JOB
Grade: PM2
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive Position: No
Supervisor Title: Engagement and Communications Director
Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience:
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Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations or a similar degree field
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five years of work experience in a communications field, engagement, marketing, digital communications, and/or public relations.
OR
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Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the job proficiently may be substituted for the above requirements.
Nature of Work:
The Engagement and Communications Coordinator is a creative, adaptable, and highly self-motivated professional who plays a key role in advancing the City’s Strategic Plan through meaningful public engagement and effective communication. Under the direction of the Engagement and Communications Director, this position leads the City’s public engagement efforts and supports both internal and external communication initiatives.
This position requires a positive, innovative, and forward-thinking individual who welcomes change, adapts quickly to shifting priorities, and understands how to contribute within a creative and fast-paced environment. The Coordinator is responsible for developing authentic engagement opportunities, creating compelling communication materials, supporting organizational messaging, and helping ensure that community voices are heard and reflected in City initiatives.
A key focus of this position is identifying community-wide engagement opportunities and creating a visible City presence at community, neighborhood, and partner events. The Coordinator proactively seeks opportunities to connect with residents, businesses, community groups, and stakeholders in settings where people naturally gather, helping strengthen relationships, build trust, expand participation in City initiatives and supporting transparent communication across the organization and with the public. Success in this position requires more than completing assigned tasks; it requires initiative, creativity, strategic thinking, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
About Us:
Our employees are committed to working in an environment that fosters the core values of the City of Mankato – positive attitude, accountability, respect, teamwork, and integrity. We care about making a positive difference in the lives of others. Our work is challenging and has purpose. We listen and engage with each other and our community. We are empowered and trusted to make good decisions that align with the public service principles and core values. Our organization is committed to investing and developing each other. We will recognize and celebrate our collective achievements and individual accomplishments.
We take pride in investing in our employees. Our team enjoys a supportive work environment that encourages not only success for the community we serve, but for you as well. Come grow your career with us!
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Primary Essential Work Functions:
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Leads, coordinates, and supports the City’s public engagement efforts, including external engagement, internal engagement, and engagement activities conducted in partnership with consultants.
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Provides internal communications leadership and support across the organization to promote consistent, timely, and effective messaging.
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Coordinates and oversees Every Voice Mankato, the City’s digital engagement platform, including content development, project updates, public input opportunities, and engagement reporting.
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Develops and implements innovative engagement and communication strategies that align with the City’s Strategic Plan and support organizational goals.
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Identifies opportunities to improve communication methods, strengthen community engagement, and increase public participation in City initiatives.
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Serves as a website administrator upon completion of training and assists with maintaining accurate, timely, accessible, and engaging website content.
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Creates, reviews, edits, and approves relevant, clear, and interesting website content for public and internal audiences.
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Designs and produces appealing layouts, graphics, visual materials, and other communication products for digital, print, social media, website, and engagement platforms.
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Analyzes engagement data, public feedback, participation trends, and communication metrics; prepares reports and makes recommendations based on findings.
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Creates, coordinates, and manages key annual communication and engagement projects, including but not limited to the City Calendar, community contests, Annual Cleanup, Earth Day, Arbor Day, City Council Community Awards Ceremonies, City News, and State of the City.
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Supports planning, promotion, communication, and execution of community events, engagement activities, recognition programs, and strategic communication campaigns.
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Assists with developing messaging, presentations, talking points, surveys, promotional materials, and other communication resources for City departments and leadership.
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Collaborates with departments to identify communication needs, develop engagement strategies, and ensure messaging is consistent with City priorities and standards.
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Serves as backup support for crisis communications, third in line, as assigned or needed.
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Serves as backup support for media relations, third in line, as assigned or needed.
Other Work Functions:
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Maintains effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, consultants, community partners, media representatives, and members of the public.
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Stays current on communication trends, public engagement practices, accessibility standards, digital tools, and emerging technologies that may enhance City communications.
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Attendance during regularly scheduled work hours and outside regular hours as necessary.
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Effective and respectful communication and interactions with other employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations, and community customers.
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Performs other related work as assigned or apparent.
The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.
Communicates With:
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Internally – All organization staff including department heads, directors, City Manager
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Externally – All news media contacts, the public, media vendors and contractors
Supervision:
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION Regular working hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and outside of regular hours as necessary.
