Communication Manager Position Available In Lake, Florida

Communication Manager

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The Communications Manager is a self-motivated and detail-oriented professional responsible for managing various complex tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment. This role works closely with the Support Services Director to ensure all communications align with the City’s brand and strategic goals. The Communications Manager collaborates with staff across departments to elevate digital communications, foster innovation, and strengthen the connection between residents and the City, all while ensuring a positive and accessible user experience. Success in this role requires strong decision-making skills, the ability to adapt to shifting priorities, and a proactive approach to meeting tight deadlines. This position reports directly to the Support Services Director.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Public Communications

• 60%:
• Develops, implements, and maintains a proactive strategic communications program, including employee, community, and media relations.
• Serves as the City spokesperson at public meetings, City Council functions, City events, and various public appearances.
• Manages press releases from all City Departments and coordinates high-profile public relations programs, projects, and events.
• Cultivate and strengthen outreach relationships with stakeholders, media representatives, community leaders, visitors, taxpayers, government officials, community schools, non-profit organizations, employees, and the public.
• Coordinates the planning, design, and content of the City website, ensuring the currency and timeliness of its content.
• Responds to requests and inquiries from the public and manages the public information hotline and call-out/email/text messaging system.
• Creates and distributes the city’s newsletter to residents, ensuring timely and accurate communication. Writes engaging and informative articles for local magazines and other publications.
• Attends community meetings on behalf of the City and manages social media platforms to provide professional internal and external marketing.
• Assist in digital and social media content development, advertising, public relations, and marketing.
• Lead and coordinate strategic communication efforts related to all phases of hurricane management, including preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. Develop and disseminate timely, accurate, and accessible information to employees, the public, and the media. Create communication plans, messaging, and materials to educate and inform the public before, during, and after hurricanes.
• Responsible for maintaining, enhancing, expanding, and protecting the City of Tavares’ brand identity
• including the trademarked logo and tagline “America’s Seaplane City”
• by ensuring consistent, proper use that strengthens our image locally and globally. Administrative
• 40%:
• Manages departmental finances and operations by processing invoices, payroll, and reports; maintains budget using the City’s Accounting System; oversees supply inventory and prepares purchase orders.
• Develops and delivers employee training programs; collaborates cross-departmentally to align content with organizational goals and provides ongoing trainee support and guidance.
• Performs customer service functions, including greeting visitors, receiving telephone inquiries, and resolving issues or directing them to the appropriate individual/department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND

ABILITIES

• Knowledge of principles and practices of public relations, mass communications, marketing, and emergency management.
• Proficient knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Microsoft 365 Suite with a strong working knowledge of Excel.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to research, extract, absorb, write, and present information for all audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the public, and representatives of the media and other governmental and community agencies.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to work on call, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Strong creative writing abilities combined with excellent time management, prioritization, and communication skills.

Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and consistently meet deadlines. Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with various social media platforms. Skilled in planning, managing, and executing communications initiatives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, or media relations is preferred.
• One (1) year of administrative support experience.
• Three (3) years of experience in public communications is preferred.

(A comparable amount of training, education, or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.)

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATION

• Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License.
• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) within five (5) years of employment.
• Incumbents must pass the National Incident Management System (NIMS) ICS-100 and IS-700 within 90 days of employment.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS

• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without correction).
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to climb a ladder.
• Requires frequent sitting and working in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Must be available to work in the event of a storm/disaster to assist with recovery response efforts.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Works inside at a variety of locations and environments.
• Works outside in various weather conditions.
• Works during Emergency Management Events.
• Work is performed in a busy office environment and includes a normal range of noise and frequent distractions with very low risks, working around standard office equipment.

(Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.) Miscellaneous Information The City Of Tavares is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Drug-Free Workplace and E-Verify Employer. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply and will be reasonably accommodated. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference offered on initial hire per Florida Statute 295. Selected applicants receiving a conditional offer of employment are subject to a criminal, driver, education and employment background check, drug screen, psychological assessment and medical examination. To apply, a City of Tavares employment application and resume with a minimum of ten (10) years complete work history must be submitted to City of Tavares Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date (if mailed, it must be postmarked no later than the closing date). Internal candidates must submit a completed Internal Transfer Request (available in Human Resources, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. Minimum qualifications are subject to change pending approval of job description(s). Equivalent combination of related training and experience may be considered. The City of Tavares reserves the right to fill positions prior to the closing date. All positions are regular full-time unless otherwise noted.