Director of City Council Communications and Community Engagement

CLASS SUMMARY

THE SPOKANE CITY COUNCILSEEKS A HIGHLY SKILLED, EXPERIENCED AND VISIONARY PROFESSONALTO SERVE AS ITSDIRECTOR OF CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

THE POSITION

The Director of City Council Communications and Community Engagement (Director) has the day-to-day responsibility to support the Council and its staff in providing the public with accurate, timely, and relevant information using effective digital, written, and visual communication as well as soliciting responses from the public.

The Director will be primarily responsible for creating and implementing a communications strategy that informs community members, stakeholders and the media about City Council activities, including digital media, news releases, briefing materials for Council and committee meetings, and other communication tools to support the City Council's work.

This position will support media requests, news conferences and other communication-related events. This role will also be serving as the coordinator for Council's digital media presence on the City's website and other platforms, designing the strategy, content and participation.

The ideal candidate will thrive in an innovative, community-oriented, fast-paced environment and will not hesitate to roll up both sleeves, work hard, have fun, and get the job done.

This position reports to the Council President and works closely and equitably with all Council Members and Council staff, ensuring all information available for release is accurate, clear, concise, confirmed and approved by the appropriate entity before release to the media or public. The Director may act as trainer, evaluator and project lead to other staff.

EXAMPLES OF JOB FUNCTIONS

The following Responsibilities and Requirements are functions that the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation.

• Directly collaborate with Council and staff to support them in identifying topics, gathering data, quotes, graphics, photos and other visual media in support of Council communications and then effectively conveying them to the public via a variety of media.

• Create a communications tool kit for Council and staff and coach them in how to effectively utilize those tools both generally and on specific issues as they arise.

• Collaborate with council staff to create written materials such as: social and other digital media content, news releases, media advisories, speeches and material as requested.

• Work regularly with the media to proactively inform journalists of accurate information in regard to City Council activities, respond to inquiries, direct them to appropriate Council, Mayoral or departmental spokespersons and serve as a spokesperson for the department as directed by the Council President on an "as needed" basis.

• Organize and assist with media briefings/news conferences on an "as needed" basis, utilizing council staff in their areas of expertise.

• Develop plans and strategies to communicate City Council activities after engaging with Council staff to identify needs, including an annual strategic communications plan utilizing success metrics.

• Develop effective public outreach and engagement strategies approved by the Council President in coordination with Council Members and Council staff, in an effort to generate broad public input on Council plans and initiatives that result in meaningful changes to those plans and initiatives based on that public input.

• Develop strategies for City Council and staff to engage with historically marginalized communities that will build equity and inclusion in city government.

• Oversee basic layout and/or production design of City Council presentations, communications, digital media, publications, and reports.

• Assist Council Members and council staff with Cable 5 duties such as the monthly Council Connection show and the weekly Council Report.

• Develop and implement a digital and social media outreach strategy.

• Collaborate with Council Members and staff to develop a consistent method of delivery for internal and external media, monitor for feedback, and inform Council Members and staff on a regular basis concerning response metrics.

• Participate with weekly administration communication staff meetings with other city communication professionals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The position of Director of City Council Communications and Citizen Engagement for the Spokane City Council is a leadership role with a number of key expectations and abilities necessary for success. The Council is seeking a Director with:

• Bachelor's degree in business, English, journalism, advertising, marketing, communications, political science, public relations, or related field.

• Professional communications experience writing in the voice of an elected leader or organization.

• Current or recent experience working in or with news media.

• Ideal candidate will have proven record of related career accomplishments such as 5+ years' experience in communications, journalism, and/or related fields. 10 years' experience preferred.

• Proficiency with all commonly-used social and digital media.

• Familiarity with multi-media software such as Adobe, Photoshop, and Microsoft products.

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodations):

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; push, pull, lift, and/or carry light amounts of weight. Also, ability to set up display equipment and to travel to and from locations and meetings.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity/race, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or veteran status.

EXAMINATION DETAILS

Application materials should demonstrate:Extensive Knowledge of:

• Government and community processes and structures.

• And experience and familiarity with a wide array of traditional and new media in an organizational setting.

Ability to:

• Represent the City Council in a professional manner to the community.

• Work in a fast-paced environment with minimal direction.

• Be a team player who is creative, organized and can effectively work across functional teams and lines of authority.

• Work nights or a rare weekend as required.

Skill in:

• Speech writing and delivery coaching

• City Council Director of Communications and Community Engagement

• Superior digital, written and verbal communication, including the ability to write on a short deadline.

• Computer operations proficiency including word processing, desktop publishing, and various business graphics software.

• Visual communications suited for use across a wide array of media platforms.

WHY SPOKANE?

Why do locals love Spokane? It may depend on who you ask but most will tell you it's because of the abundance of outdoor recreation, numerous waterways within a close driving distance, arts and culture, a plethora of breweries and wineries, and a rich food scene in the vibrant downtown core. With its natural beauty, entertainment, award winning K-12 schools and world class colleges and universities it's no wonder why Spokane continues to grow!

Spokane is comprised of 29 diverse and unique neighborhoods and each has something different to offer. We are home to 200+ annual community events, from massive athletic events to thriving art shows. Bloomsday, the largest timed foot race in the world and Hoopfest, the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world attract visitors from across the globe. Spokane is truly one of the most beautiful cities in the country and a great place to live and play!

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Qualified employees may select from two health carrier options; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Group Health Cooperative or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The City pays the monthly premium in full for employee only. The monthly premium to add coverage for eligible dependents varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The monthly premium is minimal for employee and eligible dependents.

Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware; lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $100,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $6,000 for spouse/domestic partner and $2,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code. Employees can elect to contribute up to $2,550 per year for the Health Care FSA and $5,000 per year for the Dependent Care FSA.

Prepaid legal services and/or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited amount of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.

Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide/Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse/domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed employees whose positions are classified under the Civil Service Merit System. Contributions and earnings are tax deferred.

Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by ICMA-RC allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by KEPRO. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol/drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to eight counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife/Convenience services and online tools.

The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving alone to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides employees the option to use their City-issued ID badge as a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge.