COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (Community Affairs)

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The City of Cedar Park

The Position

The City of Cedar Park is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Communications Specialist. Under the direction of the Director of Community Affairs, the Communications Specialist will serve as the City's primary writer and as liaison between the City of Cedar Park and the news media as well as liaison between the community and the City when important issues and special situations arise. Work includes the creation, dissemination and circulation of City news, project updates; promotion of Cedar Park in the media; creation of content for the City's publications, reports, talking points for City Management and elected officials, presentations, scripts, the website and social media accounts. Other responsibilities include participating in the planning and execution of special events, creation of publications, marketing, and branding. Cedar Park is a well-organized city offering great benefits and perks available on your first day of employment, including:City-subsidized health benefits; life and disability insurance; a variety of voluntary benefits; a robust pension plan with TMRS to set you up for a fulfilling retirement; a down-to-earth casual environment and dress code; and a positive team-oriented culture. This is an excellent time to join our team and truly make an impact in our local community!!! ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Serve as the copywriter for press releases, media advisories, crisis management, blogs, city intranet, employee emails, emergency management system, media inquiries, advertising, social media, website, resident and employee e-newsletters.
• Establish and maintain media lists.
• Create talking points for City Management, City Council, department heads on important issues, topics, and crises, clearly articulating the City's official position on such matters.
• Serve as a resource/advisor to department heads and other management staff with regards to messaging and public/media response.
• Serve as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the City and Fire Department which often take place outside of normal business hours.
• Secure media coverage from print, broadcast and digital news sources for potential repurpose across multiple internal and external mediums.
• Utilize third-party media monitoring service and email vendor to capture and report media coverage to leadership, elected officials, and employees.
• Respond appropriately to media and constituent questions in a timely manner.
• Collaborate with the Director of Community Affairs and Community Affairs staff on marketing campaigns, social media strategy, annual calendar, and content creation.
• Coordinate communication and design requests from other departments.
• Provide guidance and training to City colleagues on branding, social media, and communication requests.
• Attend various board meetings including the bi-weekly city council meetings, which are held outside of normal business hours.
• Serve as liaison for neighborhood leaders and HOA property managers including organizing bi-annual breakfasts and lunches to build and strengthen relationships between the City and the community residents.
• Establish and maintain relationships with neighborhood leaders and property management companies including maintaining contact databases.
• Participate with Community Affairs staff and other City staff in the successful creation and execution of marketing and advertising campaigns, community engagement events and overall communications efforts including the City's internal and external e-newsletters.
• Craft messaging via the City's website, and social media accounts, directing the conversation and responding to inquiries/issues from various stakeholders.
• Offer suggestions and create and implement content and maintenance of the City's website, social media accounts and public education and government access television channel.
• Strategically plan long-term to ensure that departmental goals as they relate to the City's vision, strategic goals and core values are met and/or exceeded.
• Prepare and process purchase orders, has purchasing authority for up to $5,000 without supervisor approval.
• Maintain positive working relationship with other City communications and media specialists.
• Provide assistance and perform other duties as directed by the Director of Community Affairs.

Acceptable Experience, Training, Certifications and Licenses

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism or a related field; plus a minimum of five (5) years of experience working in a municipal environment or directly with the media in a similar position; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities;
• Valid Texas Driver's License, with acceptable driving record.
• Certified Public Communicator, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• English language: the structure and content including meaning of words and grammar.
• AP writing style experience.
• Copy edit, proofread and revise communications.
• Content and formatting requirements for press and other media releases.
• Techniques for working effectively with the media and the general public; and conflict resolution techniques used to identify and diffuse problems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools required (Outlook, Word, Excel, PPT, Teams), Constant Contact, Cision and social media applications (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X).
• Working knowledge of digital cameras and video equipment.
• Work under steady pressure with frequent interruptions.
• Ability to work cross functionally within the City as well as with outside vendors, and partner organizations.
• Possess excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to meet goals and objectives on schedule.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality relating to internal operations of the City, in communications with City board members, colleagues, and external constituents, and regarding personnel issues.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the , but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this . The interview process will include an onsite writing exercise. In addition, prior writing samples will be requested.

Supplemental Information

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS Reports to: Director of Community Affairs Directs: None Other: Has frequent contact with City Manager, Assistant City Managers, Council Members, department heads, the media and the general public. Key Highlights about the City of Cedar Park! The City of Cedar Park is a vibrant community of 83,000 consistently ranked by the U.S. Census Bureau as one of the fastest growing communities in the Austin metro. Named for a popular park and rail stop in the late 1800s, Cedar Park is now home to two professional sports teams, the Texas Stars AHL hockey team and the Austin Spurs NBA G-league basketball team, as well a growing number of high tech and major manufacturing employers. Cedar Park has several rankings by a variety of sources as one of the Best Cities for Families and one of the Safest Cities in Texas. Discover Cedar Park: Our 2025 Resident Survey: Tourism site for Cedar Park? Join our team of dynamic, talented, and dedicated professionals. We work together, we enjoy serving the community, and we have fun at what we do. Join us today! The City is an equal opportunity employer that maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with respect to each employee and applicant for employment. The City affirms its commitment that there shall be no discrimination against applicants or employees because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other protected status.

The City of Cedar Park strives to provide the best quality of life for its employees, the City provides a number of opportunities for all regular full-time employees to participate in group medical, dental, life insurance and long-term disability programs. Retirement options are provided by the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). Other programs such as paid vacation time, deferred compensation and educational assistance are also offered. Click here to view our benefits.