Communications and Events Coordinator

About the role

Reporting to the Director of Administrative Services and in collaboration with staff, leadership, and city council, this position is responsible for executing city communication efforts including writing press releases, speeches, newsletters, media outreach, local programming, and other outreach strategies as determined. This position is also responsible for assisting with facility and park rentals, special event and vendor permitting in alignment with city rules and regulations along with adhering to municipal, state, and federal code.

City of La Center employees are responsible for demonstrating the values as stated in the City's Guiding Principles, working cooperatively and collaboratively with colleagues, and delivering services to customers with a high degree of professionalism. This position is represented by Teamsters Local 58 (union).

Responsibilities

• Proactively work to enhance the Administrative Services department’s overall effectiveness and positive contribution to the city.
• Work closely with city staff, city council and the mayor to efficiently improve rapport between local government and city residents.
• Use written expertise to prepare a quarterly newsletter, speeches, news releases, and other media as requested.
• Consistently update the city’s webpage, social media, and reader board.
• Capture media at events and activities to support written content and media across platforms.
• Direct the planning and execution of annual city events, including the La Center Christmas Festival, Saturdays in the Park Concert Series, and National Night Out.
• Serve as a liaison and assist in coordination for non-City related event committees.
• Manage city facility and park rentals, ensuring documents are completed as appropriate, including special event permits.
• Enforce a variety of policies, regulations and procedures regarding the operation and use of parks and recreation facilities; assure compliance with established City and departmental policies.
• Lead civic educational courses and programs for constituents and students.
• Respond to inquiries from citizens, staff, and various stakeholders.
• Perform clerical duties as assigned including but not limited to, issuing dog licenses, sign permits, and accepting utility and permit payments.
• Follow/adhere to all city policies and procedures, and safety program regulations and requirements.
• Adhere to the City's anti-discrimination, harassment, and retaliation policies and strive to be inclusive.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Communications, Business Administration or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Two (2) or more years of experience in event coordination, communications, community engagement, and recreation programming.
• Previous work in local government is preferred.
• Experience with Associated Press (AP) style writing is preferred.
• Experience with graphic design and web content management programs (Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Canva, WordPress, etc) preferred.
• Must be proficient in using Microsoft Suites.
• Must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment reference check.