Communications Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The Communications Manager plans, coordinates and manages the operations and activities of the City's Communications Division, including the Public Information Office (PIO) to assure that the City's key messages reach the public; provides advice and counsel to City staff and officials in the management of community relations issues; develops and maintains all multimedia efforts for the City of Conroe, including the website, city PEG channel, City video services, graphic design projects and social media applications; serves as the City's Public Information Officer and primary media liaison.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or related field; and five years' increasingly responsible experience in journalism, communications and public relations; public sector experience is preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Class C Texas Driver's License or higher.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Required Knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• Current principles, techniques and objectives of marketing, public information, mass communications, media relations and community relations programs.
• Legal, ethical and professional rules of conduct for public sector employees.
• Current legislative, political and economic trends in state and Federal government programs.
• Local community resources and regional community services programs.
• Project planning and management principles.
• Associated Press style writing.
• Municipal government access channels.
• Operation or professional video and photographic cameras.
• Website design/maintenance.
• Television production principles and equipment.
• Methods and techniques used in the development and production of marketing and video projects.
• FCC guidelines and policies governing public access television.

Required Skill in:

• Developing community relations and communications programs and strategies from concept to completion.
• Assimilating and analyzing information from a variety of sources and developing effective action plans.
• Maintaining composure and working effectively in a high-pressure environment with changing priorities.
• Coordinating and performing a variety of technical video production duties.
• Developing and producing television programming for the City's Government Access Channel.
• Shooting, editing and coordinating the airing of City meetings and special events.
• Operating and maintaining specialized television production equipment.
• Communicating effectively with City staff, members of the media, other agencies and the public.
• Preparing and presenting information to diverse audiences, including public speaking engagements.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with City staff, public officials, community groups, outside agencies, media representatives and the general public.

Required Abilities:

• Write, edit and communicate clearly and create a positive and professional image of City and office.
• Exercise sound judgement in making decisions in conformance with City policies, state and federal laws related to the release of public information.
• Communicate effectively in conversations, public presentations and written form.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials, department heads, employees, citizens and all media.
• Handle confidential information appropriately.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment and in and around City facilities.
• Subject to sitting for extended periods of time, standing, walking, bending, reaching, operating audiovisual equipment, and lifting of objects up to 40 pounds regularly and 10-25 pounds constantly.
• Position is on-call 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
• If needed, work requires readiness to appear on camera, at a moment's notice.

BENEFITS

The City of Conroe offers great benefits such as medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plan, employee assistance program, paid time off and free membership at the City's pool and recreation center facilities. Starting salary for this position is $96,161 annually.

Must pass background check and pre-employment substance abuse screening as a condition of employment. A motor vehicle record check and job-related doctor's physical exam may also be required. Safety-sensitive positions remain subject to random drug and alcohol testing after hire.