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Department

City Manager's Office

Employee Type

Probationary

Time Type

Full time

Salary Range

$31.0632 - $39.6056 Hourly / $64,611.46 - $82,379.65 Annually

Job Posting Period

October 23, 2024 - November 07, 2024 12:00 A.M.

Overview

Job Description:

Assists the Senior Communications Manager acting as media liaison assisting to produce newsletters and generating content for social media platforms (including photos, videos and infographics), and disseminating information to the community.

Essential Functions

Assists Senior Communications Manager with meeting the City's communications, public information, community outreach and marketing objectives.
Assists in the development of communications plans to support both short and long range organizational objectives.
Gathers information, writes news releases and disseminates news releases to media outlets and residents; posts news releases to website and social media.
Responds to requests for information from the media via a variety of methods including email, phone calls, text messages, and social media.
Proactively pitches news stories to media outlets.
Cultivates strong working relationships with local media representatives.
Reviews news stories for content accuracy.
Assists with media relations efforts in emergency situations.
On call to respond to media inquiries and unexpected situations that require community outreach.
Prepares staff members for media interviews and provides interviews.
Coordinates news conferences including recording and posting to social media channels.
Assists with the production of a weekly multi-media newsletter.
Develops, or assists in the development of, communication materials across multiple departments.
Develops content (including photos, videos, infographics) and administers social media platforms to engage residents and disseminate information about City activities and programs.
Generates digital and print graphics for public information, social media and marketing efforts.
Generates still photos and coordinates archives.
The intent of this class description is to provide a representative summary of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of classifications given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Incumbent may be required to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, public relations, journalism or other related field; and Two (2) years’ experience working in journalism and/or government or law enforcement communications with interaction with media outlets and social media platforms
OR Associates degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, public relations, journalism or other related field; and Four (4) years’ experience working in journalism and/or government or law enforcement communications with interaction with media outlets and social media platforms
OR High School diploma or GED and Six (6) years’ experience working in journalism and/or government or law enforcement communications with interaction with media outlets and social media platforms

Job Based Competencies

Knowledge of current principles, practices and procedures of communication, news gathering and social media.
Strong, accurate writer.
Knowledge of the Associated Press Stylebook.
Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
Knowledge of the principles of local government.
Ability to distill complex information under strict deadlines and write in a clear, concise manner.
Ability to produce and edit high quality video content from conception to posting on social media platforms.
Ability to multitask.
Ability to keep records and prepare reports.
Ability to determine appropriate opportunities to reach target audiences.
Ability to develop and maintain effective and positive interpersonal communication with all.
Computer experience including Microsoft applications, video editing, photo editing, and graphics design software is necessary.
Ability to work a flexible schedule, to be on call, and to work weekends/holidays on a rotational basis using a team approach for coverage.

Responsibility

Under the direction and responsible to the Senior Communications Manager or designated representative. No supervision exercised.

Physical Requirements

This is light work usually performed in an office environment and requires no unusual physical demands. Visual acuity is required for reviewing and maintaining computer and written files, and for observing civic meetings and activities. Incumbent is required to have sufficient hearing ability to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Manual dexterity to operate standard office computer, still camera, and other equipment is required.

Public Contact

Contacts are an essential component of this position. The incumbent interacts frequently with officials and employees of other City Departments and other City, County, State and Federal agencies. Contacts are for the purpose of obtaining and furnishing information, providing interpretations and explanations, facilitating resident participation, responding to questions, conveying the City's message and similar purposes.

Retirement Benefit

The City of Sarasota made the transition to become a Florida Retirement System (FRS) employer effective December 1, 2021. To learn more about what this benefit may mean for you, please visit MyFrs.com. Please note that if you are hired to work for the City of Sarasota as an FRS employer, you will be asked to complete a form to certify your FRS status, as there may be an impact to any FRS benefit you are already receiving.

I f you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Jake Brown our ADA Coordinator. Jake can be reached via email at Jake.Brown@sarasotafl.gov or via phone at 941-263-6299.

F or questions pertaining to general employment or job application status, please call 941-263-6476, or email HR@sarasotafl.gov

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