Senior Communications Officer

Salary : $105,560.04 – $128,876.76 Annually

Location : City of Rancho Cordova, CA

Job Type: Full-Time Regular

Job Number: 23-COMM-070

Department: Communications, Public Affairs and Community Engagement

Division: Community Engagement

Opening Date: 10/26/2023

Closing Date: 11/19/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA: Exempt

THE POSITION

What an exciting opportunity for a communications professional to make a positive impact while working for a desired employer in the growing community of the City of Rancho Cordova.

The ideal candidate will be an independent, self-starter with strong communications skills who can effectively disseminate important information to the public related to the projects planned for the City of Rancho Cordova. This candidate will be a seasoned and charismatic communications professional who can “read the room” and change the direction of the conversation as needed based on the needs of the group in order to build trust and relationships with the community.

The goal of the Communications Division, within the Communications & Public Affairs Department, is to promote the positive image of Rancho Cordova, to provide easy-to-understand information to all audiences across all channels, and to generate awareness/educate stakeholders about city services, projects, and issues that may affect them. The Senior Communications Officer (Community Outreach) position is integral to meeting these goals through communications efforts designed to support the city brand and departmental programs and projects. This position will focus on community outreach related to projects within the Rancho Cordova community. The Senior Communications Officer (Community Outreach) position collaborates with city departments to identify key city and community projects where proactive communication with the community is needed. This position, through timely and clear communication and meaningful outreach, helps foster and maintain positive relationships between the City and the community and transparent communication with residents and businesses. The Senior Communications Officer (Community Outreach) will create strategic outreach plans; organize community outreach efforts, including meetings, forums, and pop-up events; promote outreach efforts through mailings, website, social media, media relations, digital content and other channels; create and deliver presentations on large projects and their impacts; be comfortable presenting to residents and businesses on issues affecting their neighborhoods; and able to facilitate conversations between stakeholder groups. The incumbent in this position will continually measure the effectiveness of communications and outreach efforts, analyze results and adjust the approaches as needed in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for the City of Rancho Cordova.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Senior Communications Officer The Senior Communications Officer is an advanced professional level position with a very high degree of independence and responsibility. Positions in this class typically have more than 7 years of experience in Communications, Community Outreach, Marketing and/or Public Relations field. The incumbent at this level receives only general direction and is responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of a strategic and comprehensive community outreach plan for the City of Rancho Cordova as it relates to special projects. It is distinguished from the Communications Officer II as the latter performs the journey level professional support and initially receive some supervision in the performance of their duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Direction is provided by the Department Head or his/her designee. May oversee the project work of consultants.

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Most incumbents perform the following duties. Other related duties may be assigned.

1. Create a strategic plan for dissemination of information to the community in collaboration with City leaders related to planned large City projects. Through this process, identify potential issues and concerns, talking points and methods to minimize conflict and encourage support.
2. Create and implement a plan for measuring the efficacy of community outreach efforts, including, but not limited to utilizing the continuous feedback from the community, partner agencies and other stakeholders, and adjust future outreach efforts as appropriate.
3. Foster and maintain positive relationships with the community by providing timely, transparent and thorough information related to agency projects.
4. Engage in productive discussions with community members; assist in resolving conflicts during presentations and meetings.
5. Coordinate, attend and speak at community meetings and events.
6. Maintain relevant information on the website related to large projects.
7. Create and disseminate information on large projects through all appropriate forms of communication.
8. Train city employees on community outreach efforts related to the City’s large projects.
9. Attend City meetings related to large projects or department business, as required
10. Oversee applicable project work of consultants.
11. Media relations coordination. As a member of the team, coordinate media relations opportunities, including research, plan, draft and finalize media advisories, news releases, key messages, Q&A, talking points, video news content and photography; conduct media trainings; serve as spokesperson, as needed.
12. Collateral development. Research, plan, draft, design, edit and distribute a variety of materials, including fact sheets, brochures, news articles, annual reports and presentations.
13. Crisis communications. Support emergency communication efforts and media management during a crisis situation.
14. Team Projects.Serve on a variety of City committees or matrix teams; attend meetings and makes presentations to City Council, staff or other organizations.
15. Promote positive workplace culture.Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
16. Perform related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS & MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of and experience in:

• Strategic plan development;
• Community outreach and meeting facilitation; working with diverse groups, including residents, businesses, nonprofits, community partners and other stakeholders;
• Providing in-language communications;
• Public relations and communications; media relations; social media; digital content; website content management;
• Materials development, including fact sheets, flyers, news releases/advisories, key messages, talking points, newsletter content, news articles, and presentations;
• Crisis communications;
• Working with elected and appointed officials;
• Advanced methods of research writing and editing;
• Conflict resolution techniques;
• Workplace safety best practices;
• Modern office technology and computer applications including Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Adobe Suite, Canva, Constant Contact, iMovie and the Internet.

Ability to:

• Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with the community, media, partnering agencies and other agency stakeholders.
• Maintain strategic plans, work plans, metrics and other City tools to plan, coordinate, and implement and measure community outreach efforts.
• Be flexible and responsive to the community when faced with unexpected issues and concerns.
• Use independent judgment and tact when dealing with issues and concerns of the community in order to minimize conflict in a public setting.
• Independently prepare a wide variety of communications and marketing collateral.
• Understand and interpret the projects and project goals of various city departments.
• Develop, design and produce city materials as needed.
• Effectively speak in front of small and large groups.
• Work non-traditional and/or extended hours, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Provide high quality services to the Rancho Cordova community, placing emphasis on responsiveness, knowledge-sharing and empathy.
• Maintain integrity of work by taking responsibility and accountability for prompt completion of work and customer interactions.
• Maintain punctuality and attendance at work.
• Effectively contribute collaboratively to a team effort.
• Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate a civic entrepreneurial spirit by generating new, innovative ideas and development of better methods to accomplish tasks and complete projects.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES: A combination of education and experience that will provide the ability to perform the work and provide the performance results as stated above. A typical way of gaining the experience and education would be:

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, English, or a related field.

AND EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in Communications, Marketing and/or Public Relations field. At least two years of recent experience must include supervising community outreach efforts and/or complex communications efforts at the campaign level, from plan development to implementation to measurement/reporting.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Requires possession of a current valid California Class C driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City.
PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
Requires the mobility and manual dexterity to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment and attend off-site meetings; speech and hearing to communicate in person and by telephone; vision to read handwritten and printed materials and a computer screen; and strength and agility to lift and carry items weighing up to 30 pounds; and emotional and psychological capability to work alone, concentrate, or have frequent public and/or coworker contact. On a continuous basis work in an office environment sitting at a desk for long periods of time; travel to and from meetings and events sitting in vehicle; bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist while performing field work; may be exposed to dust, noise, machinery, moving objects and other vehicles while performing field work; may work on uneven or slippery surfaces; and may intermittently perform field work while exposed to various types of weather including extreme heat during summer months and cold temperatures during the winter months. Some accommodations may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Rancho Cordova complies with the letter and spirit of the Equal Employment Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities laws in its employment process. Please advise the Human Resources Department of any reasonable accommodation you need in order to participate in the City’s application process.

EXEMPT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT SUMMARY

CALPERS Retirement

Tier 1: Employees hired prior to December 31, 2012, and “Classic Members” hired subsequently with less than a six month break in service, are provided 2.7% at 55 retirement formula. City employees pay the full 8% of their base pay toward this retirement benefit.

Tier 2: Due to the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (Assembly Bill 340), new MISC members hired after January 1, 2013, or “Classic Members” with a break in service of more than 6 months, are eligible for the 2% @ 62 CalPERS retirement formula and are required to pay a 7.75% contribution toward the PERS benefit. (Note: the employee contribution will change as the cost of the benefit changes, since the employee is required to pay half the normal cost.)

