Job Description

The City of Cedar Park

What Makes the City of Cedar Park a great place to work:

Challenging - Fast-Paced - Sense of Community - Valued Employees - Engaging

Customer Service - Sincerity in Willingness to Help - Friendly - Hard-Working - Intensity
Team Work - Collaboration - Sense of Belonging - Positive Environment
Fun - Opportunities - Development - Training

The Position

The City of Cedar Park is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Communications & Media Specialist. Under the direction of the Director of Community Affairs, the Communications & Media Specialist will serve as the City\'s primary writer and as liaison between the City of Cedar Park and the news media as well as liaison between the community and the City when important issues and special situations arise. Work includes the creation, dissemination and circulation of City news, project updates; promotion of Cedar Park in the media; and management of government access cable channel CPTV-10; actively participates in content development for the City\'s publications, reports, website and social media accounts. Other responsibilities include participating in the planning and execution of special events, creation of publications, marketing, and branding.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Primarily responsible for developing, writing, and coordinating internal and external content with a demonstrated ability to use various media methods, including but not limited to reports, press releases, social media, email marketing, slide shows, print and digital. Must have excellent writing and editing skills, including editing copy for communication content and balancing the strategic and creative mindset with meticulous attention to detail;
• Serves as City\'s primary spokesperson for the news media, and provides guidance and supervision to department heads for media interviews;
• Manages all media inquiries and media relations for the City of Cedar Park, including the production and distribution of press releases, official statements, and "pitching" stories;
• Establishes and maintains relationships with neighborhood leaders and property management companies including maintaining contact databases;
• Participates in maintenance and processes used for the successful operation of all City Council Chambers and other City audio-visual equipment; provide A/V support to other City departments;
• Participates with community affairs staff and other City staff in the successful creation and execution of marketing and advertising campaigns, community engagement events and overall communications efforts including the City\'s internal and external e-newsletters;
• Crafts messaging via the City\'s website, and social media accounts, directing the conversation and responding to inquiries/issues from various stakeholders;
• Offers suggestions and creates and implements maintenance, content and updates to the City\'s website, social media accounts and public education and government access television channel;
• Strategically plans long-term to ensure that departmental goals as they relate to City\'s vision and core values are met and/or exceeded;
• Prepares and processes purchase orders, has purchasing authority for up to $5,000 without supervisor approval;
• Maintains continuous contact with supervisor to ensure that they are updated and informed of media inquiries and responses and important issues/current topics, so that City Manager\'s Office/Deputy and Assistant City Managers and City Council Members receive timely information;
• Maintains positive working relationship with other City communications and media specialists;
• Serves as a resource/advisor to department heads and other management staff with regards to messaging and public/media response;
• Provides input and suggests approaches for communicating about and responding to crises or emergency issues as they arise;
• Creates talking points for City Management, City Council, department heads on important issues, topics and crises, clearly articulating the City\'s official position on such matters; and
• Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
• Attend various board meetings including the weekly city council meeting, which are held outside of normal business hours.

Acceptable Experience, Training, Certifications and Licenses

Qualified applicants will possess:

• Bachelor Degree in Communication or a related field; plus a minimum of five (5) years of experience working in a municipal environment or directly with the media in a similar position; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities;
• Valid Texas Driver\'s License, with acceptable driving record;
• Certified Public Communicator, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of: English language: the structure and content including meaning of words and grammar; copy writing and editing; understands media outlets and the rules of engagement when dealing with the media; associated content and formatting requirements for press and other media releases; techniques for working effectively with the media and the general public; and conflict resolution techniques used to identify and diffuse problems.; various forms of technology including personal computer, smart phone, camera equipment and lighting kits.

Skill/Ability to: maintain the processes used for the successful operation of all City Council Chambers audio-visual equipment; work with Community Affairs staff and other City staff in the successful creation and execution of marketing and advertising campaigns, community engagement events and overall communications efforts using Adobe Creative Suite, a specialized graphic art software; participate in the maintenance, content and updates of the City\'s websites, social media accounts and public education and government access television channel; operate a variety of office equipment including but not limited to computer, and copier; experience in using computer programs such as Excel, Word, Outlook, and specific graphic design software; demonstrate high level of proficiency in oral and written communication; exercise professionalism and judgement when interacting with the general public and the media; maintain confidentiality when appropriate.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Organizational Relationships
Reports to: Director of Community Affairs
Directs: None
Other: Has frequent contact with City Manager, Assistant City Managers, Council Members, department heads, the media and the general public.

Supplemental Information

Key Highlights about the City of Cedar Park!

The City of Cedar Park is a vibrant community of 82,220 consistently ranked by the U.S. Census Bureau as one of the fastest growing communities in the Austin metro. Named for a popular park and rail stop in the late 1800s, Cedar Park is now home to two professional sports teams, the Texas Stars AHL hockey team and the Austin Spurs NBA G-league basketball team, as well a growing number of high tech and major manufacturing employers. Cedar Park has several rankings by a variety of sources as one of the Best Cities for Families and one of the Safest Cities in Texas.

Discover Cedar Park:
Our 2023 Resident Survey:
Tourism site for Cedar Park:

Join our team of dynamic, talented, and dedicated professionals. We work together, we enjoy serving the community, and we have fun at what we do. Join us today!

The City is an equal opportunity employer that maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with respect to each employee and applicant for employment. The City affirms its commitment that there shall be no discrimination against applicants or employees because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other protected status.

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