DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK:
This is highly responsible on-call, administrative work managing the budgeting, planning, and implementation of a comprehensive City-wide strategic communication plan using digital, print, broadcast, television, and other appropriate media, as well as pro-active public relations and brand management. The position is responsible for directing the City cable television station (CDTV) and overseeing communications for multiple departments to ensure unified messaging and maximize public awareness of the City’s initiatives. The appointee establishes the City as the source of truth for information, drives Dearborn's brand footprint, and collaborates across departments to ensure strategic alignment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Essential Job Functions (Functions essential to attaining job objectives):
- Organizes and directs the communications and City cable television (CDTV) staff in day-to-day activities designed to provide transparent information, promote positive public relations, and establish a powerful, favorable brand for the City of Dearborn.
- Plans, conducts, and executes a comprehensive public relations and brand management program designed to build and maintain a strong reputation for Dearborn.
- Serves as the architect and guardian of the City's communications strategy, ensuring the Communications Department acts as a source of truth for all information as it relates to the city.
- Partners and collaborates with other department heads to ensure strategic alignment, maximize visibility for all the good work happening across the City, and unify cross-departmental communications.
- Directs the content strategy, presentation, and user experience of the City website, working to optimize user ability and make information easy, intuitive, and accessible to the public.
- Plans and directs the development and dissemination of external communications designed to keep the public continuously informed of City programs, accomplishments, policies, and official updates.
- Arranges and coordinates media interviews with public officials and acts as the primary response point for inquiries from media requiring immediate attention.
- Responds immediately to Police officials, Fire officials, or any other City department when critical incidents occur that require rapid, accurate crisis information to be disseminated to the public.
- Arranges for public relations efforts in order to meet needs, objectives, and policies of the City’s communications plan and functions as an expert in-house communications consultant for all city departments.
- Distributes fact sheets, news releases, digital media assets, and photographs to media representatives and target audiences to maximize outreach and build the City's presence.
- Develops and implements high-quality citizen publications, digital newsletters, and modern media assets designed to communicate critical information about City services, programs, and events.
- Develops and manages the routine production of internal communication networks to keep city employees aligned, engaged, and informed of administrative goals.
- Responsible for monitoring and archiving recent media presence, voice and videotapes, and digital clips relating to the City of Dearborn, as well as maintaining official departmental documentation.
- Prepares strategic speeches, official letters, correspondence, proclamations, and citations for public officials as requested.
- Arranges for and conducts public-contact programs designed to meet the City's outreach objectives, utilizing data and knowledge of changing attitudes and opinions of citizens, commissions, employees, and community interest groups.
- Promotes goodwill and transparency through external outreach efforts such as press conferences, speeches, community exhibits, multimedia content, and interactive question-and-answer sessions.
- Represents the City during high-profile community projects and at public, social, and business gatherings to elevate the city's profile.
- Researches data, creates innovative campaigns, writes copy, procures modern multimedia artwork, and represents the City directly before the general public.
- Functions as the official City Public Information Officer (PIO) and primary City Spokesperson / Director of Communications.
- Oversees all local, state, and news releases, news stories, CDTV cable television programming, and official City multimedia asset production.
- Production and promotion of major strategic segments of annual ceremonial events as directed, including the Memorial Day Parade, Homecoming Celebration, and other signature city events to leverage branding opportunities.
- Coordinates recruitment and hiring of department staff with the Human Resources Department. Assigns work, supervises personnel, evaluates performance, and oversees professional development. Takes disciplinary action according to established procedures.
- Continually improves the quality, efficiency, and reach of all communications operations.
- Keeps abreast of changing regulations, communication technologies, and industry best practices through continued education and professional growth. Maintains cooperative relationships with peer agencies and other governmental units. Attends conferences, workshops, and seminars as appropriate.
- Prepares and presents annual budget requests, administers the departmental budget, and ensures that the authorized budgetary procedure is properly used. Reviews purchase requests, overtime usage, expense reports, and other related requests.
- Serves as a primary liaison to community organizations as directed.
- Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
Marginal Job Functions (Peripheral or incidental to primary job functions):
- Performs related work as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Exceptional written, verbal, and digital communication skills.
- Demonstrated skill in the strategic management of high-profile public sector events and public relations campaigns.
- Proven ability to build, establish, and maintain a highly recognizable municipal brand.
- Deep understanding of website usability, user experience (UX) principles, and digital content strategy to make public platforms easy to navigate.
- Proficient speech writing and executive message development skills.
- Must possess a variety of advanced digital, multimedia, web content management, and broadcast communication skills.
- Demonstrated skill in meeting tight deadlines, managing fast-moving schedules, and handling high-stakes media environments.
- Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of diverse professional communications, technical broadcast (CDTV), and clerical staff.
- Proven managerial, leadership, and cross-departmental collaboration skills.
- Ability to develop, articulate, and implement long-term strategic communication and marketing plans.
- Ability to establish departmental goals and meet established timetables and financial targets.
- Ability to build community consensus, foster trust, and establish the department as the reliable source of truth for residents.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships and use excellent judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness when dealing with employees, professional contacts, community groups, residents, elected officials, and media representatives.
- Ability to work on multiple complex tasks simultaneously in a highly visible, public, and fast-paced environment.
- Ability to effectively communicate and present complex ideas and concepts clearly to the public, media, and executive leadership.
- Ability to critically assess volatile situations, solve problems creatively, and work effectively under extreme stress and within strict media deadlines.
- Ability to continually innovate and improve the reach and quality of all media and communication operations.
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Preferred graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Public Administration, or a closely related field, and possess a minimum of 1 years of highly applicable, progressive leadership experience in strategic public relations, communications management, or public administration.
NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
A valid driver license and a good driving record.
