Position Description
The City of Rochester invites applications for the position of:
Communications & Engagement Coordinator
Rochester Public Library
The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to
ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.
We believe
EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.
It takes us all working together
Communications & Engagement Statement of Intent
Consistently engage and clearly communicate news, opportunities, and information to community members in an inclusive, transparent, and thoughtful way that allows their voices to be heard and incorporated into the work of the City of Rochester.
Nature of Work
The Communications & Engagement Coordinator plans, implements, and leads communications and community engagement activities supporting Rochester Public Library.
Under the direction of the Library Director, this position serves as a lead consultant to the Library and supports coordinated communications, public information, and community engagement efforts. The Communications & Engagement Coordinator works closely with library divisions to develop, maintain, and implement effective short- and long-range communication strategies, policies, and practices.
This role helps build proactive, clear, and consistent two-way communication between the library and residents, businesses, organizations, visitors, and other stakeholders. Responsibilities include developing processes and tools that support transparent communication, accessible information sharing, and meaningful community engagement. The position supports direct community engagement by developing and implementing an annual marketing plan to promote library services, resources, and strategic initiatives identified in the Library Master Plan and Strategic Plan.
Work includes supporting communications and engagement for a range of often includes amplifying messaging from city and county government, supporting organizations, and community partners.
Pay: 2026 salary is $92,267 to $108,550 based on qualifications, with advancement to $135,688.
Schedule: The typical work schedule 8 AM - 5 PM Monday through Friday with evening and weekend work based on the timing of community events. This is a mostly in - person role, with occasional remote work available.
To have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by Monday, August 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.
Duties And Responsibilities*Create and maintain a positive public image for Departments and divisions through preparing communications, making presentations and serving on various groups within the community.*Prepare annual library marketing budgets, securing marketing services and manage contract services. *Provide guidance to library divisions and projects for communications and equitable engagement activities.Serve as a Public Information Officer (PIO)* ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Plan, develop and implement marketing, communications and public awareness strategies.
- Develop and implement departmental and division communication plans in alignment with strategic goals and objectives.
- Create and implement effective communication/awareness campaigns that have wide-ranging or long-lasting impacts on the community.
- Establish and cultivate channels of communication between the Library, residents, businesses and community stakeholders that provide a better understanding of the community’s wants, needs, and interests related to the City.
- Develop communication material (news releases, website content, enewsletters, PowerPoint presentations, publications, special articles, scripts, newsletters, social media content, etc.)
- Provide support to the Data and Outcomes Supervisor with survey projects that collect pertinent library user information about community behaviors, needs and opinions that can further inform Department activities, including the City’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
- Utilize data and analytical tools to strategically market to and engage with community members, particularly those from often underrepresented groups and evaluate effectiveness of marketing and communication plans.
- Act as one of the primary contacts for the media and conduct interviews on behalf of the Department. Coordinate interviews with subject matter experts as necessary.
- Within the community and organization, ensure increased understanding and support for Departmental and division programs, services, and policies.
- Represent the library at community events and presentations.
- Plan, develop and disseminate information designed to keep the community informed of the Library's value, programs, services, and accomplishments.
- Work with teammates to coordinate consistent branding for the City and its partners.
- Ensure materials produced by the Department meet standards for appropriateness, readability, quality, digital accessibility and plain language.
- In collaboration with Departments and divisions, develop a budget for annual marketing, communications and engagement efforts.
- Develop solicitations and/or Request for Proposals (RFP) for marketing and communication services.
- Oversee the creation and/or procurement of various media including, but not limited to: print, broadcast and social media advertising.
- Act as the administrator for library tools, including but not limited to: the library website (GovStack), calendar software (Library Market), and email marketing software (OrangeBoy).
- Serve as the communications and engagement liaison and project manager for library divisions and supporting organizations (Rochester Public Library Foundation and Friends of the Rochester Public Library).
- Ensure relationships with teammates and key organizational stakeholders are developed and maintained and in a way that fulfills Library Master Plan, Strategic Plan, and Action Plan goals.
- Serve as a connector between Departments and divisions with other communications and engagement teammates.
- Advise teammates on organizational best practices and make recommendations.
- Serve as a Public Information Officer (PIO) during an activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and/or the Joint Information Center (JIC).
- Participate in educational and training opportunities.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or closely related field and three (3) years of full-time, progressive experience performing public relations, community engagement, marketing, or similar duties.
OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may also be considered.
If this work interests you but you are unsure if you meet all the job requirements listed above, please apply anyway! Your experience is likely more applicable to the role than you think, and the City is interested in candidates who can bring not only technical expertise but a variety of lived experience to the team.
Licenses
A valid driver's license
Desirable Qualifications
Ability to coordinate the preparation of educational materials for non-English speakers.
Ability to use the following software products or their equivalent: Savannah OrangeBoy, GovStack, CMS, InDesign and Adobe Illustrator.
Fluency with a second language, particularly with Spanish or Somali.
Additional Information
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as: Sedentary Work : Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Continuous demands: sitting; simultaneous use of hands, wrists and fingers in working with a computer.
Frequent demands: fine dexterity
Occasional demands: standing; walking; lifting; carrying; pushing/pulling; reaching; handling; bending; twisting
Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing and touch.
Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:
NONE (not substantially exposed to environmental conditions)
