Community Information Coordinator - City of McPherson

Community Information Coordinator

City of McPherson                                                                                  

Administration Department

 

POSITION SUMMARY

                       

Under the direction of the City Administrator, the position maintains the City’s and CVB’s website with events and pertinent information about important information regarding the City and CVB Activities.  This person is responsible for maintaining the online schedule, soliciting news items from different departments, disseminating news releases from department heads to local media, updating all job postings on the website and maintaining the media library. This person will maintain City’s social media presence for McPherson, Kansas, McPherson Road Construction and conditions, Visit McPherson and other city related social media pages.   Position will assist community organizations in promoting their events by writing articles and designing promotional pieces to be distributed to media contacts or the community at large. Position would also assist all city departments with any marketing needs including news release preparation, graphic design and contest promotion or implementation. This person is responsible for maintaining and updating all social media-Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and other Social Media Outlets for the City of McPherson. Position would also answer phones in a friendly manner and help all walk in traffic with questions and concerns about McPherson.

 

This person works directly with the various city person on events ranging from small group settings to citywide events.   Must possess excellent communication/networking skills, organizational skills, public relations skills. Furthermore, the coordinator must have strong writing skills, computer skills, and be knowledgeable about the social networking media industry. Furthermore, this person should have a friendly countenance and creative personality and also must be self-starter, be able to multi-task, and be able to work independently. This is a full-time exempt position with the City of McPherson.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

·         Assists with daily operations of the Administration Department including serving as first point of communication for citizens, vendors, and visitors with questions and concerns;

·         Serves as the Assistant City Clerk in an official capacity backing up the City Clerk;

·         Serves as the Public Information Officer during a major disaster or recovery event for the City of McPherson.

·         Coordinates the production, streaming, and recording of public meetings for the City of McPherson;

             WORKING CONDITIONS:

 

·         Coordinates placement of all official publications, hearing notices, and other official notices to be placed on the official city website;

·         Is responsible for assisting department heads with external communication efforts to insure consistency in presenting City information to the public in a timely and effective manner;

·         Researches departmental activities in order to write copy for newsletters and press releases, interviewing department heads for input;

• Maintain all City social media outlets, this includes City of McPherson;
• Makes written and oral presentations to associations;
• Take pictures and/or videos during City events and activities for use in external communications;
• May assist with designing brochures, community newsletters, web pages, and social media content;
• Serves as the City website webmaster. This includes City of McPherson website and Visit McPherson website;
• Assist and/or develop a video production system for the City of McPherson and McPherson CVB;

·         Maintain a comprehensive list of events throughout the year;

·         Follows City policies and procedures;

·         Coordinates placement of all official publications, hearing notices, and other official notices to be placed on the official city website;

·         Assists with daily operations of the Administration Department including serving as first point of communication for citizens, vendors, and visitors with questions and concerns;

·         Serves in a back up role other members of the administrative team when necessary. This may include some limited bookkeeping and accounting procedures;

·         Assists in process improvement efforts to maximize efficiencies within the administration department and across the organization;

·         Performs bank reconciliation process for city bank accounts.

 

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS                                                                                                             

·         Coordinate the City’s and outside agencies branding efforts;

·         Performs research on the Internet;

·         Serve as Liaison with City Staff to address special needs for events in public venues (i.e. police, parks, street departments);

·         Attends City Commission meetings and other meetings as requested;

·         Perform other duties as deemed necessary or assigned.

Community Information Coordinator

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Experience: Two to four years of similar or related experience is required. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within six months to one year of employment.

Education:  A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or other related field or any equivalent combination of training and experience is necessary. This employee must possess a valid Kansas Driver’s License (K.D.L.).

Technical Skills: This employee should possess excellent organizational, public relation, oral and written communication skills. This person should be familiar with website design, writing, video production and photography. This must have or be able to obtain with six months a strong working knowledge of social media management. Have or able to obtain (within two years) all necessary Emergency Management Institute Public Information training which includes IS-29, G290, and G291/E-L0387

Problem Solving: Independent problem solving is involved in this position.

Decision Making: Independent decision making is involved in this position. This employee makes decisions regarding the prioritizing of work assignment and performing daily duties in the most efficient manner.

Supervision:  This employee works under the direction of the City Administrator.

Financial Accountability: This employee is responsible for city resources. This employee does not participate in the annual budget process.

Personal Relations:  Daily contact with the general public and frequent contact with co-workers, supervisory personnel, and other various individuals from the City of McPherson, the State of Kansas and around the region is expected.

Working Conditions: No adverse working conditions exist within this position. Though some time worked will involve working in the office and making follow-up calls much of the time will involve networking and planning which requires frequent meetings away from the office. Some travel will be required.

Physical Requirements: Physical activity associated with working in an office setting is required to perform the daily duties of this position. Occasional lifting associated with setting up a booth, tables, and/or chairs is required.

 

***The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the job.