General Purpose

Enhance the City’s overall communication strategy and ensure effective dissemination of information to the City’s diverse stakeholders. With a focus on information sharing, video and photo storytelling and website management, the communication specialist works with Public Information Officers (PIOs) to tell the City’s story, foster positive public perceptions, strengthen community relationships, and uphold the city's commitment to open and accessible communication.

This position offers a starting wage between $27.18 - $29.56 per hour, with a full pay range extending up to $37.92 per hour, reflecting opportunities for professional development and career progression within the City’s communications team.

Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of the Chief of Staff and in close collaboration with the City Public Information Officer, and other communication staff.

Essential Functions

Develops and assists in the successful implementation of communication plans and strategies for citywide or department initiatives and campaigns. Writes and edits materials, including posters, flyers, website content, presentations, newsletters, etc. in accordance with communication plans and strategies and identified deliverables for intended audience(s). Researches technical subject matter as needed.

Provides Public Information Officer support to departments to address communication needs, including emergencies, natural disasters, and unforeseen situations that may arise. Completes FEMA-related PIO courses and other required training.

Produces content and assists in message development to support the city’s mission, vision and strategic plan, as well as individual departments’ missions and projects goals. Presents both citywide and individual department stories to the community using videography and photography, as well as printed materials such as flyers, posters, banners, brochures, postcards, newsletters, media alerts and digital content for a variety of platforms.

Manages the city website, making updates as needed, working proactively with the IT Department to address issues and providing real-time support to departments to ensure residents have access to critical information, community resources, programs, services and recreational opportunities.

Assists and sometimes leads in the planning of public meetings, open houses and other city events and provides support and direction to other departments planning special events. Develops promotional materials and display materials as needed, and assists with setup for press conferences, ribbon cuttings and other special events and programs. Attends partner meetings and provides marketing assistance and technical support for City of Idaho Falls initiatives.

Champions city branding by building PowerPoint templates and other presentation materials in compliance with the city’s style guide, and by working with departments to ensure proper compliance with the city’s style guide.

Operates personal computers and various software applications, i.e., Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, Power Point) Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Premier Prof, InDesign, Scheduler Plus or other scheduling software, etc., as needed to establish databases, communication documents, illustrations and publications. Also has experience with videography, video editing and visual storytelling.

Minimum Qualifications

Performs other duties as required

Education and Experience:
Graduation from college with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, or related field;

AND

Three (3) years of progressively responsible public relations-related positions;

An equivalent combination of education and experience
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable Knowledge of purposes, principles and practices of municipal government; advertising, marketing and public relations practices; public or platform speaking, proposal development, creative writing and presentation skills; organizational politics; negotiation techniques; strong interpersonal group motivation and communication skills; desktop publishing; lead tracking. Strong understanding and experience working with various and commonly used social media platforms. Knowledge in photography, graphic artistry and typography.

Skill in the use of office equipment, i.e., personal computer; phone, fax, copy machine, scanner, digital camera, video equipment, etc.; math skills; English and grammar skills.

Ability to draft reports, documents and agreements; analyze a variety of program issues and problems and make recommendations; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with professionals, executives (public and private) department heads, co-workers and the public; work independently and deal effectively with stress caused by workload and time deadlines; detailed, disciplined, energetic, responsive, proactive self-starter who exercises initiative and independent judgment and is able to act resourcefully under varying conditions; use radios and pagers; operate automobiles and passenger vans.

Special Qualifications:

Must possess a valid State of Idaho driver’s license.

Work Environment

Work is generally performed in a typical office setting with appropriate climate controls. Tasks require a variety of physical activities, generally involve moderate muscular strain, such as walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching and lifting. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. Regular talking, hearing and seeing required in the normal course of performing the job. Common eye, hand and finger dexterity required to perform some essential functions. Mental application utilizes memory for details, listening, patience, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Function of position generally performed in controlled environment, but subject to all seasonal and weather extremes.

This position, at times, maybe be required to work early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays. It requires an ability to be on call to assist in emergencies, natural disasters, and unforeseen situations that may arise.

The City of Idaho Falls offers a highly competitive benefits package including membership in the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho, vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision and life insurance. For further information regarding City of Idaho Falls benefits, visit the Benefits section of our web page.

Temporary jobs and part-time positions that regularly work less than 20 hours per week typically do not qualify for benefits.

City of Idaho Falls

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Communication Specialist