Communications Specialist II/ Senior Communications Specialist

Date Posted	May 06, 2024
Industry	Government
Specialty	Not Specified
Required Education	Bachelor's Degree
Job Status	Full-time

Description:

Upcoming Increases:

5% increase on June 21, 2024

5% increase on June 20, 2025

The city of Anaheim, Orange County's largest, most visited and exciting city, seeks talented and experienced communications professionals to perform a variety of high-level duties and responsibilities representing Anaheim to the media, residents, visitors and the business community.
 
As part of the City Manager's Office, Anaheim Communications serves as a full-service communications office for the city. Anaheim Communications works with local, regional, national and international media, produces a magazine reaching nearly every household in the city and a monthly electronic newsletter, develops and produces video content for a 24-hour television channel and YouTube channel and creates engaging social media, among other duties.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

Communications Specialist II- 

$36.14 - $54.21 Hourly / $75,166 - $112,748 Annually

Two years of increasingly responsible public relations or marketing experience supplemented by a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, graphic design, or a related field. An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Senior Communications Specialist-

$39.84 - $59.76 Hourly / $82,870 - $124,306 Annually

Two years of advanced level professional duties and increasingly responsible public relations or marketing experience supplemented by a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, graphic design, or a related field. An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. The ideal candidate will have prior experience working at the highest level of City government administration and working with elected officials.

Responsibilities of Anaheim Communications:

• Represent the city to residents, visitors, businesses and national and international audiences
• Inform and educate about city policies and programs
• Enhance community pride among residents, visitors and businesses
• Support the communications needs of the City Manager, City Council and City Departments

Work on all communications issues, including social media, press releases, flyers, graphics, web pages, emergencies and high-profile issues.

Note: The department has sole discretion to appoint at either level in proportion to candidate's level of qualifications, consideration will be given at the appropriate level.

Essential Functions

The following functions are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed functions and/or may be required to perform additional or different functions from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Establish schedules, strategies and communications methods for providing effective communications and marketing programs that promote department goals.

Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously; ensure projects and assignments are completed on time and within budget; coordinate with internal staff and external organizations the timely and accurate distribution of materials.

Monitor results of communications and marketing efforts and make appropriate recommendations regarding dissemination of information.

Develop marketing materials including brochures, flyers, ads, door hangers, articles, internet and other collateral materials to help ensure public and target audiences understand, participate in, and accept department programs and policies; direct the design, layout and editorial content of all materials to ensure accuracy, consistency and appropriate representation of the department; oversee printing and production.

Monitor and recommend changes to the department website to ensure it accurately represents and communicates information for department programs and identity; based on project goals, assist in development of communication strategies, incorporating integrated marketing communication principles and tactics; consult and advise staff on integrated marketing communication strategies and principles as related to projects.

Develop and produce publications; determine content of and prepare articles and graphics for newsletters, customer bill inserts, and other publications; design new and existing publications.

Coordinate and direct photography for department publications; determine subject matter; coordinate and direct video production sessions.

Develop and produce presentations; determine goals and formats of presentations; research and develop editorial and graphic content; compile necessary equipment and materials.

Coordinate special events and tours of department facilities; formulate plans for activities; coordinate the participation of employees; direct the work of vendors.

Negotiate and administer vendor contracts related to design and writing; review quality of work by vendors; recommend changes and administer internal approval processes; process invoices and purchase orders; act as point of contact for the department with vendors and/or consultants.

Submit recommendations regarding the program budget; monitor expenditures and prioritize department-wide advertising and collateral materials.

Represent the city of Anaheim to media, including on-camera interviews; serve as on-camera city representative in city-produced videos.

Be able to work, in rotation with team members, on weekends, afterhours and holidays as needed for media requests, monitoring social media and urgent matters.

Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications

Experience and Education: 

Communications Specialist II: Two years of increasingly responsible public relations or marketing experience supplemented by a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, graphic design, or a related field. An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Senior Communications Specialist: Two years of advanced level professional duties and increasingly responsible public relations or marketing experience supplemented by a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, graphic design, or a related field. An equivalent combination of experience and education sufficient to perform the essential job functions and provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. The ideal candidate will have prior experience working at the highest level of City government administration and working with elected officials.

Knowledge of: Effective communications and marketing techniques; principles of team leadership; administrative protocol; techniques of meeting facilitation; appropriate and modern mediums to disseminate information; integrated marketing communication principles; basic principles and practices  of effective   communications as they apply to publications, including editing, design, layout, photography, and publication requirements; basic printing processes, techniques and options to interact effectively with vendors; graphic  design concepts  and techniques; basic principles and practices of media relations including knowledge of journalism "style guides" and appropriate release format; effective public speaking techniques; vendors and contracts available to provide needed services; basic principles and methods of finance administration in accounting, budgeting  and auditing; basic budget preparation  and program analysis; website functions and principles; general news media practices; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; pertinent federal, state, and local codes, laws, and regulations; city and departmental programs and policies; techniques for effectively representing the city in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational, and regulatory organizations and with the public; techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and city staff.

Ability to: Coordinate a variety of marketing and communications programs; analyze, recommend, prepare and disseminate effective marketing and communications materials; work on multiple projects simultaneously; negotiate and place media buys; facilitate information gathering meetings; evaluate and interpret communication needs and concerns; translate technical issues, department policies and programs into understandable and simple concepts; schedule and produce clear, concise, effective and accurate communication tools; gather and analyze data and make recommendations; write clearly, concisely and accurately to produce clear, concise, accurate copy that conveys the necessary message to the intended audience; identify and anticipate communications needs of the organization  and determine  effective methods for carrying out communications programs; design and produce publications internally, using appropriate desktop publishing software, tools and techniques; maintain and develop  effective and positive media  contacts; recognize  publicity potential, both positive and adverse, of issues and events; understand and use integrated marketing and communication principles; strategize and determine appropriate tactics, key messages and target audiences to meet program/project goals; negotiate and administer contracts for services; actively assist in the development of new communications programs; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; research,  analyze, and summarize data and prepare accurate and logical written reports; operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized  software applications; organize and prioritize   a variety of projects  and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines; make sound, independent decisions  within established policy and procedural guidelines; use English effectively to communicate  in person, over the telephone, and in writing; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Supplemental Information

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION

Applications will be accepted until Friday, May 31, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.  Applicants are encouraged to apply early.  Applications will not be accepted after this deadline.

The selection process may consist of a minimum of skills examination and oral interview.

The eligibility list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill the current and/or additional vacancies throughout the City.

Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position.  Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration.  Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.  

The successful candidate will be required to undergo a reference / background check (to include a conviction record) and pass a post-offer pre-employment medical examination (which will include a drug/alcohol screening).  The City of Anaheim utilizes E-Verify and new employees must provide documentation to establish both identity and work authorization.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.

Equal Opportunity Employer