Closes: Thursday, February 26, 2009
To view the complete job posting and apply,
please visit: www.bouldercolorado.gov
An application is required for all city of Boulder jobs.
Applications must be received by noon at 1101 Arapahoe on the closing date.
No exceptions.
HIRING RANGE: $69,250 - $83,120 Annually (DOQ)
SALARY RANGE: $69,250 - $110,800 Annually
OVERALL JOB OBJECTIVE
Under general direction of the City Manager or his/ her designee, plans, organizes, coordinates and implements a communication program (including Channel 8) to assist the City Manager with making information about the city, its initiatives and City Council activities available to the public. Responsible for integrating all forms of outreach and communications used by the City Manager, City Council and city departments into a comprehensive, coordinated effort to reach the public, other government agencies, and the media. Serves as the principal advisor to the City Manager, departments, other communication personnel within the city organization and City Council on all matters dealing with media relations and communication strategy for the city of Boulder government.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Examples of Essential Job Functions
1. Communication Consulting
- Provides advice and guidance to the City Manager, City Council and city staff concerning public relations issues and public impact of actual and proposed government actions, policies and decisions.
- Advises the City Manager, Deputy City Managers and City Council on communicating issues of citywide importance to the public.
- Serves as consultant for communication opportunities in all areas of the organization.
2. Strategic Planning for Communication Programs
- Identifies items of particular sensitivity to the City Manager and/ or City Council and ensures that communication strategies are developed and implemented and talking points are prepared and distributed to the City Manager, City Council and other city departments when appropriate.
- Plans, facilitates and develops comprehensive communication strategies and programs for the City Council.
- Develops and manages a proactive communication strategy for the City Manager, City Council, City Staff and all city government programs to advance the city's mission and goals, enhance community awareness and trust in the city of Boulder.
- Creates, coordinates, implements and manages a citywide strategy and plan for public information, media relations, and internal and external communications.
- Addresses communication issues, including developing communication strategies, generated from the neighborhood services programs.
- Meets regularly with communication liaisons and department heads to strategize on communication issues and develop communication-planning efforts.
- Researches, develops and implements throughout the organization a brand and communication strategy, standards and practices.
3. Communication Oversight and Media Coordination
- Ensures adequate preparation and technical support for all staff and City Council members who are interviewed by the media.
- Creates and maintains a unified voice for the city using multiple media outlets. Coordinates with communication staff, departments and City Council members the dissemination of internal and external news stories and communication efforts.
- Directs the monitoring and utilization of various city communication tools to keep current on issues and events developing within the city and to identify issues that are not being adequately communicated to the public.
- Oversees and directs the monitoring of news sources and outlets for coverage of Boulder issues to understand how information provided to the media is ultimately transmitted to the public.
- Keeps abreast of local events and attends meetings as needed to remain informed of city program activities and events in order to advise on the necessity, method and timing of news releases, news conferences, or potential public relations opportunities or issues.
- Attends all City Council meetings, official City Council events and public forums to ensure maximum and effective public relations and media coverage.
- Arranges and coordinates news conferences, special events and informational meetings by the City Council that create opportunities for public input.
- Supervises and develops communication staff.
- Evaluates operations and activities of assigned responsibilities and program areas; recommends improvements and modifications.
4. City Spokesperson
- Serves as lead spokesperson for the city or ensures that media contacts are linked to other spokespeople as appropriate.
- Makes presentations at public meetings and to various organizations, service clubs and other groups to explain City Council projects and programs.
5. Emergency Communications
- In conjunction with departmental communication staff, participates in emergency communications activities through the Emergency Communications Center (EOC); may report, or assign staff to report, to the EOC to provide media relations coverage.
6. Community Outreach and Public Relations
- Displays innovation and creativity in conceiving, planning, developing, and managing a variety of programs and projects to inform the public of the city's programs, activities, regulations, and administrative proceedings. Encourages public and business participation in such programs, activities and proceedings.
- Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal and external key stakeholders to ensure proper messaging of city beliefs and services.
- Recognizes public information and marketing opportunities. Assists and advises department staff in the planning, production, and implementation of those opportunities.
- Promotes public understanding of the city of Boulder, its programs, services, activities and events, through presentations to public representative community groups.
7. Channel 8 and Internship Program Oversight
- Provides supervision, leadership and management of communication coordinator, station director for Channel 8 and the city manager's office internship program.
8. Other:
- Performs related duties as required to meet the needs of the city.
- Takes proper safety precautions to prevent accidents. Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, and equipment. Uses all required safety equipment and follows all safety regulations, policies and procedures. Reports all accidents and damage to city property.
- Responsible for knowing and complying with all city and department policies; participating in professional trainings and development; and adhering to attendance and workplace attire policies.
REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Communication and Public Relations:
Thorough knowledge of current trends, developments and strategies in the public relations, marketing and communication fields. Advanced professional knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of public information, public relations and community outreach programs. Ability to predict and identify public relations opportunities and challenges to assist in managing a positive public image. Demonstrated skills in writing and media relations. Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills and experience serving as a media spokesperson in a variety of situations with a diverse audience.
Interpersonal:
Individual with political savvy who can maneuver through complex political situations effectively. Knowledge of how the organization works and how to get things done through formal and informal channels and networks. Ability to relate well to all kinds of individuals at all levels within the organization and outside the organization. Ability to deal tactfully in contentious situations. Extremely well developed human relations and interpersonal skills to adapt to diverse personalities and styles, facilitate group discussions and make formal presentations. Demonstrated skills in conflict resolution, problem solving, group facilitation, consensus building and staff supervision. Individual with composure who has the ability to be cool under pressure. Commitment to excellence in customer service. Ability to learn quickly when facing new issues; is a relentless and versatile learner who is open to change; analyzes both successes and failures for clues to improvement.
Ability to effectively cope with change; shift gears comfortably; and handle risk and uncertainty.
Ability to bring creative ideas of others to market; has excellent judgment about which creative ideas and suggestions will work. Ability to look toward the broadest possible view of an issue/ challenge; can think globally and discuss multiple aspects and impacts of issues and project them into the future.
Action-oriented individual full of energy for challenging tasks who enjoys working hard and is not fearful of acting with a minimum of planning.
Management:
Considerable knowledge of management principles and practices. Ability to plan, organize, supervise, and evaluate the work of employees. Excellent organizational and supervisory skills and demonstrated ability to resolve issues using own initiative, under minimal supervision and in difficult situations. Ability to prioritize and spend own time and time of others on what is important.
Knowledge of Government Processes:
Familiarity with privacy, public information and record retention laws, including those involving the handling of information and communication of a confidential and sensitive nature. Knowledgeable of public involvement processes.
Technical Skills:
Demonstrated ability to use computing software, including word processing and data base programs.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The skills and knowledge required would generally be acquired with a Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, public affairs, public relations, public administration or related field and a minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience with public relations/ communications/ marketing or any equivalent combination of education and experience. A minimum of two years experience, including proven success, in developing and managing a dynamic public relations program. Experience as the media spokesperson for an organization. Relevant work experience must have been completed or current within the five years prior to application. Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends, including availability for communication response to emergencies on a 24-hour basis. This includes, if other city communication staff are unavailable, responding to emergency scenes in which media are present until situation is resolved or until all media have left the scene. Valid Colorado driver's license and independent transportation to attend to all essential functions. Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history and credit history, and motor vehicle record.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS - In addition to the required minimum qualifications
Professional accreditation in public relations. Experience representing elected or appointed officials. Experience in a government communication setting. Experience working with or supervising public television media. Prior supervisory experience.
