Community Engagement​/Event Specialist

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Faribault is a dynamic, growing community of 24,642 that celebrates its historic background, while embracing the continued growth and innovation that ensures a more vibrant future. With 180 full- and part-time employees across 10 departments, our organization not only provides the traditional essential municipal services, including streets, utilities, public safety, and code enforcement, but also boasts a historic library, nearly 400 acres of parkland and green space, 14 miles of City trail, two State trails, and 35 fully developed parks, including an Aquatic Center and two regionally significant park spaces.

The City aims to provide these essential and quality-of-life services responsively and efficiently through an experienced, cohesive staff, guided by a supportive City Council that’s committed to offering ample and equitable opportunities to all who call Faribault home.

At the City of Faribault, we believe community-building and community-connectedness are key to a prosperous future. We look forward to learning more about how you can help us in advancing our mission.

City Administration is responsible for planning and directing the administration of City functions as delegated by the City Council and providing overall administrative direction and supervision of City affairs. The department consists of the City Administrator, City Clerk and Communications Manager.

The Community Engagement Specialist works collaboratively to plan, develop and implement a unified outreach strategy that builds trust and deepens meaningful engagement of residents and communities of Faribault.

Works under the supervision of Administration staff.

• Provides a wide variety of duties in planning, organization, graphic design and communications with both internal and external organizations.
• Assists with the planning, development, and implementation of strategies and programs, such as Council Chats, Residents Academy, and wide-ranging special events to attain broader civic engagement and awareness in support of organizational goals, while enhancing public trust.
• Supports the development of marketing and engagement materials in all mediums, such as flyers, newsletters, videos, social media materials, podcasts, and more.
• Assists with the logistical facilitation of ongoing public dialogues and engagement opportunities with various community stakeholders, including securing venues, arranging for language interpreters, greeting attendees, note-taking, and facilitating dialogues
• Under direction, identifies, cultivates, and maintains relationships with community leaders, organizations, and networks that expand community engagement and programmatic efforts.
• Organize and promote City engagement opportunities by using information-sharing tools to ensure intended audiences are in receipt of information.
• Seeks out new opportunities and methods of connecting with underrepresented populations. Applies creativity and innovation in the development of unique engagement opportunities that target identified groups.

Necessary

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of effective communications, media, and public relations, and event coordination and logistical requirements
• Use of technology for communication purposes.
• Regulations, procedures, and services of municipal government.

Demonstrated skill in:

• Communicating comfortably and effectively both in-person and through written communications mediums.
• Composing news stories, articles, press releases, and reports concerning City activities and operations.
• Relating interpersonally with people from varied backgrounds.
• Providing excellent services and programs to meet the needs of the community and those within the City organization.
• Proper use of the English language including spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Other experience and abilities to include:

• Adapting communication content, style, and forum for a variety of audiences.
• Analyzing complex, politically sensitive situations and develop creative solutions.
• Recognizing and capitalizing on opportunities for innovative approaches to public and media relations.
• Working independently and as both a leader and member of a team.
• Organizing and managing multiple priorities and tasks within specified time frames with minimum supervision.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with members of the local media, elected and appointed government officials, and representatives of community-based agencies/organizations

Education and Experience:

• An associate’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, or a related field; AND
• Two years of experience in a public relations field, such as marketing, media communications, social media, event coordination, website management, community engagement, or similar work; OR
• Any equivalent combination of experience and…