Senior Public Communications Specialist



Senior Public Communications Specialist

Salary

$6,287.21 - $7,547.67 Monthly

Location

Communications - City of Colorado Springs, CO

Job Type

Classified - Full Time

Job Number

14871

Division

Communications

Department

Communications

Opening Date

11/03/2022

Closing Date

11/18/2022 4:00 PM Mountain

FLSA

Exempt

Description / Position Overview

Senior Public Communications Specialist 

The City of Colorado Springs seeks a communications professional to assist in the strategic development, implementation, and coordination of public relations and crisis communications for City departments and services.


This position is in the City’s Communications Department, which is responsible for the management and dissemination of public information, including strategic marketing and community relations; media relations; videography and Springs TV; visual design; and digital and web services for the City of Colorado Springs – Olympic City USA. The Communications Department is the official source of information connecting citizens with their city. The department engages with civic partners to transparently promote city government while responding to the information needs of residents, visitors, staff and the general public.


Essential Job Functions - the basic job duties an employee must be able to perform:

  • Analyze communications needs to research, develop, write and edit strategic communications plans for City departments  
  • Connect and engage residents with their city services by utilizing an abundance of communication vehicles 
  • Help city staff in their execution of strategy to reach residents most effectively with the appropriate information and messaging 
  • Build strong relationships with local media community and partner to share accurate information, proactively and reactively 
  • Identify, research, and play a key role in the resolution of public issues that affect citizen opinions
  • Monitor, evaluate, and analyze the status of programs, situations, and events 
  • Advise and assist departments in the development of content for the City’s website and social media 
  • Provide 24-hour on-call assistance
We are looking for candidates who demonstrate:
 
 Knowledge of:
  • Public relations and crisis communications best practices
  • Strategic communications planning, publications and community relations procedures
  • Basic operations, services, and activities of a municipal public communications program
  • Basic press release writing and AP Style
Ability to:
  • Process information quickly and effectively
  • Exhibit excellent written/verbal communication skills; exemplary spelling, grammar, and punctuation; and strong proofreading/editing skills 
  • Organize, prioritize, and successfully implement multiple assignments simultaneously 
  • Stay current on new trends and innovations in the field of public and media communications
  • Excellent interpersonal communications skills and track record of building positive relationships 
  • Successfully engage stakeholders on existing and emerging issues
  • Perform effectively in a fast-paced political environment with multiple stakeholders
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships
  • Maintain confidentiality

Successful candidates will have

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, marketing, journalism, media, or a related field
  • Five years of full-time public relations, communications, digital media content creation, or marketing experience
One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.
 
Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements

Ideal candidates will also have

  • Experience coordinating citizen engagement activities 
  • Experience communicating with a large public audience
  • Experience in government or public policy 
  • Background in creating cross-cultural communications

Additional Information

The City of Colorado Springs offers additional compensation depending on the position, area of assignment, and specific job assignments, including shift differential, pay differential, acting or lead, special assignment, hazard pay, longevity, cell phone allowance, uniform allowance, relocation, awards, standby, call out, compensatory time off, tuition, overtime, extra duty, incentive, holiday premium, proficiency, and vacation sell back.
 
NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the position. 

The City does not sponsor applicants for work visas. 
If hired, you will be required to provide proof of your eligibility to work in the United States.
 
Apply to Join Our Team

  • Please visit Colorado Springs Jobs and click on ‘Apply for a City Career’ > ‘City Career Postings – Apply Now’ button to complete an online application. All job applicants will need to create a new login and online application (unless you already have a NEOGOV/governmentjobs.com user ID and password).
  • Completing your application in full, including the entire work experience section, will assist Human Resources (HR) in the applicant screening process. Your application may not be considered if all of the information requested for each employer you list is not provided.
  • Our NEOGOV application system does not allow you to edit your application after it has been submitted for a position. If you want to make changes, you may submit another application prior to the position’s closing date and time listed in the job posting. HR will review the last application you submit for a position.
  • The City's job classifications, including physical demands and descriptions, can be found on the website.
You can view the status of your application here.
 
To be notified of future career opportunities, go to coloradosprings.gov/jic
 
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Equal Opportunity Employer  


The City of Colorado Springs is committed to a culture that values our employees’ unique individual qualities and fosters an inclusive environment where people want to be. 

Improving your health, one benefit at a time. One of the more important decisions you can make for yourself, your spouse, and/or dependent is your choice of benefits, which part is part of the Total Rewards package.  We are proud to offer such an extensive selection of benefits to meet the needs of our employees and their families.  Our benefits program is designed to provide you with quality offerings that promote wellness, health care accountability and balance wellness of Life, Body, and Mind.

Your Total Rewards

Visit  Total Rewards to learn more about the philosophy.


City employees are members of the State of Colorado's pension system, Colorado PERA (Public Employees' Retirement Association). See Colorado PERA for more information.

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Pet Insurance through Nationwide
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                          UCCS HealthCircle logo                                                       UCCS Programs - Personal Training, Cooking Classes, Wellness Workshops



Face It Together
An addiction and recovery coaching program.
For employees and their loved ones
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The City has some unique benefits available to their employees (and family members) that enroll in the medical plan:

  • Access to the Employee Medical Clinic and Pharmacy
 
  • Teladoc gives you 24 hour access to doctors for acute medical issues and request behavioral health appointments through the your phone, via video, or mobile app
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  • Castlight allows you to review your plan, select a provider, and see your resources and plan perks all in one place.
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To view information regarding all the City's benefit offerings, please reference the 2021 Benefits Guide  

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01
Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, marketing, journalism, media, or a related field?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Do you have at least five years of full-time public relations, communications, digital media content creation, or marketing experience?
  • Yes
  • No
03
If yes, please explain, in written detail, your experience, including your role and where you gained the experience. If no, please write N/A.
04
Do you have Experience coordinating citizen engagement activities?
  • Yes
  • No
05
If yes, please explain, in written detail, your experience, including your role and where you gained the experience. If no, please write N/A.
06
Do you have experience communicating with a large public audience?
  • Yes
  • No
07
Do you have experience in government or public policy?
  • Yes
  • No
08
Do you have experience with creating cross-cultural communications?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Agency
City of Colorado Springs
Address
30 South Nevada Avenue, Suite 301

Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903
Phone
719-385-5171