Communications Manager

POSITION

To develop, implement, and manage the City’s comprehensive communication plans, public outreach and media strategies.  Develops, coordinates and assists with City-wide strategic initiatives, programs, and special projects; government relations and coordination of legislative advocacy; and to provide highly responsible and complex analytical support to the City Manager’s Office.  The purpose of this recruitment is to fill a vacancy of this newly created position in the City Manager’s Office, as well as establish an eligibility list for future vacancies.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The City of Woodland is seeking a dynamic and highly motivated individual for the position of Communications Manager.  This position reports to the City Manager and will serve as a key member of the City’s leadership team responsible for the development, implementation, and management of the City’s comprehensive communication plans, community engagement, and media strategies.  In addition to leading communications strategies, this position will provide complex analytical support to the City Manager’s Office with responsibilities which will increase and develop as the position matures.  The position requires exceptional verbal, written, and graphic communication skills and works closely with the broad and diverse set of community stakeholders.  Bilingual skills are highly desirable.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The following are typical illustrations of duties encompassed by the job class, not an all-inclusive or limiting list:

• Develop and execute strategic communication and public outreach plans in consultation with City management and City Council to promote initiatives and priorities of the City; work with all City departments to coordinate and manage all external and internal communications.
• Provide advice and support to City staff and elected/appointed officials regarding public and media relations, including goals, strategies, tactics and tools, as appropriate; assists City management and City Council on developing and implementing the most effective approach to communicate with the public and staff about matters of importance and sensitivity.
• Plan, develop, and implement comprehensive communication and public information programs for the City’s written, oral, and multi-media communications with the public, news media, social media platforms, and City staff.
• Develop and maintain effective branding strategies for City’s communications.
• Respond to requests for information and coordinate its dissemination to the media, community groups, and the general public or designates another information source.
• Assist City staff and elected officials with appropriate written, oral and multi-media communications; prepare talking points, key messages, media alerts, public announcements, presentations and other informational materials related to public information.
• Organize and update emergency public information communications strategies during a local disaster or other crisis situations; may participate in an active emergency operation center (EOC).
• Develop, manage and provide oversight of the City’s overall social media strategy and presence.
• Arrange, promote, and participate in special events including dedication ceremonies, appreciation events, and city/community functions.
• Develop and implement methods and materials promoting special events sponsored by the City.
• Plan, conduct and coordinate public opinion research and surveys to determine interest and communicate results to management or staff; identify trends and monitor public information legislation, advise on trends and make recommendations.
• Provide management oversite of the City’s external website and intranet; ensures website content is appropriate and aligns with City communication plans, strategies and website design standards; establish best practices and guidelines for maintaining the web site and other electronic communications, such as social media.
• Research, conceptualize, plan, communicate and/or coordinate implementation of new strategic initiatives that promote a stronger more resilient city;
• Coordinate with other departments, for the preparation and implementation of the City's sustainability and climate resiliency efforts and projects.
• Establish and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, other public agencies, community groups, and the public using principles of good public relations and customer service; acts as liaison with the community and represents the City at meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Regular, predictable, consistent and timely attendance is an essential function of the position, in that Employee must be present to work to complete assigned tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to acquire the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: 

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in communications, marketing, public relations, public administration or other related field.  Master’s Degree in a similar or related field highly desirable. A Master’s degree may substitute for experience, up to two (2) years.

Experience:

Four (4) years of progressively responsible, professional level experience in the field of public information, public relations, communications, journalism or marketing.  Government experience is highly desirable.

License or Certificate:

Requires possession of a valid Class C California driver's license.

APPLICATION

Apply with a City of Woodland application by visiting www.cityofwoodland.org/employment or the Human Resources Office, City Hall, 300 First Street, 2nd Floor, Woodland, CA 95695 by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 26, 2021.  Supplemental questionnaire must be submitted with application by the final filing date to be considered.  Résumés and cover letters are encouraged but will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application form. Postmarks will not be accepted. 

Review Process:  Based on the information provided in the application documents, the best qualified applicants will be invited for further examination.  All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.  Depending upon the number of applications received, the examination may consist of an application screening, written and/or practical exam, oral interview or any combination thereof.  If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please notify Human Resources at least seven (7) days prior to the event.

Panel interviews are tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2021.

BENEFITS

Current Salary:                    
$7,000.03 - $8,934.02 per month

Retirement:                          
CalPERS Retirement System (2% @ 60 Formula for Classic CalPERS members and 2% @ 62 Formula for new CalPERS members)

The City does not participate in social security

Deferred Compensation:                   
Choice of deferred compensation plans (Traditional and Roth)
The City will match up to 2% of employee’s base salary

Medical:                                
CalPERS Medical Insurance Plans, including HMOs & PPOs
City gives an allowance toward the cost of insurance
Maximum Family Allowance for 2021 is $2,111.34 per month

Dental/Vision:                       |
City paid Delta Dental and Medical Eye Services

STD/LTD:                              
City paid wage protection for short and long term disabilities

Life Insurance:                    
City provides $50,000 life insurance policy

Supplemental Benefits:     
Voluntary Supplemental Life, Cancer, Accident Only and Critical Illness insurances, and Flexible Spending Accounts available

Vacation:                              
7 hours per month during first 3 years of service

Sick Leave:                          
8 hours per month

Administrative Leave:         
96 hours of administrative leave provided each fiscal year

Holidays:                              
12.5 paid holidays (including two floating holidays)

Bilingual Pay:                      
$200 per month upon certification

Professional Growth Incentive:      
$625 per fiscal year for additional educational or professional activities

The City of Woodland hires only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.

The City of Woodland is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Recruitment Contact

Contact phone: 
(530) 661-5811
Contact email: 
hr@cityofwoodland.org