Communications​/Media Manager

COMMUNICATIONS / MEDIA MANAGER

City of Salina, Kansas

City Manager’s Office

The Communications/Media Manager plays a vital role in connecting the City of Salina with the people it serves through clear & timely public information. This long-term leadership opportunity helps strengthen community engagement by guiding media relations, digital communications, public awareness campaigns, & outreach on City services, projects, & events. The position makes a meaningful impact on Salina by ensuring residents have accessible information & opportunities to stay informed, involved, & prepared—including during emergencies.

With broad collaboration across City departments, local media, & community organizations, this role offers a rewarding chance to translate important municipal initiatives into communications that benefit the entire community. The position combines purposeful public service with a primarily office-based work environment & flexibility to support occasional irregular scheduling needs, promoting a sustainable balance between professional responsibility & personal life.

Duties:

• Serves as principal media contact & spokesperson, supporting transparent & timely public information.
• Develops proactive communications/marketing strategies; coordinates responses to media inquiries & emerging issues; oversees content across web, social media, video, print, & other channels; supports public communications during emergencies & incidents.
• Advises City leadership & departments on communications opportunities, public messaging, & sensitive issues; recommends strategies to bring public attention to & involvement with initiatives.
• Produces educational & informational news content related to City services, functions, & events; prepares & launches a variety of promotional messages & public awareness campaigns in various formats, including press releases, newsletters, professional journals, website content, public presentations, videos, radio shows, mail campaigns, media outlets, & social media venues to assist in educational & branding efforts.
• Organizes press conferences; supports emergency public-information operations, including coordination with emergency management; serves as Public Information Officer.
• Engages & informs citizens by providing timely, accurate, concise & strategic information regarding organizational initiatives, projects, services, & programs; meets with citizens, neighborhood organizations & other groups to answer questions & provide service information.
• Performs continual assessment & use of analytics to evaluate reach, public understanding, & effectiveness; builds collaborative partnerships with local media, agencies, & organizations.
• Reviews organizational webpages & other electronic forms of information to make recommendations regarding form of message, content, timeliness, communication approach & grammar.
• Manages open records requests & approves release of City information in accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act.
• Direct oversight of division staff.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, journalism, public relations or related field.

Experience:

• Strong communication skills; demonstrated competency regarding the use of current electronic media & engagement tools, desktop publishing, & graphics software.
• Three (3) years of public relations, marketing or relevant work experience.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience preferred.

Requirements:

• Possession of a valid Kansas driver’s license required.

Work Type:

• Light, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Works inside with limited work outside.

Equipment:

• Calculator, computer, copy machine, fax machine, printer, scanner, tablet, telephone, & video camera.

Hours:

• Monday – Friday.
• 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Attends meetings outside of normal office hours.

Compensation DOQ EOE:

• Full pay range: $56,/yr.
• Starting pay range: $56,/yr.

Paid Time Off:

• 60 hours of vacation available upon hire; additional 60 hours earned during the year (120 hours in first year).
• 96 hours of sick leave during first year.

Benefits Summary

Position Description

Final date to receive applications:

• Until filled

Contact Information:

City of Salina

Human Resources Department

Office:

Email: human.resources

Website: salina-ks.gov

The City of Salina is an Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace.