Communications Manager - Cottage Grove, United States - City Of Cottage Grove

Description

Salary : $98, $122,865.60 Annually

Location : Cottage Grove, MN

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 853

Department: Administration

Opening Date: 04/30/2024

Closing Date: 5/20/2024 9:00 AM Central

Job Summary

This role requires a dynamic, articulate, and highly organized individual with a passion for public service and community engagement. This position is responsible for creating and administering the city's communications plan to promote city initiatives, foster a culture of engagement, maximize communications resources, and ensure a unified city message. The communications manager is also responsible for planning, managing, and directing the overall operations of the city's convention and visitors bureau.
Essential Job Functions

1. Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the communications division, including, but not limited to, the city's website, social media accounts, video, photographic, print and marketing materials.
2. Provides leadership and direction to the communications division for determining priorities, goals, and objectives that are aligned with the strategic direction provided by the city council to ensure communications are current, accurate, effective, and timely.
3. Assists in research, writing, editing, and proofing social media and other online and print content; provides oversight for and/or compiles, writes and disseminates newsletters, both print and electronic, which informs the community about important city business, events and opportunities.
4. Creates and/or oversees and supports development of materials, which may include reports, brochures, guides, policy manuals, flyers, posters, PowerPoint presentations, training materials, signage, fact sheets and other promotional efforts.
5. Draft, edit, research, proofread and create internal and external communications including speeches and talking points along with creating the related visual presentations for elected officials for events, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings and other events including the annual State of the City address.
6. Prepare, and deliver when necessary, effective public presentations for a variety of audiences including elected officials, commissions, staff, the community, service organizations and volunteers.
7. Coordinate public access government channel content with the South Washington County Telecommunications Commission staff.
8. Cultivate a positive relationship with local and regional media outlets. Supports press and media relations which including writing and editing of news releases, media advisories, and talking points and maintaining a current press contact list along with coordinating press conferences.
9. Professional understanding of crisis communications and the ability to manage crisis communications and provide guidance on public information dissemination during emergencies.
10. Develop and implement outreach initiatives, including a community survey, to foster meaningful engagement with residents, businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders.
11. Collaborate with department leaders and staff to ensure consistent messaging, disseminate important information, and promote a culture of open communication and collaboration.
12. Uphold and enhance the city's brand identity across all communication channels.
13. Maintains the photography files which help chronicle municipal events, activities, programs and services.
14. Manage the communications budget ensuring efficient allocation of resources and ensures that all purchasing and financial transactions are properly conducted in accordance with the city's purchasing policies and procedures.
15. Plan, manage and direct the overall operations of the Cottage Grove Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) within the framework set by the board of directors which includes the development, creation, management, and placement of content related to tourism within the city and event promotion and attendance.
16. Develop and manage the budget of the CVB and present to the CVB board for approval.
17. Coordinate and formulate the agenda for the quarterly board of directors' meetings including creation of items and presentations to the board.
18. Represent the city within the tourism industry by actively engaging in associations and attending appropriate trade shows and functions.
19. Attends and participates in professional group meetings, stays informed of new trends and innovations in the field of communications and social media, and research emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to city needs.
20. Perform all other necessary duties as apparent or assigned.

Minimum Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, communications, public relations, public administration, business administration, or closely related field. Master's degree preferred.
2. Minimum of five years of experience in strategic communications, public relations, or related field with 2-3 years of supervisory experience. Municipal government communications experience preferred.
3. Minimum of three years of experience in copywriting.
4. Strategic thinker with the ability to remain adaptable to shifts in strategy or direction.
5. Experience with brand management, digital marketing, website management, analytics, and reporting.
6. Knowledge of current trends and practices related to the use of technology in communications including knowledge of related design programs and social media platforms.
7. Strong writing and storytelling skills for effective message delivery
8. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally, electronically and in writing.
9. Ability to self-direct activities and work independently to meet goals and objectives.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Extensive knowledge of principles of public administration, with special emphasis on municipal government.
2. Highly organized with ability to establish priorities and follow them through to completion yet remain adaptable in dynamic situations.
3. High degree of professionalism including strong interpersonal skills and the ability to consider and respond to differing viewpoints in a professional manner, utilizing negotiation and positive communication methods.
4. Management skills including the ability to plan, organize, and coordinate diverse activities, supervisory ability, and department level budgeting experience.
5. Ability to engage effectively with the public and make presentations to various groups.
6. Experience with Microsoft Office products required; experience with Constant Contact (or similar email marketing platform), and Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
7. Ability to work evenings and weekends, when necessary.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, City employees, and the public.

This is a summary of City benefits, all employees should consult the Non-Represented Pay Plan and/or personnel policy for the exact language pertaining to pay and benefits.

MN Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
All members contribute 6.5% of their gross pay into their PERA retirement account on a pretax basis. The City also contributes 7.5% of an employee's gross pay to PERA, which PERA uses to fund the state run defined benefit pension plan.

For those employees in the Police and Fire plan, members contribute 11.3% of their gross pay into their PERA retirement account on a pretax basis. The City also contributes 16.95% of an employee's gross pay to PERA, which PERA uses to fund the state run defined benefit pension plan.

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
Employees also have the option of participating in a deferred compensation plan. All monies that go into this plan are on a pretax basis. The minimum an employee must contribute is $10.00 per pay period and the maximum is $23,000/year which translates into $884.61 per pay period. If the employee is over 50 there is also a catch-up provision where an employee can contribute an additional $7,500 per year.

Roth 457 Plan
Employees also have the option of participating in a Roth 457 plan. All monies that go into this plan are on an after-tax basis. The minimum an employee must contribute is $10.00 per pay period and the maximum is $23,000/year which translates into $884.61 per pay period. If the employee is over 50 there is also a catch-up provision where an employee can contribute an additional $7,500 per year.

Roth IRA
Employees also have the option of participating in a Roth IRA plan. All monies that go into this plan are on an after-tax basis. The minimum an employee must contribute is $10.00 per pay period and the maximum is $7,000/year which translates into $269.00 per pay period. If the employee is over 50 there is also a catch-up provision where an employee can contribute an additional $1,000 per year. There are income limits that must be met to qualify.

Minnesota State Retirement System Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP)
For employees in pay grades X01-X02 of the Non-represented Pay Plan and the City Administrator, they will contribute 2% of their annual salary.

For employees in pay grades 7-21 of the Non-represented Pay Plan, they will contribute 1% of their annual salary.

Long-term Disability
Employees may purchase a long-term disability policy to cover 60% of their pay. Coverage for long-term disability starts on the 91st day of injury or illness. The benefits received under LTD are currently not subject to income taxes, the premium is taxed instead.

Short-term Disability
After an employee has passed probation the City self funds a short-term disability plan. This coverage starts on the 21st day of an injury or illness and may cover up to 90 days.

Health Insurance
All new full-time employees must take at least single medical coverage.

The EMPLOYER contributions for 2024 will be as follows:

2024 Monthly Premium
Passport Premium Employer Employee
Single $519.13 $519.13 $0.00
Single + 1 $1,090.18 $763.13 $327.05
Single + Children $986.30 $690.41 $295.89
Family $1,453.55 $1,017.49 $436.06

HSA Passport Plan
Employee- 100% of premium
Employee + One- 70% of premium
Employee + Children- 70% of premium
Family- 70% of premium

The Passport plan has a, $4,500- employee and $9,000- all others, deductible. However, the employee will be responsible for, $2,500- employee and $5,000- all others, of the deductible amount. The remainder will be covered by the employer through a HRA. Of the $2,500/$5,000 amount the employer will contribute $1,400/$2,800 in to the employee's HSA, on a matching basis. The employer contribution amount is provided on a matching basis of 2 (two) employer dollars for every 1 (one) dollar contributed by the employee, up to the annual employer maximum. The employer HSA contributions will be made in two equal payments, the first pay dates in January and July. Both plans will have an imbedded deductible. There is an 80/20 payment arrangement once the deductible is met, whereby the insurance company pays 80 percent and the employee/employer pay the other 20 percent, up to an out of pocket maximum. The out of pocket maximums are, $5,800- employee and $11,600- all others. If the employee/employer experience out of pocket costs, the employer will cover up to the $1,300- employee and up to the $2,600- all others.

