Are you looking to join a team that values Professionalism, Accountability, Integrity, and Responsiveness? Do you want to be a part of a strong team dedicated to serving our community, building relationships, and creating opportunities? Then this might be the opportunity for you!

We are looking for someone to join Team Yuma as a Communications Manager, working with City Administration. The ideal candidate will ensure City information is communicated effectively and accurately and will oversee the City's communications efforts.

Under general direction, this job classification is responsible for developing and implementing the City’s communications strategy and ensuring City information is communicated effectively, accurately, and in a timely manner to employees, residents, businesses and other community stakeholders. Oversees the City’s communications efforts including but not limited to public information, community engagement, marketing, media relations, digital communications, graphic design, website management, events, video production, photography, and emergency management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: - Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manages and directs the City’s internal and external public information and communication efforts through all media sources and platforms.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive communications strategy for the City and manages the City brand.
• Anticipates media inquiries and responses; advises City Council Members, City Administration, department directors, and City staff on communications related issues.
• Prepares staff and elected officials for media interviews and events especially those relating to high profile and/or politically sensitive issues and initiatives.
• Leads external communication efforts, ensuring consistency in presenting City information to the public in a timely and effective manner; provides oversight of written publication processes (writing articles and news releases, preparing and/or editing publications and presentations).
• Manages the dissemination of prompt, accurate emergency public information during emergency and disaster situations.
• Develops, organizes, implements and maintains an internal communications plan to communicate information to employees, ensuring a consistent, effective and efficient process.
• Develops, recommends and implements new communications methods and enhancements; promotes the organization's core values and marketing City services to residents, community groups and other external organizations.
• Manages communications staff, prioritizes projects, evaluates performance, and resolves workload and technical issues,
• Develops and manages assigned budget.
• Develops and maintains strong working relationships with government and community leaders, and the media.
• Supports City departments in their communications and marketing needs.
• Supports the relationship between the City and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with citizens, visitors, and City staff; promotes the City goals and priorities, vision, values and the “Yuma Way”, and complies with all City policies and procedures.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; enforces compliance with the confidentiality standards of the Privacy Act of 1974, {U.S.C. § 552A}; performs other duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience Guidelines

Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, marketing, communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field AND five years’ experience in communications and/or public relations; with at least one year in a lead or supervisory role; public sector experience preferred; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge of:

• City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
• Principles of marketing, public information, public relations, media relations, community engagement, crisis communication, and organizational communications.
• Principles and practices of news reporting, including research, publication, and presentation as well as a knowledge of AP style guidelines for writing news releases.
• Utilizing social media in collaboration with traditional media channels.
• Working effectively with local, regional, and national media.
• Current legislative, political, and economic trends in state and Federal government programs.
• Principles and practices of public sector personnel administration, confidential records management, and effective customer service practices.

Skill in:

• Directing and coordinating the City’s communications efforts.
• Developing community engagement and communications programs, strategies, and materials.
• Monitoring, analyzing, and evaluating effectiveness of the City’s communication efforts.
• Maintaining composure in a high-pressure environment with changing priorities.
• Interpreting and explaining City policies and procedures.
• Managing staff, delegating tasks and authority, and coaching to improve staff performance.
• Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
• Using initiative and independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Operating a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers and the public.
• Project management and event planning strategies and techniques.
• Handling sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; excellent spelling, grammar, and composition skills required.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

A valid Arizona State Driver’s License is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment, and in and around City facilities. May occasionally be required to bend, reach, stoop, and lift objects.