Summary
Description
Job Summary
The Gardens on Spring Creek, the Fort Collins' premier botanic garden, seeks a Senior Communications Specialist who is a creative self-starter with passion for plants and nature. Our newly expanded facility features 12 acres of specially curated gardens that thrive in Colorado's unique environment. This is an exceptional opportunity to expand communications and marketing strategies for the short and long-term operations, revenue generation and programmatic functions.
Experience requirements for the position include 5 or more years of related experience or a combination of education and experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, or related areas.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
- Develops and implements public relations and strategic marketing plans, policies and procedures.
- Directs press relations including serving as a spokesperson, contacting media to propose stories and feature articles, and crafting press releases.
- Works with engineers, subject matter experts (“SMEs”) and other professionals to develop strategic communication plans and foster positive working relationships within the department/division, with other City departments, and stakeholders.
- Advises and assists department staff with respect to information dissemination, marketing plans, media relations, advertising, web page and social media development and maintenance.
- Advises management on media relations, community relations projects and activities.
- May help coordinate departmental involvement in various types of public or virtual events.
- May contribute to decisions concerning outsourcing of projects, and coordinate production with external vendors, including copy shops, printers, mail houses, media, graphic design and independent contractors.
- Coordinates with others and may produce a wide variety of projects including posters, fliers, web and social media applications and maintenance, brochures, newsletters, speaking points, invitations, calendars, ads, presentations, press releases, feature stories, etc., using digital or traditional methods.
- May coordinate and assists with production of videos, and ads.
- Develops advertising/promotional campaigns and negotiates contracts for print, radio, digital, broadband and television broadcast media.
- Coordinates with others to develop and update video, web, social media and photography projects.
- Coordinates quality control procedures for producing high quality publicity materials that will be distributed to the public.
- Collaboration to ensure that all Title VI (specifically language access) and ADA requirements are met as they relate to service area issues and projects.
- Backup PIO assistance as needed by service area or other City departments.
- Manages marketing budgets, submit reports to management and SME partners with specific information upon request, and maintains electronic internal files.
- Assists with writing grants, strategic marketing plans, and other proposals as applicable.
- Assists with coordination of community event booths as well as speaking engagements for departments and City officials for community groups seeking information.
Management Responsibilities
No
City Competencies
- Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
- Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
- A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
- A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including expertise with AP writing style and editing.
- Ability to interact effectively with City staff, vendors and the general public.
- Typing, word processing and layout skills, including specific proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite software.
- Ability to work independently on various projects, as well participate as an engaged and supportive team player.
- Proficient in development and maintenance of web pages, including some technical knowledge of backend processes.
- Ability to conceptualize and analyze solutions for public information assignments.
- Ability to research, write, and edit technical and general information to develop a final product that is easily understood by general and specific customer groups.
- Knowledge of and experience working as lead or backup PIO manager in collaboration with internal and external organizations.
- Ability to make effective written and oral presentations to staff, City management and the public.
- Ability to handle multiple work assignments and meet strict deadlines.
- Ability to develop and manage a variety of project budgets and contribute to department budget analyses and reviews.
Required Qualifications
MINIMUMPREFERRED
College degree or equivalent work experience. Some positions may require functionally related certification or advanced degrees Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising, or related field from an accredited college or university.
Experience Requirements
- Five (5) or more years related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
The content in this posting was created for recruitment purposes. To view the full job description click the link below.
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
