Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00036

Department: Executive

Job classification: Comm Comm Engmt Mgr

Posting type: Open

Categories: Administration, Public Relations, Professional, Customer Service

Summary

The City of Lynnwood is looking for their next Manager of Communications and Public Affairs!

The Manager of Communications and Public Affairs serves as the City's principal communications strategist and produces, evaluates, and delivers external and internal communications for the City. This position identifies and pursues public relations opportunities, oversees and evaluates marketing strategies and fosters the City's external relationships with the public and other groups. This management position may supervise other communications and/or other Executive office staff. Monitors and maintains designated budgets. This position also serves as the City's Emergency Operations Center Public Information Officer. This position sits within the Mayor’s Executive Office.

Examples of duties

Includes, but is not limited to, such essential functions as listed below:

• Serve as the strategic communications advisor to the Mayor, the Executive Office, and Department Directors related to the Community Vision, public participation, long-range planning, goal setting, and citywide projects and initiatives. Identify emerging public concerns or issues, develop, and implement responsive communications strategies, including community meetings, news releases, and online content.
• Develop, evaluate, implement, and deliver a city-wide communications strategy for large-scale projects, issues and initiatives, major incidents, and emergencies to ensure a coordinated approach and consistent City messaging.
• Advise and recommend public engagement tools and strategies to conduct effective and inclusive outreach to Lynnwood's diverse community. Develop and maintain communication methods and materials to facilitate participation in all aspects of city visioning, strategic planning, goal setting, and the provision of city programs and services.
• Provide subject matter expertise to synchronize external and internal messaging to our community and city employees.
• Create news releases, articles for publication, editorial commentaries, employee newsletters, city newsletters, speeches or outlines for guest appearances, promotional and marketing pieces.
• Develop and implement internal communications plans and tools to ensure senior staff, employees, and city council are well informed about city projects and issues. Train and coach on approved communications strategies and techniques.
• Manage and evaluate the City's online presence, including social media, electronic newsletters, and the City's website.
• Produce and edit video messaging and social media posts.
• Participate in long range, strategic planning activities for the City. Prepare and recommend objectives, methodologies, community engagement and communication opportunities to advance the City's agenda.
• Develop and maintain the Community Engagement Program budget; monitor all expenditures for the Community engagement budget; monitor budget progress throughout the biennium and adjustments as necessary.
• Serve as a representative of the Mayor and the City by making public appearances to facilitate the connection between Lynnwood residents and their city government. Coordinate events to increase awareness of and promote goodwill for the City and its people.
• Represent the City as the Public Information Officer. Respond to media inquiries as the City's spokesperson; draft and release news information to the media and the public; make statements and respond to interviews on television, radio, or print. Serve as the City's Emergency Operations Center Public Information Officer, responding to disasters and major emergencies and assisting with the release of public information.
• Assist with ongoing community outreach programs including but not limited to the City-wide Open Houses, Volunteer Recognition event and Lynnwood University.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field to include training in media relations. Five or more years of experience in government or community relations to include spokesperson responsibilities or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Maintains appropriate training levels required by federal mandate, FEMA, and/or DHS for emergency management responsibilities. Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license, with a driving record acceptable to the City's insurance carrier.

Bilingual candidates encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Supplemental information

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

Job Location and Equipment Utilized

Work is performed in an office environment. Equipment utilized includes standard office equipment, audio/video equipment, and personal computer with associated software and peripherals. Work is occasionally performed in the evening, on weekends and/or on holidays.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of best principles and practices of community engagement and media relations.
• Knowledge of City organization, operations, services, projects, policies, and initiatives.
• Skilled in program outreach and marketing, technical communications, media/public relations, and public speaking.
• Skilled in promoting diversity and multi-cultural understanding in the workplace and the community.
• Skilled in management and team building including leadership, instruction, delegation, problem analysis and decision making, planning, and organizing, adaptability/flexibility, stress tolerance and time management.
• Ability to represent organizational views and interests and provide appropriate, coordinated, and timely responses to inquiries on politically sensitive issues when serving as spokesperson.
• Ability to quickly change priorities in an environment with tight timelines, working to ensure overall consistency.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgement and maintain confidentiality dealing with politically sensitive issues.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.

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 the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to use a personal computer and other standard office equipment.
• Ability to read written and numerical materials.
• Ability to exchange information.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented; General Salary Ordinance