CLASS TITLE:           Communications and Public Relations Specialist

REPORTS TO:           City Administrator

FLSA STATUS:          Exempt

SALARY:  $55,640 – $76,731 Annually.  Starting salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications, typically falling between the minimum and the midpoint of the advertised range to maintain internal equity.                       

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Reporting to the City Administrator, the Communications and Public Relations Specialist develops multi-channel marketing campaigns and manages the production of all City-wide digital, print, and video communications. This role facilitates public participation through event coordination and meeting livestreams while ensuring transparent communication during crisis situations. As a key liaison, the Communications and Public Relations Specialist works across all departments to shape the City of Lamar’s public image and strengthen its connection with residents and businesses.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Strategic Planning: Develops and implements city-wide communication, marketing, and branding plans for administration, departments, and boards.
• Issue Management: Researches and resolves high-impact public issues to shape community perception and manage the City’s reputation.
• Media Relations: Drafts and distributes City news to local, state, and national media outlets; manages media buying and copy writing.
• Crisis Response: Provides 24-hour on-call support and leads strategic messaging during emergency or crisis situations.
• Digital & Print Media: Designs, writes, and produces internal/external newsletters, website content, and social media updates.
• Multimedia: Coordinates the photography, design, and production of City video presentations and livestreams City Council meetings and work sessions.
• Community Involvement: Facilitates focus groups and task forces to improve public participation and resolve community conflicts.
• Special Events: Manages full-cycle logistics for community events, including venue selection, vendor coordination, and publicity.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Position requires limited movement and for the most part is a sedentary position which involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time; duties are usually performed in surroundings where undesirable physical conditions and hazards are minor and controllable with the proper safety equipment to prevent injury. 

• Must be able to occasionally lift and carry 40 pounds and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Must be able to see in low or bright lights and distinguish between colors.
• Must be able to hear clearly, speak clearly and write clearly.

• Ability to read, understand, and interpret written material and reports.

• Constant usage of fingers and both hands.
• Works involves sitting or standing 60% of the time and walking and standing while performing various tasks 20% of the time.
• Occasionally stoops, kneels, crouches, bends, climbs, including reaching overhead.
• Possesses hand/eye/foot coordination adequate to operate office equipment including a computer keyboard and operating a vehicle.
• Ability to talk and hear in person and by telephone.
• Ability to meet intense time demands while executing events.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to levels of noise commonly associated with outdoor environments during the conduct of events where temperatures also could be variable and inclement weather is possible.

SUPERVISION – RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK OF OTHERS:  None.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  Possession of a valid Colorado Driver’s license.  

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a closely related field is required.

Experience: Three (3) to Five (5) years of professional experience in public relations, digital design, or communications management.

Equivalency: A combination of education and significant professional experience that demonstrates the ability to perform high-level strategic tasks may be considered.

Licensure: Possession of a valid Colorado Driver’s License.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Every City staff member must possess or work to attain the following five core competencies:

• Communication: Communicate effectively by actively listening and sharing relevant information with co-workers, supervisor(s), and customers, so as to anticipate problems and ensure the effectiveness of the City of Lamar. Communicate effectively both orally and in internal and external communications; have excellent grammar and spelling skills.
• Interpersonal Relations: Interact effectively with others to establish and maintain good working relationships. Be polite, courteous, and professional with co-workers and the public. Communicate with the public in a manner that effectively promotes a positive image for the city and handles complaints tactfully and effectively. Have excellent telephone and interpersonal skills for working with the public, as well as establishing and maintaining interdepartmental relationships.
• Customer Service: Work effectively with internal and external customers to satisfy service/product expectations.
• Accountability and Dependability: Demonstrate responsible personal and professional conduct, and contribute to the overall goals and objectives of the City of Lamar. Work in an environment with minimal supervision and complete tasks in reasonable time frames. Use discretion, confidentiality and good judgment. Be detail-oriented with excellent organization skills.
• Job Knowledge: Possess job-specific knowledge necessary to perform the appropriate quantity and quality of work in a timely and efficient manner. Seek high level of knowledge of City policy and procedures. Complete ongoing professional development to maintain proficiency. Complete any necessary training needed to accomplish the job independently, including City of Lamar livestream software, downtown speaker, and PA systems. Maintain proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite/Photoshop or similar graphic design and web editing software and Microsoft Office products; Photo design and use of digital cameras; Social media platforms and messaging. Maintain and apply working knowledge of modern office practices, continually upgrading knowledge; communicate in same manner.

Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use:  Because the possession and use of marijuana whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City of Lamar is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting the use of marijuana.  The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change the policy.

THE CITY OF LAMAR PROVIDES EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL EMPLOYEES AND APPLICANTS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT OF ANY TYPE WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, AGE, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY STATUS, GENETICS, PROTECTED VETERAN STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, OR ANY OTHER CHARACTERISTIC PROTECTED BY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAWS.

THIS POLICY APPLIES TO ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING RECRUITING, HIRING, PLACEMENT, PROMOTION, TERMINATION, LAYOFF, RECALL, TRANSFER, LEAVES OF ABSENCE, COMPENSATION AND TRAINING.