Communications Manager

Safety/Security Status:        Security Sensitive

SUMMARY  The Communication Manager performs a variety of professional-level duties. This position managers all media communication and press releases for the City.  Works directly, and on behalf of Mayor, while representing the city in public events.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change to meet City needs or operational requirements.  Attendance at work and the ability to work well and collaborate with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position.

Responsible for ensuring the policy directives from the Mayor and Council are implemented.

News Releases & Media Interviews Research issues, writes & edits releases.  Alerts the media to events in the community.  Controls the nature and flow of information about events and communicates on regular basis with members of the media.  Alerts members of the media to potential stories of interest.  Develops a relationship of mutual trust with media contacts.  Manages communications between news media and other City staff. Guides media to the appropriate staff member when seeking information and interviews.  Prepares the staff member for questions/answers and often oversees the interview process.

Citizen Interaction and Outreach Oversees the handling of citizen and business complaints by channeling them to the appropriate departments for action.  As required, establishes and organizes public input sessions to channel feedback to relevant officials to determine which issues are of interest and concern to the public; assists City officials in developing appropriate responses to questions, comments and suggestions; develops articles of information for the City newsletter.

Public Events As directed, becomes responsible for activities and events that serve the public in supporting and celebrating our common goals, interests and accomplishments. Assists in the dissemination of information and media awareness of those events.

Student mentoring and Internships Assists in the establishment of a vibrant student mentoring and internship program. Works with City Staff to establish internship opportunities for high school and college-level students. Helps facilitate interaction between interns and staff for in person meeting and initial interview and validation of paperwork and credentials.  As needed, assists with written internship evaluation and grade assignment needed for the completion of the internship. 

Social Media Oversee city social media accounts for the City and be responsible for the following social media areas:

• Implementation of the City’s social media strategy and developing awareness of city services   and city initiatives though that strategy; adheres to and enforces City Social Media Policy.

• Creating, managing, and publishing social media content.

• Collaborating with City departments to support their respective missions, ensuring consistency in voice and cultivating an informed social media community.

Technical Skills Maintains the City website with communication updates.
Builds websites and web pages from ground up as needed, such as economic development sites, bond sites, and animal services sites.
Must have ability to read HTML code and possess computer skills to build and maintain web pages and websites.
Ability to evaluate software for communications needs.
Must be proficient in ADOBE for communications and forms management, to conduct City business department wide. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES  None

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE bachelor’s degree in communications or journalism. Previous media experience and/or public information operation experience preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS Excellent articulation and eloquence in speech is required.  Ability to deliver effective speeches and presentations to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. The position requires exceptional writing skills and the ability to prepare visual graphics and content.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY Able to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, professional groups and the general public.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS None.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust.

HEALTH BENEFITS     
The City of Bentonville is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time employees who work 30 hours per week. This year's benefits package can be viewed here:

https://www.bentonvillear.com/DocumentCenter/View/15032/City-of-Bentonville-2024-Benefits-Guide

WORK ENVIRONMENT  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.  It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description, but which are commensurate with similar levels of responsibility.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.