About the City of Wetumpka The City of Wetumpka is a growing community in Central Alabama known for its historic downtown, natural beauty, outdoor recreation, community events, and unique tourism assets. City employees work together to provide quality services, strengthen the community, and share Wetumpka's story with residents, businesses, and visitors. The City is seeking a creative, organized, and community-minded Communications Specialist to join its Communications & Tourism and Economic Development teams. This position offers the opportunity to work across a wide variety of projects, from social media, photography and graphic design to tourism promotion, visitor services, special events and community engagement. Basic Function and Responsibility A primary responsibility of all persons assigned to this job title is to support the City of Wetumpka's communications, tourism, and economic development efforts through the creation and distribution of accurate, timely, and engaging public information. This position is responsible for assisting with social media content creation and management, website updates, photography, video, graphic design, public information, tourism promotion, visitor services, and other communications activities. The Communications Specialist also provides administrative and program support to the Communications & Tourism Department and Economic Development Department. The position requires regular interaction with the public, including but not limited to working at City events, the Wetumpka Impact Crater Discovery & Visitors Center, trade shows, conferences, and other community or promotional activities. Work is performed under the direction of the Director of Communications & Tourism and the Director of Economic Development. Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities The essential functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the characteristic duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities detailed below; any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all tasks which may be found in positions of this class. Communications and Digital Media Creates, schedules, and publishes content for City of Wetumpka social media platforms. Assists with the development of social media campaigns promoting City services, projects, programs, events, tourism initiatives, and economic development efforts. Monitors City social media platforms and assists with responding to questions, comments, and messages as directed. Maintains and updates content on City websites, including department information, news, events, public notices, visitor information and other content. Writes and edits content for social media, websites, advertisements, brochures, newsletters, flyers, presentations, press materials and other City communications. Creates graphics and visual materials consistent with established City branding standards. Photographs and records City events, projects, facilities, attractions, businesses and community activities. Assists with editing photographs, videos and short-form digital content for City communication and promotional purposes. Assists with the preparation and distribution of press releases, media advisories, public notices and other informational materials. Assists with emergency, weather-related, and other time-sensitive public communications as directed. Assists City departments with communication and promotional needs while maintaining consistency with City branding and messaging. Assists with maintaining communications calendars and coordinating upcoming campaigns, events, announcements, and departmental initiatives. Maintains organized digital files, including photographs, video, graphics, marketing materials, and other communications assets. Tourism and Visitor Services Assists with tourism and destination marketing efforts promoting Wetumpka's attractions, events, natural resources, and visitor experiences. Assists with operations at the Wetumpka Impact Crater Discovery & Visitors Center as needed. Greets and assists visitors and provides information regarding Wetumpka attractions, businesses, events, and other visitor resources. Assists with programs, activities, exhibits and special events associated with the Discovery & Visitors Center. Represents the City at tourism trade shows, conferences, expos, community events and other promotional activities. Assists with the setup, operation and breakdown of booths, exhibits, displays and promotional materials at trade shows and events. Distributes tourism and promotional materials and interacts with prospective visitors, community partners and members of the public. Assists with City-sponsored events and tourism activities, including setup, breakdown, photography, social media coverage and other on-site responsibilities. Economic Development and Administrative Support Provides general administrative support to the Economic Development Department and Communications & Tourism Department as assigned. Assists with preparing correspondence, reports, presentations, meeting materials, and other departmental documents. Assists with maintaining electronic and physical departmental files and records. Assists with data entry, research, scheduling, meeting preparation, and organization of departmental information. Assists with preparation of materials related to economic development projects, meetings, presentations, and promotional activities. Assists with communication and coordination with businesses, community organizations, partner agencies, and other external contacts as directed. Provides support for meetings, special projects, events, and departmental initiatives. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned by the Director of Communications & Tourism or Director of Economic Development. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (

• can be acquired on the job) Knowledge of professional etiquette and courtesy in interacting with the public, visitors, businesses, elected officials and other City employees. Knowledge of social media platforms and digital communication practices. Knowledge of basic principles of marketing, public relations and public information. Knowledge of basic graphic design, photography and video production practices.

•Knowledge of City of Wetumpka departments, services, programs, attractions and community resources.

•Knowledge of City policies, procedures, branding standards and communication practices. Skill in written communication as needed to prepare social media content, website information, correspondence, public information, and promotional materials. Skill in oral communication as needed to provide information to residents, visitors, businesses, and community partners. Skill in proofreading materials to identify errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, or content. Skill in using computers, smartphones, cameras, and other equipment necessary to perform assigned responsibilities. Skills in using social media management, website content management, graphic design, and office software. Skill in photography and basic video production. Skill in organizing information, files, schedules, and multiple assignments. Skill in conducting basic research. Ability to create clear, accurate, and engaging content for a variety of audiences. Ability to communicate effectively in person, in writing, and electronically with coworkers, department heads, elected officials, businesses, media representatives, visitors, and the general public. Ability to interact professionally and positively with the public. Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion when handling City business and nonpublic information. Ability to distinguish between matters that can be addressed through established procedures and those requiring the attention of a supervisor or other City official. Ability to work effectively in stressful or time-sensitive situations while maintaining professionalism and composure. Ability to manage multiple projects, responsibilities, and deadlines. Ability to demonstrate initiative and complete assignments with limited supervision. Ability to work collaboratively with City employees, volunteers, community partners, and external organizations. Ability to adapt to changing priorities and departmental needs. Ability to learn and effectively use new technologies, software, and communication platforms. Ability to meet regular and predictable attendance requirements. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to represent the City of Wetumpka professionally at meetings, events, trade shows, and other public functions. Experience and Education Qualifications High school diploma or its equivalent is required. An associate or bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, graphic design, digital media, tourism, hospitality, business, public administration, or a related field is preferred. Previous experience in communications, social media, marketing, graphic design, photography, video production, website management, tourism, customer service, or administrative support is preferred. Relevant employment, internships, volunteer experience, freelance work, coursework, portfolio work, or demonstrated skills may be considered when evaluating a candidate's qualifications. Necessary Special Requirements Possession of a valid driver's license. Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed. Some weekend work will be required. Ability to travel locally and occasionally outside the City for trade shows, conferences, meetings, training, and promotional activities. Ability to operate a computer, smartphone, camera, and other communications or office equipment. Ability to work at City events and activities both indoors and outdoors. Working Conditions While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or operate objects and equipment; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and perform repetitive computer and keyboard functions. The incumbent may be required to stand or walk for extended periods of time while assisting with events, trade shows, visitor services, and other City activities. The incumbent must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and may be required to move boxes, tables, signs, displays, promotional materials, event supplies, audiovisual equipment, and other materials associated with City programs and events. Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to heat, cold, rain, and other outdoor atmospheric conditions while attending events, photographing City activities, supporting tourism programs, or performing other assigned duties. The position may require evening and weekend work and occasional travel. The employee must be able to adjust to changing work schedules, deadlines, and time-sensitive communication needs. Miscellaneous Information This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit, or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Pay:

$40,000.00 - $42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Cell phone reimbursement Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person