Brief Description Of The Job

Act as second in command for the City of Taylor Communications Office, assisting the Communications Director with all communications efforts with a strong emphasis on social media, website management, graphic design, photography, event coordination, and emergency communication support. This role will involve creating and executing strategic communications campaigns, analyzing performance metrics, planning and executing City events, and developing compelling visual content to engage the public. The Specialist will also assist the Communications Director during emergency situations, ensuring timely and effective communication to the community. Due to the nature of emergency communications and City events, the Specialist may be required to work occasional evenings and weekends and during crisis situations.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to Director of Communications. No responsibility for the direction or supervision of others. Has constant contact with City officials, employees, the general public, and media contacts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: This is a description of the way this job is currently performed; there is potential for accommodation.

Social Media Strategy and Management
- Develop, implement, and monitor social media strategies to engage the community, promote municipal services, and inform the public about important initiatives, events, and emergencies across multiple platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, etc.),
- Create and curate content for publishing ensuring consistent messaging and branding.
- Monitor social media platforms for community feedback, questions, and concerns, responding promptly or escalating to the appropriate staff.
- Track and analyze the performance of social media campaigns, adjusting strategies as necessary to increase engagement and reach.
- Provide regular reports on key performance indicators (KPIs), insights, and trends to the PIO and other stakeholders.
Content Creation and Graphic Design
- Design visually appealing content, including infographics, promotional materials, and digital assets for use across social media, websites, and other communication channels that is consistent in design quality and brand image.
- Write, edit, and coordinate the design, production, and distribution of a monthly electronic newsletter and other City publications or communications.
- Create and distribute news releases, web site news items, social media posts, cable channel content, video content, fact sheets, and other forms of communications as needed to foster involvement and heighten awareness for City services, programs, and initiatives.
- With guidance and direction from the Communications Director, shoot and edit photographs and videos for City websites, social media sites, and brochures.
- Maintain photo library.
Media Relations
- Serve as the media representative of the City with print, broadcast and online media and spokesperson for the City in media interviews when the Communications Director is not available.
- Assist in the planning and hosting of press conferences and media events.
- Provide media relations support to the Communications Director.
- Maintain current media contacts database.
- Work with media outlets to encourage favorable coverage of events.
- Serve as a spokesperson for the City when the Communications Director is not available.
Community Relations and Engagement
- Attend and represent the City at community functions, open house and community meetings, civic organizations, and governmental groups when Communications Director is not available.
- Prepare and present educational programs.
- Plan, coordinate, advertise, and execute the LEAD Taylor program, the City’s premier educational program for the public to better understand local government, community needs and challenges, and strategic priorities of the City.
Collaboration and Quality
- Provide communications and media relations support to the Communications Director, as well as other department heads and City management as needed. This includes press releases, special events planning and coordination, and photography, videography, and other related media activities.
- Work closely with other departments to ensure consistent messaging across all communication channels.
- Provide quality customer service to City staff, the general public, and all other work contacts.
- Handle all interactions with poise, tact, and diplomacy and in a confidential manner.
- Perform tasks with care and thoroughness.
- Check work to ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Compare final work product to requirements and correct errors or inconsistencies.
- Perform all job duties according to all approved safety rules and procedures.
- Stay current with best practices in municipal communications.
Strategic and Administrative Support
- Provide organizational and strategic support by participating in development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities relating to communications programs.
- Assist in communications and marketing efforts of the City to include graphics, video and marketing/advertising support.
- Support internal communication programs.
- Assist in the development and management of the budget for marketing, public relations activities, communications, and advertising for the City.
- Perform administrative functions of Communications office, including paying bills, making copies, placing orders for business cards, name tags, brochures, etc. Compile the monthly report.
- Assist the Communications Director with developing, writing, and updating engaging website content, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with the brand voice.
Emergency Communications Support
- Provide crisis communications support for emergency management events to include print, broadcast, and electronic.
- Coordinate the emergency notification system and initiate messages as needed.
- Be available during evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed to ensure effective communication during emergencies.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Communications Director or other senior management.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Strong writing, editing, and communication skills with an ability to tailor messages to diverse audiences. Prefer candidate to possess excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with a working knowledge of Associated Press Style.
Proficiency in social media post and ad creation and management on Facebook, Instagram, NextDoor, LinkedIn, X, and other patforms; and proficiency in social media analytics tools (e.g., Facebook Insights, Google Analytics, X Analytics) and the ability to interpret data to optimize campaigns.
Strong graphic design skills with proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc.) or other design tools.
Skilled in photography and videography with the ability to produce content for social media and other communications channels.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Ability to handle high-pressure situations and work outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, when necessary.
Knowledge of crisis communication best practices and emergency management protocols is a plus.
Ability to work citywide events, including late hours, evenings, and weekends.
Knowledge of new and emerging trends in communication media and technology.
Knowledge of city council-governed municipal entities, with a general understanding of ordinances and policies.
Skill in the use small office equipment, including copy machines or multi-line telephone systems.
Ability to maintain high standards of confidentiality and professionalism conducive to representing City of Taylor Administration.
Skill in using computers for data entry.
Skill in using computers for word processing and/or accounting purposes.
Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Skill in use of computer programs for producing publications.
Skill in delivering public presentations.
Skill in working effectively and efficiently with limited supervision.
Skill in reading and comprehending City policies, budgets, goals, and programs.
Skill in reading and understanding a wide variety of media sources, professional development materials and communication.
Skill in writing and editing news releases, newsletters, website text, scripts, reports, advertisements, pamphlets, letters to the editor, and other forms of written communication; applies appropriate style guidelines.
Skill in editing/updating websites.
Ability to work remotely, upon approval.
Soft skills in communication, team player, flexible, problem solver, accepting feedback, possessing confidence and creative thinking.

Acceptable Experience And Training

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Relations, Journalism, Social Sciences, Marketing, Communications, Graphic Design, or a related field and three years of experience in social media management, communications, graphic design, journalism OR any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Certified Public Communicator preferred.

CERTIFICATES/LICENSES REQUIRED: Valid Texas driver’s license.

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COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST