Communication & Engagement Specialist - Development Services

Job Summary:

Manage, develop, coordinate and execute strategic communication and community engagement. Coordinate effective use of personal, print, digital and electronic communication tools to align and further the goals of specific departments. Provide accurate, regular, reliable information to the public and staff on department operations. This position is salaried/exempt. The salary range for this position is $66,973.00- $90,414.00 per year with a hiring range of $66,973.00 - $78,694.00, depending on qualifications and experience. This opportunity will be available to applicants until Friday, May 9, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. M.S.T.

A current resume is required, and a cover letter is preferred.

Department Pitch

The City of Loveland is seeking a skilled and adaptable Communication and Engagement Specialist with a strong background in public relations, community engagement, and managing complex, sometimes sensitive topics. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to design and implement impactful communication campaigns that align with Citywide initiatives and support the goals of the Development Services Department. This role requires expertise in crafting professional, audience-focused print and digital content and building meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders. The Specialist will engage the community on critical topics such as development, planning, zoning, building, code enforcement, and historic preservation. They must be comfortable navigating challenging discussions, fostering understanding, and resolving conflicts with tact and professionalism. Additionally, the Communications and Engagement Specialist will play a key role in strategic decision-making, act as a trusted advisor on communication matters.

Please view our video Working at Loveland to learn more about our exceptional Loveland community and the benefits of working for the City.

Essential Functions:

• Develop, create, coordinate and execute the communication, public relations, marketing, media and outreach programs for specific department(s).
• Disseminate information in a coordinated manner.
• Develop and establish proactive communication and community involvement efforts targeting diverse populations.
• Collaborate in the short and long-term planning and development of the City’s overall branding and visual identity programs.
• Manage community engagement for all represented department efforts. Coordinate outreach programs, open houses, and high-profile projects.
• Assist with City communications, team members, efforts for emergency operations and preparedness.
• Lead the response or assist with responding to public requests for information or complaints. Ensure positive public relations and relationship building necessary for community trust, cohesiveness and understanding.
• Provides recommendations for promotional materials to ensure a consistent look and message that promotes the Department’s goals and objectives.
• Oversee and manage department web pages content and appearance.
• Remain current on department-wide issues, services, programs, events, and projects. Collaborate with communications team to identify and create earned media opportunities and implement those strategies to promote and market programs, services, etc
• Produce and create key external communication materials in varied formats, using a style that is engaging, concise and appropriate in tone for the organization/ audience.
• Keep up to date on emerging communication trends and technologies and recommend and implement new tools that can help broaden and deepen department communication efforts.
• Ability to travel and conduct business throughout the City.

Other Job Functions:

• Maintains records of department media releases, website and social media content.
• Assists with communication research and marketing strategy.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education:

• 4 Year/Bachelors: Marketing, Multimedia, Communications, and/or Journalism required.
• An equivalent combination of education and/or experience may substitute for education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Experience:

• 4 years progressive work experience and responsibility in communications or marketing with an emphasis on writing, creating campaigns to inform and educate audiences, and demonstrated familiarity with modern media platforms including social media channels. Must be in addition to any experience used to satisfy the education requirement, required.
• Media relations and municipal experience preferred.
• Experience with project management experience and demonstrated experience with online communications and marketing software including Canva, Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Asana, and/or other publication software applications used in producing high-quality publications.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent and diverse writing, presentation and communication skills. Requires excellent grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Ability to listen and communicate effectively with diverse groups.
• Knowledge of website and social analytics tools. Must be able to gather media and archive materials for records purposes and future use.
• Knowledge and expertise in media relations and press releases.
• Creative and innovative thinker, tech-savvy with, content management systems, software commonly used for creating marketing material and social content.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees across the city, representatives of other agencies and organizations, and members of the community.
• Requires creativity and strong customer relation skills.
• Must consistently prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment and work independently. Coordinate and organize numerous projects simultaneously.
• Must be capable of discerning when confidentiality ability and maintaining confidentiality.
• Must work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Requires functioning at high-speed to allow for completion of projects in a timely and accurate manner.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Requires to learn, follow, apply and relay guidelines, policies, rules and regulations applicable to social media and communications with citizens and fellow employees.
• Web content management systems and graphic design.
• Provide objective feedback and counsel on communication strategy.

