Summary
Description
Full job description
The Town of Erie is looking for a talented and innovative Communications Specialist to partner with our Planning & Development and Economic Development departments, supporting their communications and marketing needs. In this role, you will be a key player on the team, responding to media inquiries and connecting contacts with the appropriate spokesperson or subject matter expert. You will manage communications strategies establishing pro-active relationships with the media, the public, and Town staff fostering two-way engagement regarding the Planning & Development and Economic Developments programs, projects, issues, and services.
Your creativity will shine as you manage and initiates specific internal and external communications and marketing including website content, social media, project branding, brochures and newsletters, and other announcements. By using cutting-edge tools and innovative strategies, youll play an important role in increasing awareness of the Towns programs and services.
If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy crafting impactful narratives, and want to make a difference in how we connect with the community of Erie, this role is for you!
Work Location: 645 Holbrook Street, Erie CO 80516
Anticipated Work Schedule: Full-time (Monday-Friday shifts) 40 hours per week with some nights and weekends as needed.
Anticipated Hiring Range
$63,035/year – $72,805/year
Full Salary Range
$63,035/year – $82,575/year
Posting Dates: 01/21/2025 – 02/10/2025
**Please ensure your application is submitted and complete prior to 11:59pm on 02/10/2025 to be considered. All incomplete applications will be withdrawn from the process. This job may close early without further notice.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Content Creation
- Manage the content of all marketing materials used to promote the assigned department including webpages, newsletters, print, social media, and other tools.
- Communicates persuasively with internal and external customers and provides information on programs, services, and events in a visible and accurate manner.
- Customize marketing materials to match the recognizable tone and accessible public voice used throughout Town communications.
- Create proposals, presentations, and reports for the department; identify timelines, and report on the progress of assigned projects.
Collaboration & Strategy
- Maintains connection and awareness of projects both within their assigned department and within the Communications & Community Engagement Department.
- Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of communication, public relations, public administration, and information services.
- Fosters partnership and communication with stakeholders in their assigned departments field including within other municipalities, county, state, and federal governments, school districts, media outlets, and service agencies.
- Implements plans, strategies, and data measurements to ensure the successful implementation of the overall communications and marketing initiatives of the assigned department.
- Serves as backup to other members of the Communications & Community Engagement Department as needed.
- Develop networks and relationships with various media outlets to maximize positive public relations and communications.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelors degree in Marketing, Communications Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
- Three years of increasingly responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, government relations, and public outreach.
A combination of education and experience may be considered.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working in or with municipal or government agencies.
- Experience coordinating with various departments to ensure consistent messaging.
- Familiarity with graphic design tools such as Canva, InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
- Familiarity with website content upkeep and best practices in digital communication.
Pre-employment screenings include:
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Reference checks
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Background checks include: National and County Criminal Scan, Sex-Offender Registry check and Motor Vehicle Report through DMV
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Knowledge of: The candidate should have excellent writing and language skills, and a working knowledge and understanding of the latest public relation tools and techniques. Knowledge about the Erie community and its residents is preferred.
Skills in: The candidate should have the ability to: write content for and organize information for presentation to the public via various media including social media, written flyers, newsletters, press releases, television, web content, and other publications; positively and effectively present information and respond to questions from the public, the media, staff, and other managers; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, the public, the media, and other agencies; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; prioritize and handle conflicting requests for service in a diplomatic manner; read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, periodicals, technical procedures, and/or governmental regulations.
Environmental Factors:
Work primarily takes place in a standard office environment with occasional outdoor tasks during events. The role involves sitting for approximately 5 hours per day, standing for about 2 hours, and minimal walking unless attending or covering events. Frequent use of a computer for typing and graphic design (about 5 hours daily) is required. Event-related activities may include light setup tasks on uneven surfaces like grass or gravel.
Physical Factors:
The position requires frequent sitting and occasional lifting, with typical tasks including lifting objects weighing up to 40 lbs during event preparation, setup, or breakdown. Reaching, bending, or kneeling occurs rarely, usually for specific tasks like adjusting photo angles. The role does not involve climbing, running, or working at heights, and there is no exposure to hazardous materials or confined spaces. Visual requirements include reading printed materials and distinguishing colors for graphic design. While primarily indoors, occasional outdoor work in varied weather conditions is required for event-related tasks.
Town of Erie Benefits:
The Town of Erie offers a comprehensive benefit package and pays a major portion of the employee premium to make these benefits more affordable for you. Coverage of these benefits begin the 1st of the month following date of hire for benefited employees regularly working an average of 30 hours per week. Each year you will have the option of changing your elections through open enrollment. To learn more, review the benefits webpage.
Designated full time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
- Robust Medical, Dental and Vision plans including spouse, domestic partner and family coverage options
- Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Plans
- Voluntary Life/AD&D
- Employer paid Basic Life/AD&D
- Employer paid Short- and Long-Term Disability
- Employer paid Employee Assistance Program
- Robust extended sick leave and family sick leave program
- Up to 48 hours of Colorado Sick Leave preloaded on the 1st of every year (pro-rated if hired after the 1st of the year)
- 3 Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year (increases with years of service)
- 40 hours of pre-loaded Paid Time Off (PTO) to each new employee upon hire
- Fifteen (15) Paid Holidays
- Twenty-Four (24) Hours of Paid Volunteer Leave
- Up to 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave for bonding with a new child
- Option to sell back PTO after two (2) years of continuous employment
- 457 Retirement Plan, with a 5% employer match and immediate 100% vesting in your deferral contributions AND employer contributions
- Education reimbursement up to $3,000 per year
- Individual free membership to the Erie Community Center and steep discounts on couple or family memberships.
- Employer sponsored wellness program, including employee-based fitness classes
- Childcare benefits which includes 10% discount to any KinderCare location in Colorado
- Half-off charging at town-owned EV charging stations
- Pet Insurance
- Employee Discount Program through Benefits Hub
- Eligible for discount Dell Computer program
- Onsite/virtual trainings for growth and development opportunities
We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-qualified employer!
EEOC Statement:
The Town is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition or privilege of employment. Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history), veteran status, marital status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment or discrimination based on any of these protected classes. Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct, which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individuals work performance or creating a severe, intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. This provision applies to all employees, including directors, supervisors, co-workers, and non-employees such as residents, members of all boards and task force groups, contractors, vendors, consultants, etc.