Dental Insurance
The City offers dental insurance at no cost to the employee as long as they are on the City's health insurance. For single plus one the premium is $56.80 per month. For family coverage the premium is $101.94 per month.

Life Insurance
The City pays for term life insurance at one times an employee's base annual salary. For example if an employee's base annual salary was $33,737.60, the City would pay for $34,000 worth of life insurance. Employees also have the option of purchasing supplemental life insurance for themselves and their dependents as an out-of-pocket cost, up to $200,000 for the employee, $100,000 for his/her spouse and either $5,000 or $10,000 for children.

NCPERS Life Insurance (PERA Life)
This is an optional life insurance plan that costs $16.00 per month. It is a group term life and accidental death & dismemberment plan for employees. It also has group term life for the employee's spouse and eligible dependents.

Workers Compensation Insurance
All employees are covered by workers compensation insurance.

Injury on Duty
If an employee is injured on the job the City will supplement whatever the injured employee is paid by workers compensation up to base pay, up to 90 days.

Annual Leave
In lieu of vacation and sick pay the City has Annual Leave which can be used for either purpose.
Employees with 0 to 4 years City employment accrue 5.84 hours per pay period.
Employees with 5 to 9 years City employment accrue 6.76 hours per pay period.
Employees with 10 to 14 years City employment accrue 7.69 hours per pay period.
Employees with 15 to 19 years City employment accrue 8.92 hours per pay period.
Employees with 20+ years City employment accrue 9.53 hours per pay period.
No employee may carry over more than 264 hours of Annual Leave from one year to the next. If any employee's balance is above 264 those hours are forfeited.

Holidays
All employees who work the full year get 12 paid holidays and 1 paid floating holiday.

Bereavement Leave
Each eligible employee may request up to three (3) shifts of bereavement leave in the event of a death in the immediate family. Immediate family is defined as: spouse, parent (including stepparent or legal guardian), child (including stepchild/foster child), sibling (including stepsibling), grandparent, grandchild, parent-in-law, brother/sister-in-law, and son/daughter-in-law.

Health FSA
Employee may put up to $2,750 in to an account on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible medical and dental expenses.

*For those that contribute to a HSA, the Health FSA is limited to eligible vision and dental expenses.

Dependent Care FSA
Employee may put up to $5,000 in to an account on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible dependent care expenses.

01

Do you hold a bachelor's degree in Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration or closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you hold a Master's degree in Journalism, Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, Business Administration or closely related field?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a position of broad communications responsibilities?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you a Veteran, or the surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran, that has been issued a DD214 form?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you a disabled Veteran as determined by the United States Veterans Administration? Or, are you the spouse of a disabled Veteran who because of the disability is unable to qualify for this position?

• Yes
• No

06

Describe your experience overseeing website management and/or your ability to maintain and update a website.

07

Describe your knowledge and use of social media tools.

08

Describe your experience preparing a monthly newsletter, Annual Report or other regular publications.

09

Describe your experience assisting Public Safety with any crisis communication or work with a Police Public Information Officer (PIO).

10

Describe your experience creating PowerPoint presentations, flyers, brochures and other visual graphic productions.

11

Describe your experience producing Facebook Live presentations and/or any other videos you have created/produced or video script writing you have done.

12

Describe your knowledge of municipal operations and how you gained the knowledge.

13

List anything else you think is relevant to this position.

Required Question