Communications Specialist
Cityofhanahan, Hanahan, SC, United States
Position Title: Communications Specialist
Department: Administration
Reports to: City Administrator
Employment Status: Exempt
Date: March 2026
General Summary The City of Hanahan is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and visionary Communications Specialist to lead the City’s internal and external communications strategy. This newly created position will serve as the City’s point of contact, responsible for enhancing public awareness, promoting transparency, and fostering community engagement through effective messaging across all platforms.
The Communications Specialist will work closely with the City Administrator, department heads, elected officials, and community stakeholders to ensure consistent, timely, and accurate communication that reflects the City’s values, goals, and initiatives.
Essential Job Functions
Develop and implement a comprehensive citywide communications and public relations strategy.
Manage media relations, including press releases, interviews, and crisis communications.
Oversee the City’s digital presence, including website content, social media platforms, newsletters, council meeting recaps, and emergency alert systems.
Collaborate with departments to promote programs, services, and events to the public.
Create and maintain branding guidelines and ensure consistent messaging across all City communications.
Manage internal communications to keep employees informed and engaged, including but not limited to, HR milestones, such as years of service and promotions.
Monitor public sentiment and media coverage; provide regular reports and recommendations to City leadership.
Coordinate public information during emergencies in collaboration with public safety and emergency management teams.
Plan and execute public outreach campaigns, town halls, and community engagement initiatives.
Educational Experience and Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, communications, or media, preferably in a government or public sector setting.
Proven experience in crisis communication, media relations, and digital content strategy.
Strong writing, editing, and public speaking skills.
Proficiency in social media management, website content management systems, and graphic design tools is a plus.
Knowledge of crisis communication and emergency messaging protocols.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with diverse community groups.
Demonstrated leadership and project management skills.
Other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in municipal government or with public agencies.
Familiarity with South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and public records laws.
Working Conditions Full-time position with potential evening or weekend hours required for posting on social media, attending public meetings or events.
Will require attendance at off-site meetings, and/or community events.
Considered Essential Staff and will stay at City Hall during emergency events.
Work is performed in a standard office environment with frequent use of computers and communication tools.
Note The listings of duties in this class specification are representative, not exhaustive. It is not necessarily a detailed description of all work responsibilities, and it does not give exclusive title to every function described.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined on a case‑by‑case basis. The City of Hanahan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the city to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodation.
*Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to represent the general nature and level of work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive description of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of the employee assigned to this position.
Starting salary range: $55,000.00 - $63,000.00. The City of Hanahan offers a competitive benefit package including health insurance and participation in the State Retirement plan (PEBA). Normal office hours are 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Attends regularly scheduled and any special meetings of City Council outside of regular office hours. May be asked to work additional or different hours or days to meet operation needs.
City of Hanahan 1255 Yeamans Hall Road Hanahan, SC 29410
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Department: Administration
Reports to: City Administrator
Employment Status: Exempt
Date: March 2026
General Summary The City of Hanahan is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and visionary Communications Specialist to lead the City’s internal and external communications strategy. This newly created position will serve as the City’s point of contact, responsible for enhancing public awareness, promoting transparency, and fostering community engagement through effective messaging across all platforms.
The Communications Specialist will work closely with the City Administrator, department heads, elected officials, and community stakeholders to ensure consistent, timely, and accurate communication that reflects the City’s values, goals, and initiatives.
Essential Job Functions
Develop and implement a comprehensive citywide communications and public relations strategy.
Manage media relations, including press releases, interviews, and crisis communications.
Oversee the City’s digital presence, including website content, social media platforms, newsletters, council meeting recaps, and emergency alert systems.
Collaborate with departments to promote programs, services, and events to the public.
Create and maintain branding guidelines and ensure consistent messaging across all City communications.
Manage internal communications to keep employees informed and engaged, including but not limited to, HR milestones, such as years of service and promotions.
Monitor public sentiment and media coverage; provide regular reports and recommendations to City leadership.
Coordinate public information during emergencies in collaboration with public safety and emergency management teams.
Plan and execute public outreach campaigns, town halls, and community engagement initiatives.
Educational Experience and Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, communications, or media, preferably in a government or public sector setting.
Proven experience in crisis communication, media relations, and digital content strategy.
Strong writing, editing, and public speaking skills.
Proficiency in social media management, website content management systems, and graphic design tools is a plus.
Knowledge of crisis communication and emergency messaging protocols.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with diverse community groups.
Demonstrated leadership and project management skills.
Other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in municipal government or with public agencies.
Familiarity with South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and public records laws.
Working Conditions Full-time position with potential evening or weekend hours required for posting on social media, attending public meetings or events.
Will require attendance at off-site meetings, and/or community events.
Considered Essential Staff and will stay at City Hall during emergency events.
Work is performed in a standard office environment with frequent use of computers and communication tools.
Note The listings of duties in this class specification are representative, not exhaustive. It is not necessarily a detailed description of all work responsibilities, and it does not give exclusive title to every function described.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined on a case‑by‑case basis. The City of Hanahan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the city to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodation.
*Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to represent the general nature and level of work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive description of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of the employee assigned to this position.
Starting salary range: $55,000.00 - $63,000.00. The City of Hanahan offers a competitive benefit package including health insurance and participation in the State Retirement plan (PEBA). Normal office hours are 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Attends regularly scheduled and any special meetings of City Council outside of regular office hours. May be asked to work additional or different hours or days to meet operation needs.
City of Hanahan 1255 Yeamans Hall Road Hanahan, SC 29410
#J-18808-Ljbffr