Communications Manager

Plans, coordinates, and manages the operations and activities of the City's Communications Division, including the Public Information Office (PIO) to ensure the City's key messages reach the public. Provides advice and counsel to City staff and officials in the management of community relations issues. Develops and maintains all multimedia efforts for the City of Conroe, including the website, city PEG channel, City video services, graphic design projects, and social media applications. Serves as the City's Public Information Officer and primary media liaison.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement community relations and communications programs and strategies from concept to completion.
• Assimilate and analyze information from a variety of sources and develop effective action plans.
• Maintain composure and work effectively in a high-pressure environment with changing priorities.
• Coordinate and perform a variety of technical video production duties.
• Develop and produce television programming for the City's Government Access Channel.
• Shoot, edit, and coordinate the airing of City meetings and special events.
• Operate and maintain specialized television production equipment.
• Communicate effectively with City staff, members of the media, other agencies, and the public.
• Prepare and present information to diverse audiences, including public speaking engagements.
• Assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Operate a personal computer utilizing standard and specialized software.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City staff, public officials, community groups, outside agencies, media representatives, and the general public.
• Write, edit, and communicate clearly to create a positive and professional image of the City and office.
• Exercise sound judgment in making decisions in conformance with City policies, state, and federal laws related to the release of public information.
• Handle confidential information appropriately.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.
• Five years' increasingly responsible experience in journalism, communications, and public relations; public sector experience preferred.
• Valid Class C Texas Driver's License or higher.

Knowledge

• City organization, operations, policies, and procedures.
• Current principles, techniques, and objectives of marketing, public information, mass communications, media relations, and community relations programs.
• Legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct for public sector employees.
• Current legislative, political, and economic trends in state and Federal government programs.
• Local community resources and regional community services programs.
• Project planning and management principles.
• Associated Press style writing.
• Municipal government access channels.
• Operation of professional video and photographic cameras.
• Website design and maintenance.
• Television production principles and equipment.
• Methods and techniques used in the development and production of marketing and video projects.
• FCC guidelines and policies governing public access television.

Skills

• Effective verbal and written communication.
• Public speaking and presentation to diverse audiences.
• Operating specialized television production equipment.
• Shooting, editing, and coordinating video projects.
• Project management and prioritization.

Physical Demands

• Work is performed in a standard office environment and in and around City facilities.
• Subject to sitting for extended periods, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and operating audiovisual equipment.
• Regularly lifts objects up to 40 pounds; constantly lifts 10-25 pounds.
• Position is on-call 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
• May require readiness to appear on camera at a moment's notice.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Retirement plan.
• Employee assistance program.
• Paid time off.
• Free membership at the City's pool and recreation center facilities.

Pay

$96,161 annually.