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Make a difference in the community you live in! As a Community Builder—an employee with the City of Gainesville— you will have a direct hand in building and improving your community and making a visible impact on the lives of your neighbors. Working for local government is more than a job, it’s a chance to contribute to community success and to help enhance the Gainesville way of life.

Department:

9140 GRU - Communications

Salary Range Minimum:

$60,408.16

Salary Range Maximum:

$92,026.18

Closing Date:

07/01/2024

Job Details:

Are you a well-rounded, experienced communications professional who wants to make a difference in your community? We are seeking a dynamic Senior Communications Specialist to craft compelling narratives, drive impactful communication strategies and build strong relationships with employees and customers. The department oversees all messaging, brand management, promotions, advertising and public relations for GRU.GRU is Gainesville's multi-service utility company and is fifth (5th) largest municipal electric utility in Florida.

This is professional work promoting and educating consumers about the products and services offered by the utilities. Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under general supervision.  Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its minimal supervisory responsibility, its emphasis on internal and external communications, and its latitude for independent judgment.

Job Description:

SUMMARY

This is professional work promoting and educating consumers about the products and services offered by the utilities.

Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under general supervision.  Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its minimal supervisory responsibility, its emphasis on internal and external communications, and its latitude for independent judgment.

EXAMPLES OF WORK*

*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position.  The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job.  Performance of lower level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Depending on the area of assignment:

Develops and implements communication plans to help support both short and long range objectives for the utilities.

Assists in development of plans to support specific communication objectives, and monitors and measures progress toward goals.  Updates as necessary.

Provides support for City/GRU initiatives and events as needed.

Identifies prospective new customers and needs for new and emerging services and identifies opportunities that enhance intermediate and long-term communication and marketing position.

Works closely with communication staff as well as other City/GRU departments to coordinate communication objectives. Develops communication materials across multiple platforms for various target audiences.  These platforms can include, but are not limited to, interactive, mass, target, broadcast media, websites, special events, and trade shows.

Plans, assigns, coordinates, supervises and evaluates the work of support staff, student interns and volunteers.

Assists in coordination of volunteer efforts that help achieve GRU objectives.

Serves as GRU’s assistant public information officer, spokesperson and/or media liaison during emergencies and non-emergencies.

Develops information pieces for, and maintains relationships with, a variety of target audiences including but not limited to, employees, the financial community, professional and industry associations, customers, general public and the news media.

Designs and implements or obtains customer research to evaluate and quantify results, then adjusts strategies to meet the changing conditions.

Makes recommendations to management regarding strategies that will help GRU meet communication objectives.

Assists in development of the department’s annual budget.

Participates in industry and professional organizations and associations.

Works closely with utilities sales team to meet sales objectives.

Manages content on utilities customer-facing and internal websites, including general page maintenance and new projects.

Creates literature and other forms of communication for utilities.

Creates promotional materials, both print and electronic.

Works with advertisers and advertising agencies for timely and useable ad submissions.

Copyedits, proofreads and revises communication materials.

Creates and distributes press releases, media advisories, case studies, white papers, executive biographies, social media content and speaking proposals.

Participates in departmental media on-call schedule on a monthly basis or as needed.

Facilitates internal meetings at the executive level.

Promotes products and services through public relations initiatives.

Researches media coverage and industry trends.

Develops fresh story ideas.

Conducts extensive media outreach.

Prepares briefing materials.

Coordinates scheduling and logistics.

Coordinates conferences, trade shows and press interviews.

Manages information.

Prepares agendas and conducts research.

Identifies, develops and executes communication strategies for key media contacts and customer references.

Produces image and video content for internal and external audiences.

Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

May act in absence of supervisor.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily.  Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in English, marketing, public relations, advertising, journalism or communications, or related field, and four (4) years of experience in communications, public relations, journalism or other related work activities promoting corporate communications; or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses

A valid United States Driver License is required at time of appointment.  A valid Florida Driver License required within thirty (30) days of appointment.

Certifications

None

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of external and internal communications.

Ability to determine appropriate opportunities to reach target audiences including, but not limited to, interactive, mass, target, broadcast media, social media websites, websites, special events and trade shows.

Ability to work with outside contractors such as public relations firms, advertising agencies, designers, videographers, and printers to develop promotional materials.

Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with diverse population segments and community organizations.

Ability to maintain a professional demeanor to communicate and work effectively, both orally and in writing with employees, customers, the general public, the news media, and elected officials under emergency and non-emergency conditions.

Demonstrated knowledge of personal computers and related departmental software.

Ability to conduct and analyze research and develop strategies to act upon research findings.

Ability to independently review source materials on a wide range of topics and effectively communicate financial and technical information, both orally and in writing (using correct English and grammar), in a clear, concise, and interesting manner suitable for the target audience.

Ability to plan, coordinate, and implement special events.

Ability to analyze problems and exercise sound professional judgment in achieving results.

Ability to plan, assign, coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the work of support staff, interns, and volunteers.

Ability to keep records and prepare reports.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Demonstrated ability to work independently with enthusiasm and sense of urgency.

Ability to use computer software applications to perform video and audio editing.

Ability to operate complex video and audio equipment to record programs and events for broadcast.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work related environmental conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to sit for prolonged periods of time.

Requires physical ability sufficient to safely perform all essential job functions including the ability to lift, move, and arrange equipment, materials, and props.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Requires work outside normal business hours, including nights, weekends and holidays.

May require on-call rotation during both emergencies and non-emergencies. 

Note: 

May Require Assessment(s).

May fill multiple positions.

May establish an eligibility list.

Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy. Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.

If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at HR@cityofgainesville.org or by calling 352-334-5077.