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NEOGOV · 3 months ago

Community & Media Relations Manager

Longwood, FL

Full-time

Onsite

Mid Level

$60K/yr - $70K/yr

3+ years exp

NEOGOV is a company that focuses on public sector solutions, and they are seeking a Community & Media Relations Manager. This role involves planning and delivering a comprehensive public information and community engagement program, serving as the City’s spokesperson, and managing communications to strengthen trust and collaboration between the City and its community.

GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware

Responsibilities

Serve as the City’s spokesperson; build and maintain effective relationships with media, community groups, neighboring agencies, and business groups

Lead community outreach programs such as informational sessions, neighborhood meetings, workshops, and “Meet the City” events to promote transparency and civic engagement

Provide creative direction for digital and visual communications (graphics, photography, and video), ensuring accessibility, brand consistency, and clear messaging

Manage the City’s online presence, including website, newsletters, and official social media channels; foster two-way communication with residents by monitoring questions and feedback

Collaborate with departments to develop crisis and emergency communications, including timely public information for incidents, service disruptions, and urgent public safety messaging

Monitor news outlets, media inquiries, and public sentiment to identify emerging issues and trends. Ensure the City Manager is promptly informed of critical developments, and provide recommended strategies, talking points, and corrective actions to address issues and mitigate risk

Analyze trends, issues, and feedback to recommend strategies that improve outreach, transparency, and resident experience

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with media contacts, community groups, other agencies, and City employees and officials to meet communication and outreach needs; listens and responds with tact and diplomacy

Establish and maintain strong, strategic, and working partnerships with news media personnel to ensure the public remains informed of critical matters in the City

Coordinate and participate in writing and editing a variety of articles, news releases, and stories and develops content (including video and photos) for social media platforms and the City’s website to educate the community and other target audiences, and to promote various City events, programs and initiatives

Provide creative direction for online visual communications including the design, layout, and text content; incorporates innovative branding and messaging in all appropriate aspects of communication and media

Prepare or assist in preparing speeches, scripts and other informational material for public information purposes

Acquire and maintain a detailed knowledge of City policies, principles, and strategies in order to remain current with relevant developments

Develop communication strategies considering relevant state and federal statutes, local ordinances as well as City policy and directives

Serve as a resource to City leaders and other management staff on media relations and procedures and processes for media responses; provide individual and/or group training on media-related processes and procedures

Coordinate press conferences, events, tours, and interviews as directed by City Manager; provide support as needed during meetings, functions, and other events

Attend all City Commission Meetings (regular and special) unless otherwise directed by the City Manager or designee; prepare community updates, talking points, and post-meeting summaries as needed

Follows safe working practices and has a working knowledge of safety practices and procedures in accordance with the City’s Safety and Health Program

All employees serve an essential role in the City’s disaster preparation and/or disaster recovery efforts, as may be designated by the City’s Emergency Manager

Qualification

Public RelationsMedia RelationsCrisis CommunicationSocial Media ManagementContent CreationGraphic DesignCommunity EngagementWritten CommunicationOral CommunicationTime Management

Required

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration or a related field

Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, media or public relations

Must maintain a Florida driver's license with an acceptable driving record

Must have or be able to complete ICS 100 and 700 courses within six (6) months of hire

Ability to convey complex issues, events, and concepts in succinct, easy-to-understand language, both in writing and orally

Strong Knowledge of best practices of public relations, media relations, communications, promotional and marketing methods and techniques

Proficiency with major social media platforms and content management systems including, but not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, X (formally Twitter), LinkedIn, and YouTube

Proficiency with photography/video capture and basic graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Cloud or similar)

Ability to work with the media, write press releases and serve as media point-of-contact/spokesperson

Knowledge of newsletter, advertisement, brochure, press release development techniques

Ability to manage time and meet strict deadlines to complete projects and assignments

Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving a variety of generally pre-defined duties which are often characterized by frequent change

Ability to use standard office equipment, including multi-line telephone, personal computers, word processing and data base applications

Skill in using computer software and applications related to photography, graphic design and social media

Preferred

Government experience in media and/or public relations

Benefits

Health Insurance - The City offers three health plan options through United Healthcare.

Health Savings Account (HSA)- The City offers employees the option of aHealth Savings Account (HSA), which is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to eligible employees who are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan. Employees may use their HSA on qualified medical expenses.

Flexible Spending - The City offers two Flexible Spending plans; a Health Care Flex Spending and a Dependent Care Flex Spending.

Dental Insurance - The City offers two dental options through Guardian. One option is a DHMO option which requires you to designate an in-network provider. The other option is a PPO options which give you the freedom to use in- and-out of network providers. You can access the dental provider's network and find a dentist near you at [www.guardianlife.com](http://www.guardianlife.com).

Vision Insurance – The City offers a voluntary vision plan through United Healthcare Vision.

Employer Paid Basic Group Life and AD&D Insurance - The City of Longwood provides you with $50,000 of life and AD&D insurance. Teamsters and IAFF positions may have additional life insurance provided.

Optional: Employee Group Life and AD&D Insurance - You are also able to purchase additional life and AD&D insurance through the City. As a new hire, the guaranteed issue amount for employees to enroll is up to $100,000, up to $25,000 for your spouse and up to $10,000 for your child(ren). Employees are eligible for up to 5x your earnings to a maximum of $500,000. Your spouse is eligible for 50% of your coverage amount. *Coverage over the guaranteed issue requires an Evidence of Insurability form.*

Employer Paid Long Term Disability – At no cost to you, as a new hire, you are automatically enrolled in this benefit.

Aflac Voluntary Benefits - Through Aflac you will be able to enroll in Short-term Disability, Accident, Cancer or Critical Illness coverage, more information on how these plans work are available through [www.aflac.com](http://www.aflac.com)

Nationwide Pet Insurance - Nationwide pet insurance helps you cover veterinary expenses so you can provide your pets with the best care possible—without worrying about the cost. <https://benefits.petinsurance.com/longwoodfl>

PENSION - The City provides a Defined Contribution Program through Florida League of Cities; all regular full-time employees are automatically enrolled in this benefit. The City makes a 10% contribution to general employees' pension plan.

Deferred Retirement - Full-Time regular employees have the option of joining a 457 Deferred Retirement Plan in addition to the Employees' Pension Plan.

Employee Assistance - The City recognizes that personal problems and family member problems can affect work performance and quality of life in general. In an effort to provide support and assistance to employees and dependents, the City is providing this confidential program without cost to employees. Professional consultations cover financial matters, family communications, stress, alcohol/drug problems, emotional/psychological distress and legal problems.

Vacation Leave - The City provides annual paid vacation time off work to eligible full-time employees to allow for rest, recreation and personal activities. Vacation entitlement is based upon service credit.

Sick Leave - Regular full-time employees accrue (8) hours per completed month paid sick leave. Sworn firefighters accrue (12) hours per completed month paid sick leave. Sworn police officers accrue (8.4) hours (equivalent to the number of hours in a scheduled work shift).

HOLIDAYS - Thanksgiving Day, The day after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Employee Birthday, Floating Holiday.