equal opportunity employer.

City of Banning

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Communications Manager/Public Information Officer