Tourism Communication Specialist

The Tourism Communications Specialist assists in the development and execution of compelling content across social media, website, newsletters, and community engagement channels. This role collaborates closely with internal teams and partners to create, manage, and distribute strategic messaging that promotes tourism initiatives and programs. The position also assists with program development, public outreach, and works in coordination with the CVB Sales and Marketing Manager to support digital strategies, campaigns, and branding efforts.

Assists the Sales and Marketing Manager with planning and executing the City’s tourism communication strategy, including assisting with campaign goals, key messaging, and audience targeting across multiple digital and print platforms for Explore Gainesville website, Explore Gainesville, Downtown Gainesville, Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance and Lake Lanier Olympic Park.

Specific to social media, the Tourism Communications Manager helps create content, posts and maintains information to promote local events, programs, and attractions on the event calendars located on all Tourism social media posts and blogs. Also provides site analytics for media followers and identifies trends, patterns and visitor engagement on social media sites.

Serves as the first impression that visitors and guests receive when entering the Gainesville Administration Building. Provides general and specific information in response to citizens’ inquiries and requests.

Work with the Tourism Community Engagement Manager to ensure that the welcome center is fully stocked with collateral about visiting Gainesville as well as the surrounding areas.

Answers the telephone, screens phone calls, takes messages and directs calls to appropriate destination.

Acts as liaison between website developers and the Tourism Department.

Assists with the Sales/Marketing Manager to maintain and distribute monthly newsletter.

Works closely with Video and Digital Media specialist in the promotional content of tourism events as well as the events being hosted by tourism partners.

Assist with rentals at Historic City Hall including tours, set up and breakdown and serving as manager on duty.

Assists with the training of staff.

Assist with the set‑up, community engagement and breakdown of merchandise tent at events as requested by the event manager.

Works large events as assigned and supports the Tourism team with other departmental events as needed.

Attends various meetings as required and requested.

Handles requests for service, complaints and other public contact work.

Supports Tourism, Downtown Gainesville, Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance and Lake Lanier Olympic Park public events. This may include some nights and weekends.

Performs other related duties as required by the Tourism Director.

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Communications or related field.

Two years’ experience in community relations or public information.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the minimum level of qualifications stated above.

Valid Class C Driver’s License and a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).

General and specific knowledge of the City of Gainesville, Hall County and their local attractions calendar of events, businesses and government buildings.

Skill in providing general and specific information to citizens.

Knowledge of public relations principles, practices and techniques.

Skill in receiving/routing multiple telephone calls efficiently and tactfully.

Knowledge of City organization, operations, policies and objectives.

Knowledge of multiple digital platforms including social media and website management.

Knowledge of the operations and functions of various City departments.

Skill in proofreading, proper grammar usage, graphic design/desktop publishing, preparing correspondence on routine matters and ability to perform office management tasks independently.

Ability to demonstrate high level of proficiency in various software packages such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, other employees, media and the general public.

Ability to handle and dispose of complaints, requests for information and delegated administrative details.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.