Position Description

The City of Rochester invites applications for the position of:

Communications & Engagement Coordinator

The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.

We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.

It takes us all working together

Communications & Engagement Statement of Intent

Consistently engage and clearly communicate news, opportunities, and information to community members in an inclusive, transparent, and thoughtful way that allows their voices to be heard and incorporated into the work of the City of Rochester.

Nature of Work

The Communications & Engagement Coordinator plans, implements, and leads communications and community engagement activities supporting Strategic Transformation & Initiatives.

Under the direction of the Strategic Communications & Engagement Director, this position serves as a lead consultant to the Strategic Transformation & Initiatives impact team and supports coordinated communications, public information, and community engagement efforts. The Communications & Engagement Coordinator works closely with City departments to develop, maintain, and implement effective short- and long-range communication strategies, policies, and practices.

This role helps build proactive, clear, and consistent two-way communication between City government and residents, businesses, organizations, visitors, and other stakeholders. Responsibilities include developing processes and tools that support transparent communication, accessible information sharing, and meaningful community engagement. The position supports direct community engagement by coordinating and facilitating open houses, neighborhood meetings and community conversations to gather feedback and share information about City initiatives and projects.

Work includes supporting communications and engagement for a range of public realm and infrastructure projects using a business-forward approach and methodology.

The Communications & Engagement Coordinator also supports the Strategic Communications & Engagement Director and City leadership in advancing organizational goals related to communications and equitable community engagement.

Limited Term Appointment: This is a limited-term position that is available for 4 years and is contingent upon the availability of allocated funds, as well as favorable performance by the incumbent. At the end of this time, the position will be eliminated unless the City elects ongoing continuation.

Pay: 2025 salary is $88,718 to $104,375 based on qualifications, with advancement to $130,469 when the 2026 rate of pay becomes available this will be updated.

Schedule: The typical work schedule 8 AM - 5 PM Monday through Friday with evening and weekend work based on the timing of community events. Remote work is available on a hybrid basis.

To have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by Tuesday March 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM CST.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.

Duties And Responsibilities*Create and maintain a positive public image for Departments and divisions through preparing communications, making presentations and serving on various groups within the community.*Prepare Departmental and divisional marketing budgets, securing marketing services and manage contract services. *Provide guidance to Departments, divisions and projects for communications and equitable engagement activities.Serve as a Public Information Officer (PIO)* ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Plan, develop and implement marketing, communications and public awareness strategies.
Develop and implement departmental and division communication plans in alignment with strategic goals and objectives.
Develop and execute equitable public engagement activities related to services, projects and initiatives that increase community understanding of impacts, benefits and encourage public participation.
Create and implement effective communication/awareness campaigns that have wide-ranging or long-lasting impacts on the community.
Establish and cultivate channels of communication between the Departments, residents, businesses and community stakeholders that provide a better understanding of the community’s wants, needs, and interests related to the City.
Develop communication material (news releases, publications, special articles, scripts, newsletters, social media content, online Story Maps, etc.)
Develop, execute and analyze surveys that collect pertinent project information about community behaviors, needs and opinions that can further inform Department activities, including the City’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
Utilize data and analytical tools to strategically market to and engage with community members, particularly those from often underrepresented groups and evaluate effectiveness of marketing and communication plans.
Employ innovative, intentional, and strategic communications and engagement practices and tools to create an equitable community engagement strategy which increases community participation and collaboration in various decision-making processes.
Act as one of the primary contacts for the media and conduct interviews on behalf of the Department. Coordinate interviews with subject matter experts as necessary.
Within the community and organization, ensure increased understanding and support for Departmental and division programs, services, and policies.
Represent the Departments and divisions at community events and presentations.
Plan, develop and disseminate information designed to keep the community informed of the Department’s value, programs, services, and accomplishments.
Work with teammates to coordinate consistent branding for the City and its partners.
Ensure materials produced by the Department meet standards for appropriateness, readability, quality, and plain language.
In collaboration with Departments and divisions, develop a budget for annual marketing, communications and engagement efforts.
Develop solicitations and/or Request for Proposals (RFP) for marketing and communication services.
Oversee the creation and/or procurement of various media including, but not limited to: print, broadcast and social media advertising.
Serve as the communications and engagement liaison and project manager for assigned departments and divisions.
Ensure relationships with teammates and key organizational stakeholders are developed and maintained and in a way that allows the Departmental Service Agreements be successfully executed.
Serve as a connector between Departments and divisions with other communications and engagement teammates.
Advise teammates on organizational best practices and make recommendations.
Serve as a Public Information Officer (PIO) during an activation of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and/or the Joint Information Center (JIC).
Participate in educational and training opportunities.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or closely related field and three (3) years of full-time, progressive experience performing public relations, community engagement, marketing, or similar duties.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may also be considered.

If this work interests you but you are unsure if you meet all the job requirements listed above, please apply anyway! Your experience is likely more applicable to the role than you think, and the City is interested in candidates who can bring not only technical expertise but a variety of lived experience to the team.

Licenses

A valid driver's license

Desirable Qualifications

Fluency with a second language, particularly with Spanish or Somali.

Ability to coordinate the preparation of educational materials for non-English speakers.

Ability to use the following software products or their equivalent: ESRI ArcMap, InDesign and Adobe Illustrator.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as: Sedentary Work : Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:

Continuous demands: sitting; simultaneous use of hands, wrists and fingers in working with a computer.

Frequent demands: fine dexterity

Occasional demands: standing; walking; lifting; carrying; pushing/pulling; reaching; handling; bending; twisting

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing and touch.

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:

NONE (not substantially exposed to environmental conditions)

City of Rochester, MN

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Communications & Engagement Coordinator