1959 Survivor Benefit (Indexed Level) – The 1959 Survivor Benefit provides a monthly allowance to eligible survivors of members who die while actively employed. The monthly benefit payable to survivors in the Indexed Level increases by 2% each year. Benefit amounts as of 2023 are $788, $1,577 and $2,365 for 1, 2, or 3 eligible survivors.

457 and 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan

• City will contribute $23.08 per pay period into the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of the employee.
• City will match up to 3% of the base salary for employees who participate in the 457 plan. City match is placed in a 401(a) plan. There is no vesting period.
• Employees may also voluntarily participate in the 401(a) defined contribution retirement program; however, election must be made upon hire and is irrevocable during employment with the city.

Health Insurance (medical, dental and vision) – The City offers a “cafeteria plan,” which includes a monthly medical stipend the employee may apply toward premiums for medical, dental and vision.

• $2,010 Family level benefit
• $1,685 Employee+1
• $990 Employee only

Cash-in-lieu – If your total health, vision and/or dental premium costs are lower than $300, you may receive the difference as cash in lieu up to a total of $300. If you do not need to purchase medical, dental or vision benefits from the City, you are eligible for a total of $300 cash in lieu per month.

Medical Benefits Retiree Health – CalPERS plans made available and retiree medical contribution offered toward the cost of the plan. In 2023, the retiree medical contribution is $143.45 per month. The retiree medical contribution will continue to increase until it is equal to the minimum contribution required by CalPERS for the employer to pay on behalf of an employee.

Dental –Delta Dental PPO

• Deductibles $50 per person each calendar year
• Maximums $1,500 – $2,500 per person each calendar year
• Preventative services – 100% covered
• Basic services – 80% covered
• Major services – 50% covered
• Waiting Period(s) – None

Vision – Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Medical FSA for the plan year is $3,050 (maximum)
• Dependent Care FSA for the plan year is $5,000 (maximum)

Universal Time Off (UTO) – vacation and sick leave combined.

Universal Time Off Cash Out – Employees may cash out up to 80 hours in fiscal year 23/24.

Bereavement Leave – On the date of hire, employees are entitled to 24 hours of Bereavement Leave per event due to the death of a member of an employee’s immediate family.

Holidays – 11 Holidays per year plus 1 floating holiday

Winter Break – December 25 – December 29, 2023

Life Insurance – $50,000 life insurance policy.

• Life price per $1,000 $0.109
• AD&D price per $1,000 $0.205

Long Term Disability

• LTD price per $100 $0.0145
• 60% of earnings up to $7,500
• 90 day benefit waiting period

Social Security – No
Employees do not pay into and earn credit toward future benefits in Social Security, since the City offers an IRS qualifying retirement plan.

Employee Assistant Plan (EAP) – Available to employee and immediate family. Includes concierge service.

Wellness Program – On-site fitness room, shower and lockers, ping pong tables, and bikes available for employee use.

Tuition Reimbursement – Up to $2,500 per fiscal year.

Training and Development – Available and encouraged for each employee.

Updated January 2023

01

Do you have a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, Public Relations, English or a related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have at least 7 years of increasingly responsible experience in Communications, Marketing and/or a Public Relations field?

• Yes
• No

03

Only answer the following question if you answered “yes” for question #2: Do you have at least 2 years of experience supervising community outreach efforts and/or complex communications efforts at the campaign level, from plan development to implementation to measurement/reporting?

• Yes
• No

04

Select any of the following items you have at least 2 years experience with:

• News Media
• Social Media
• Community Meetings
• Website Content Management

05

Describe your experience with community outreach and crisis communications.

06

Are you willing and able to work a non-traditional work schedule to accommodate the demands of this position, including nights, weekends and holidays as needed?

• YES
• NO

Required Question