Communications Specialist

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and execute public information and digital communications activities, including website and social media outlets, for the City of Tuscaloosa.
• Assist in the development and design of communication materials for City events, including arts and entertainment events.
• Assist in the creative development and production of City publications such as reports and newsletters.
• Perform related administrative tasks; develop and prepare promotional materials; copy and distribute materials; develop distribution plans; research materials and vendors.
• Communicate with City departments to coordinate efforts in accordance with department and city goals.
• Develop and design specialty printed and electronic publications and other promotional items.
• Design and develop publication materials including advertisements, newsletters, brochures and other items using Adobe Creative Suite on strict deadlines.
• Provide updates for web content on , coordinating with City webmaster.
• Remain current in social media trends; publish pertinent and accurate information to appropriate social media outlets.
• Assist all City departments in development by providing statistical information and visual aids.
• Build and execute social media strategy through competitive research, platform determination, benchmarking, messaging and target audience identification.
• Generate, edit, publish and share daily content (including original text, images, video or HTML) that builds meaningful connections and encourages community participation.
• Optimize city pages within each platform to increase visibility of the City's social content.
• Moderate all user-generated content in line with City policy.
• Create editorial calendars; set up scheduled posts using post management software/platforms.
• Continuously improve by capturing and analyzing social data/metrics, insights and best practices, then acting on the information.
• Collaborate with other departments to manage online reputation, identify key players and coordinate actions.
• Develop and implement web content strategies using web design best practices.
• Collaborate often with other departments to manage published web content, including departmental content on the City's website.
• Write news releases, online and print articles, feature stories, advertising copy and other materials.
• Recommend policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the City.
• Incorporate continuous quality improvement principles in day‑to‑day activities.

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing, or related field.
• Preferred experience in government relations, public communications and digital communications supplemented by experience in visual communications such as graphic and web design, making presentations, and/or working with the public.
• Extreme proficiency in graphic design using Adobe Creative Cloud and proficiency in AP style.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
• Must meet regular attendance requirements.
• Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, coworkers, managers and citizens.

• Must be able to operate a variety of automated office equipment including computer, printer, typewriter, copy and facsimile machines, and telephone. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for light work.
• Requires the ability to compare and/or judge functional, structural, or compositional characteristics of data, people, or things that may include reports, forms, procedural manuals, and training manuals.
• Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange administrative and educational information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co‑workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with the general public.
• Requires ability to read a variety of educational and…