Physical Demands:

• Frequent: Minimal physical effort typically found in clerical work. Primarily sedentary, may occasionally lift and carry light objects. Walking and/or standing as needed and minimal.
• Occasional: Light to moderate physical effort that includes frequent standing or walking or maintaining arms and hands in the same position for repetitive tasks. Frequently works with light objects and light hand tools.
• Moderate to considerable physical effort that includes working from ladders in awkward positions. Frequent use of light or medium weight objects (e.g., 25-50 lbs) and use of medium weight tools.
• Strenuous to extreme physical effort that includes frequent use of heavy objects (e.g., 50+ pounds) and may also use heavy tools or require strenuous application in awkward positions.

Working Environment

• Frequent: Exposure to routine office noise and equipment.
• Occasional: Exposure to hazards typically found in general office environments where there is rarely to no exposure to injury or accident.
• Exposure to hazards that are predictable or well protected against.
• Exposure to heat and noise along with working outside in the elements.
• Exposure to marginal to moderate conditions that are unpredictable and may lead to injury.
• Exposure to hazardous conditions that may lead to workplace injury such as working in heights, exposure to fly ash and/or energized electrical
  equipment.

Additional Working Demands / Conditions

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.

With over 300 days of sunshine, and just 30 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park in the heart of northern Colorado, Loveland is an ideal community for anyone to call home. Known as the Sweetheart City, this vibrant cultural hub is home to nearly 500 sculptures and public art installations, the world-famous Valentine Remail Program, and picturesque views of the Rocky Mountains. The community is bustling with thriving arts, brewery, foodie, and shopping scene. Enjoy headliner concert and theatre productions, professional hockey events, endless community recreation and open space opportunities, art and sculpture shows, and several local festivals. Loveland also boasts an award-winning golf course and an inclusive library and community center. Loveland, Colorado has EVERYTHING YOU LOVE!

In 2020, Loveland was the only Colorado City to win the Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence, is the top residential recycling City in the state for 4 consecutive years and has been ranked as one of the top places to live, work and raise a family in the U.S. and as one of the Most Idyllic Picturesque towns in America.

Apply today to join more than 800 employees who work to meet the core values of: Accountability & Integrity, Transparency & Honoring the Public Trust, Collaboration, Innovation, Safety, Excellent Service with Courtesy and Kindness. The City of Loveland is a diverse and welcoming community organization, and our employees enjoy a competitive benefits program, various opportunities for growth and development, and an exceptional work-life balance.

A vibrant community, surrounded by natural beauty, where you belong!

Benefits Information

Benefit Eligible Benefits Package Includes:

• Two (2) Medical plans, Dental, Vision (for self/ spouse/ children)
• A Dedicated, exclusive Employee Health and Wellness Center
• Discounted Chilson Center passes
• Paid vacation, holidays, floating holidays, and medical leave
• Flexible spending including Dependent Care
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term disability, and voluntary Critical Illness Coverage
• Retirement 401a, 457, Roth (pre-& post tax) and company match
• A Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary 529 College Invest program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Personal and Professional Development opportunities
• Employee Recognition Program
• Exceptional work-life balance
• Market based pay & regular performance reviews
• Local Government employment is eligible for Public Loan Forgiveness Program

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

City of Loveland job descriptions are designed to describe the general nature and level of work necessary to perform well in the job; they are not intended to provide an exhaustive list of responsibilities, skills, and qualifications. City of Loveland job descriptions may be updated periodically, and additional activities, duties or responsibilities may be assigned by management as deemed appropriate.

The City of Loveland provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.

The City of Loveland participates in E-Verify. In accordance with E-Verify requirements, upon your date of hire the City of Loveland will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. E-Verify Notice of Participation. Learn more about your right to work. Visit E-Verify.gov for more information.

Hybrid Remote Work Eligibility

This position may be eligible for up to two days per week working remotely. Probationary employees (within the first six months of employment) may not be eligible. Subject to change based on business needs and performance expectations.

Employment offers will be conditional on the successful completion of a criminal history background check.

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• City of Loveland

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