Description:

Under the direction of the Mayor and Chief of Staff, this position leads and assists internal and external City communications. Establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with City staff, community and government leaders, news media and constituents. Assists in crafting strategies to advance the City’s communications goals internally and externally.

Serves as content manager and trains users to update website content. Provides information to the City staff and public on a broad range of programs, services, issues, and policies through publications of the City, newsletter, City web page, and other mechanisms of communication both written and verbal. Prepares press releases, brochures, and organizes educational efforts to better inform residents, as needed.

Implements communications and event strategies that create, improve, and maintain a favorable public image for the City. Coordinate external communication, enhance internal communications, and work with outside agencies, including the media to build and improve relations. Assist in the implementation of goals, objectives, policies and procedures of the Mayor’s Office. The incumbent will assist in the administration of all related public relations, Mayoral/Chief of Staff mailings, and other general administrative support.

Salary Range: $64,655 - $75,735

Benefits:

Vacation, Sick Leave, paid holidays, and personal days
IMRF pension, voluntary 457 & Roth IRA options through Mission Square and Metlife
BCBSIL PPO, HMO, H.S.A. insurance options, Metlife Dental, Eyemed Vision and Dearborn life insurance
Employee Assistance Program, Legal Shield, Washington National, Aflac, NCPERS and Public Service Loan Forgiveness
$50,000 Guaranteed Life Insurance for employee through Dearborn Life, Supplemental available for employee, spouse, and children

Essential Functions:

Understanding of trends and best practices of social media, Intranets, websites and other communications vehicles.
Maintains current relevant information on the City website.
Consult with departments to determine requirements and clear Internet/Intranet objectives.
Ability to implement web solutions by performing needs assessments, researching solutions, evaluating solutions, proposing solutions and developing implementation strategies.
Excellent command of grammar with working knowledge of AP Stylebook or equivalent Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Strong problem solving, critical, creative and innovative thinking skills.
Experience coordinating events, working collaboratively as a team and in an individual capacity.
Develops and coordinates the research, data collection, and writing of articles, reports, editorials, and other material for publication in the City newsletter and e-newsletter.
Develops and maintains a positive and cooperative relationship with local media (media management).
Provides information and promotes North Chicago to the general public by utilizing various public relations activities.
Coordinates promotional events including groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
Performs other duties as requested or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Able to respond, if called upon, during various City emergencies to provide essential information to the public.
May assist in other projects and/or tasks as assigned directly from the Mayor and/or Chief of Staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

The incumbent must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities in order to successfully perform the essential functions:

A Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Journalism, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university is preferred or experience fulfilling educational requirements; in addition to experience with municipal government or non-profit organization is preferred.
Preferred a minimum of two (2) years hands-on public relations, communications, and event planning experience.
Good project management skills, and the ability to balance multiple priorities.
Working knowledge of the field of marketing and community relations.
Excellent communication skills, including; writing, speaking, and listening as well as skill in developing communications and presentations applicable to the desired audience.
Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations with limited standardization; the ability to interpret information and instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
Ability to read, understand, and interpret policies, procedures, statues, local ordinance, rules and regulations, journals, newspapers, memos, letters, reports, financial reports, and legal documents.
Demonstrated skill in word processing, spreadsheet, database management, presentation, calendar and email, graphic design and desktop publishing.
Demonstrated skill taking digital photographs, using newsletter software programs, and demonstrated skill using image editing software; such as Photoshop.
Demonstrated skill in the use of the Internet and other electronic means of communication and distribution of municipal information.
Ability to supervise, train and effectively manage volunteers and part-time staff.
Establish and maintain good working relationships with general staff, city officials, employees, and union representatives, and the general public.

Special Licenses & Requirements:

Night and weekend work may be required.
Valid driver's license and good driving record or the ability to obtain.

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