SUMMARY

The incumbent will develop and implement the City’s communications strategy, manage the organization’s external and internal communications and media relations. The City Administrator will serve as the principal supervisor for this position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: (Other duties may be assigned as needed)

1. Collaborate with the City Administrator to ensure message discipline and consistent professional quality in all business communications.
2. Collaborate with other departments to address messaging needs, and other public notifications.
3. Strengthen awareness around a clear, distinctive, professional, positive City identity.
4. Identify priority audiences for the City’s communication efforts.
5. Ensure consistent, timely, and appropriate delivery of the City’s messages.
6. Produce high quality, compelling news, and special interest articles for external and internal audiences.
7. Coordinate with City Administrator, other department directors and staff to ensure all external correspondence has a consistent, professional tone.
8. Work with appropriate staff to write, edit, and publish print newsletters, e-newsletters, periodic issue-oriented reports, blogs, or other social networking pages, etc.
9. Ensure that the City of Siloam Springs’ mission, vision, and values are constantly in the public eye.
10. Cultivate contacts with regional media.
11. Generate news and feature stories (i.e. bi-monthly update memo to City Board).
12. Organize media events; write press releases, talking points, public announcements, etc.
13. Assist with routine administrative and clerical tasks.
14. Manage city website and oversee edits and updates of departmental pages.
15. Coordinate public communications with all departments.
16. Assist with planning, advertising, promoting (including photography), and managing city sponsored events, attending events as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, including outstanding writing and communication skills, demonstrated experience in publication writing and editing, and ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people. Moderate photography skills recommended. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Associate’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or closely related field; three (3) years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access). Experience with Adobe or similar software is preferred. Experience with webpage creation and maintenance.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret complex instructions and documents using original and/or innovative techniques and styles. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to effectively present information on a one-to-one basis, to small and large groups as well as to department directors, managers, employees, clients, customers, the general public, and various Boards and Commissions.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent. Ability to create and interpret various graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

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

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS (if required)

Valid driver’s license.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactory, including outstanding writing and communication skills, demonstrated experience in publication writing and editing, ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of people. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Associates degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or closely related field; three (3) years related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access). Experience with Adobe or similar software is preferred. Experience with webpage creation and maintenance. Intermediate photography skills required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, write, analyze, and interpret complex instructions and documents using original and/or innovative techniques and styles. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to effectively present information on a one-to-one basis, to small and large groups as well as to department directors, managers, employees, clients, customers, the general public, and various Boards and Commissions.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent. Ability to create and interpret various graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

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

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS (if required)

Valid driver’s license.

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 talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include:

close, distant and color vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

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

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is/may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions and works near moving mechanical parts.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions and perform any other related duties as may be required by their supervisor.

* Safety sensitive position includes, but is not limited to, any job, assignment, rank or title where any of the following apply:

Subject to drug and alcohol testing or restrictions promulgated by the U.S. Dept. of Transportation; involves carrying, repairing, transporting or keeping of firearms or ammunition; includes performing any medical or life-saving procedures, or responsibility for procuring, storing, transporting, dispensing or administering any drugs or medical supplies or equipment; involves working with confidential information, documents or material pertaining to criminal investigations; procuring, storing, transporting or otherwise working with hazardous or flammable materials, controlled substances, food or electricity; involves operating, repairing, maintaining or driving heavy equipment, machinery, aircraft, motorized watercraft or motor vehicles, or working in close proximity thereto; a momentary lapse of attention may result in grave and immediate danger to the public, self or fellow employees; requires engaging in any other activity in which the employee is responsible for his or her own or other people's safety.

*Weather Essential position includes employees are declared to be all sworn police officers, all sworn firefighters, dispatchers, emergency road crew employees in the Street Department, and electrical personnel in the Electric Department.

*Civility and Professionalism- The City of Siloam Springs is a team-based service organization. Maintenance of good internal morale is essential to the City’s success. An employee is required to maintain professional and ethical behavior and act with integrity in all matters. The City of Siloam is committed to providing a work environment that is free from bullying, harassment, intimidation, abusive language, gossip, employees spreading discontent or exhibiting any behavior that is disruptive to the workplace and contrary to the City’s mission.

*Regular Attendance- Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at the City of Siloam Springs. Employees are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees also are expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule. Late arrival, early departure, or other absences from scheduled hours, that are not pre-approved or are excessive are disruptive and are to be avoided.