Job Description

Posting number: 202100833

Department: City Manager's Office

Job classification: Communications Program Manager

Posting type: Open

Categories: Communications

Summary

Note: This role is a Temporary opportunity with an anticipated end date of December 31, 2027. The anticipated end date is subject to departmental and budgetary considerations.

Manages and implements citywide internal and external communications programs. Plans, organizes, schedules, and carries out citywide information and/or community/public relations activities for the City.

Principal Accountabilities

• Initiates new communications programs and projects to improve City communication and interaction with the community.
• Serves as an internal consultant, advising the City Council, City Manager and departments as needed on their communication and public involvement strategies and implementation methods.
• Coordinates media relations and provides information regarding City activities.
• Develops strategies regarding communicating agency initiatives, program and project timelines and comment processes and assists in analyzing comments received for City decision makers.
• Provides assistance with organization-wide complaint resolution activities as needed.
• Provides communication support during emergency events.

Essential Functions

• Hires, trains, supervises, evaluates and disciplines communications staff that report to this position. Assigns tasks and distributes workload, and provides staff with communication and public involvement strategies and implementation methods. Provides direction and support to staff in their performance of their tasks, and reviews work products for quality and accuracy.
• Provides leadership and coordination for City staff in developing public involvement strategies and making information accessible through meetings and forums involving the public. Makes recommendations to departments regarding outreach efforts. Coordinates graphic design and public notice activities to assure consistency of content and presentation. Designs public outreach efforts for the City and identifies appropriate stakeholders and methods.
• Advises on high profile media issues and plays a strategic communications and public involvement role on emerging public policy issues and during emergencies.
• Represents the City to the news media and the community for all departments in cooperation with public information staff from other departments such as Fire and Police. Writes and distributes news releases, ops and eds and speeches by identifying newsworthy issues and topics beneficial to the community. Develops and maintains the necessary contacts with media representatives to effectively stay informed and positively influence communications as related to the City of Kirkland.
• Researches and recommends methods for improving community access to City government, ability to participate in the decision making process and increasing awareness of City programs and services. Determines the information needed to explain complex policies and develops and implements external and internal communication strategies for city initiatives.
• Serves as liaison for the City in community relations by participating in and/or facilitating public meetings, making presentations to various groups, and providing information concerning the City. Prepares and conducts public presentations to the community and media.
• Writes and edits a variety of reports, press releases, ops and eds, articles and video scripts. Coordinates the development, editing and publishing of the City’s official newsletter; designs and prepares brochures, handouts and public relations materials. Serves as executive producer of Currently Kirkland Cable T.V. show.
• Serves as the City’s Ombudsman and responds to citizen complaints and inquiries directed to the City Manager’s Office and coordinates with appropriate department(s) concerning response and resolution.
• Prepares proclamations at the request of the Mayor, City Council or City Manager.
• Supports the emergency management program as the City Manager’s liaison to the Emergency Management Action team and serves as primary Public Information Officer upon activation of the Emergency Operations Center.
• Implements and maintains social media tools as an effective means of public engagement.
• Develops, implements and maintains internal communication strategies on City Council and City Manager priorities.

Why Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit. We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel. If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!

If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and innovation.

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.

Awesome benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.

Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has agreements with two local childcare providers that offer discounted rates for our employees at 10 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland. Learn more!

Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.

Examples of duties

• Knowledge of policies, functions and responsibilities of local government or public jurisdictions.
• Advanced knowledge of interpersonal, public relations, presentation and communications skills (verbal and written).
• Knowledge and experience with a range of public involvement strategies and how to strategically apply them.
• Experience in public speaking and knowledge of presentation skills and techniques.
• Knowledge of public opinion research techniques and various methods of application in governmental issues.
• Ability to effectively respond to angry or upset customers and employ conflict resolution methods to resolve issues and complaints.
• Ability to maintain confidences and handle sensitive information.
• Knowledge of public communication plan development, and the production of support materials.
• Able to clearly present information sometimes under pressure in large and small groups.
• Able to serve as a consultant and trainer to staff, boards, neighborhood associations and community groups.
• Working knowledge of how various media activities occur, and in particular, a knowledge of media outlets; local media contacts, and social media venues.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with major course work in communications/public relations, journalism or public administration or a related field and five years progressively responsible experience, preferably working in or with public agencies, in developing and implementing communication and community involvement strategies and managing media relations or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental information

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an office setting and frequently at other public settings for community meetings.
• Work involves computer use, and occasional lifting of objects up to 50 pounds such as audio/visual equipment.
• May be required to work beyond normal working hours to attend evening and weekend meetings.

Position requires a resume and cover letter noting how you meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of application. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled with first review of applicants by 15th day of posting.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.

Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.