Communications & Community Relations Manager

Class Title: Communications & Community Relations Manager

Class Code: COM CR MANAGER

Hourly: $52.84 - $74.47 | Monthly: $9160.13 - $12907.99 | Annually: $109921.57 - $154895.93

Benefits: Full-time

OVERVIEW:

This classification is responsible for directing all aspects of the District’s internal and external communications and public relations, including developing and establishing communication initiatives, managing strategies to strengthen the District’s reputation, building positive relationships with patrons/community, and reinforcing the District’s identity.  This classification also serves as the manager for the Community Relations Department that consists of marketing, sponsorships, website and digital media, volunteer engagement, public relations, foundation administration, and overall communication planning for the District.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the supervision of the Executive Director.  Operates entirely independently with the exception of confirming major decisions.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Direct supervision is exercised over Community Relations Department staff, including hiring training, managing and evaluating performance, developing strategic goals, providing discipline, responding to grievances, and making termination decisions.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

The information provided below encompasses the typical duties and capabilities linked with this classification.  Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Establishes overall priorities, goals and objectives for the Community Relations Department; works with the Marketing Manager and Community Engagement Supervisor to establish goals and objectives and set direction for each of the divisions in the areas of budget, project management, process development, staffing and the provisions of community relations; oversees the District’s relationship with the Bend Park and Recreation Foundation; oversees the District’s volunteer program and the marketing strategy for the District, including all advertisement, promotion of recreation programs, and opportunities in parks and trails..
• Develops and implements the District’s communications strategy and public relations plan, including communicating plan to District staff and ensuring plan is consistently carried out.
• Formulates the Community Relations Department’s annual work plans to meet the District’s strategic goals.
• Serves as a spokesperson for the District; advises board members and management staff on aspects of communications; prepares District staff and board members when requested to serve as a spokesperson.
• Writes and develops presentations, talking points and outlines for Executive Director, board members and key staff.
• Coordinates significant District initiatives and projects including developing specialized public relations and communication plans.
• Serves as liaison between the District and media, directing all media contacts and maintaining professional relationships with the media.
• Oversees the creation and distribution of written publications, including writing articles, preparing and/or editing publications and presentations.
• Plans and prepares for public meetings; provides support and/or facilitation at public meetings as needed.
• Develops public outreach plans in coordination with other departments.
• Cultivates and builds external partnerships and relationships to strengthen District connection with the community; actively participates in the community, service organizations and neighborhood associations; maintains positive relations with stakeholders and donors.
• Manages the Community Relations Department and supervises staff.
• Participates as a member of the District’s Executive Team.
• Prepares, administers and monitors department budget.
• Assists Executive Assistant in fulfilling open records request.
• Coordinates with other agencies and leads District staff in emergency communications.
• Works with District staff to resolve community issues and citizen concerns.
• Acts as a Mandatory Reporter; reports incidents of child abuse/neglect.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY REQUIREMENTS:

The individual in this classification is expected to possess and exhibit the following knowledge, skills and abilities.

Strong Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of public and media relations, marketing, advertising and administration related to intergovernmental relations, strategic planning and project management;
• Principles, practices and techniques of public information, including maintenance of public records;
• Public relations and community outreach programs;
• Methods and techniques for creating effective media and public relations materials;
• Effective business communications;
• Industry trends and media practices as they apply to developing and carrying out public information and public affairs program;
• Effective use of print, broadcast and digital media including publications, social networking/media and web-based communication applications;
• Print, video, and digital technologies; and
• Grammar, and composition and techniques of public.

Skill and Ability to:

• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• Interact and communicate to media with accuracy, poise, credibility and using appropriate voice control;
• Interpret and apply applicable laws, codes, regulations, and standards;
• Write and develop presentations, technical documents, press releases and articles;
• Work with politically sensitive and/or complex situations, analyze complex problems and develop creative solutions;
• Manage, monitor, train and evaluate staff;
• Effectively establish, manage, and facilitate partnerships;
• Facilitate group processes;
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs;
• Conduct planning and research including statistical analysis, survey methodology, and identifying trends;
• Exercise initiative and good judgment;
• Analyze, interpret and present statistical data to audiences of varying levels of subject sophistication;
• Develop and monitor a budget;
• Prioritize and organize work;
• Use independent judgment; excellent supervisory, interpersonal, problem solving and conflict resolution skills;
• Strong listening, analytical, research and critical thinking skills; and
• Work cooperatively with others and create a positive, constructive and respectful relationship with staff and the general public.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are minimum qualifications for this classification.

Education, Experience, and Training:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, Marketing or related field; AND
2. Six (6) years progressive work experience in community relations administration with experience and knowledge of the Bend community preferred; AND
3. Three (3) years of supervisory experience; OR
4. Any satisfactory combination of education, experience and training.

Licenses and Certifications:

1. Possession of, or ability to obtain with 30 days of hire, a valid Oregon driver’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The following are working conditions, including environmental and physical demands, required for this classification.

• Often requires long hours including attending evening meetings and working weekend hours.
• Work is primarily performed in an office environment and requires the ability to work and maintain focus in a work environment with moderate noise (i.e., working around others making periodic phone calls or having conversations) and with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to have clarity of vision at 20 inches or less.
• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; those activities where detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed to other works accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and making fine discriminations in sound.
• Must be able to travel to locations in, around, or outside the greater Bend area.
• Remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) for extended periods of time, move about the office occasionally.
• Ability to maintain sustained concentration on computer screens; use keyboards and a variety of peripherals.
• Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers, while operating computer keyboards, telephone, and standard office equipment.
• Pressures and stress include meeting deadlines, dealing with a wide variety of citizen concerns, and balancing divergent public opinion.
• Physical exertion includes walking, standing, sitting, bending and the ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds unassisted, pushing, and pulling.
• Requires crouching, bending, kneeling or reaching

STATUS:

Exempt

Full-Time

Benefits: Full-time

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