Community Relations Specialist

The City of Hanford is seeking a creative and collaborative Community Relations Specialist to join the Administration Department. This exciting opportunity is ideal for a communications professional who is passionate about engaging the community, promoting City programs and services, and enhancing public awareness through strategic communications, marketing, and outreach initiatives.

This is a part‑time position that is regularly scheduled to work up to 29 hours per week. Works a maximum of 1,000 hours in a fiscal year and affords no benefits.

Responsibilities

Under general direction, plans, coordinates, and implements the City’s communications, marketing, and community outreach programs. This position supports public engagement efforts through strategic communications, media relations, social media, events, and partnerships, while ensuring consistent and effective public information delivery.

Receives general supervision from the Community Relations Manager or assigned Department Head.

Plan, develop, and implement communications and marketing strategies to promote City programs, services, and initiatives.

Create, edit, and distribute content for print and digital platforms, including press releases, newsletters, social media, website content, and promotional materials for City departments.

Assist with administration of City website and customer relationship management, other online platforms.

Serve as one of the City’s primary authorized users of social media sites and is familiar with the City’s various social media policies and best practices.

Ensure consistency of City branding and messaging across all communication channels.

Design and produce graphics, photographic, video, and multimedia content for internal and external communication channels.

Coordinate and manage community outreach programs, workshops, public meetings, and special events.

Manage or support public outreach initiatives, including those related to major City projects, plans, or initiatives.

Develop and distribute external and internal surveys in print and digital formats and provide reports and recommendations as appropriate.

Build and maintain partnerships with community, civic, educational, business organizations and other external or internal city stakeholders.

Respond to public inquiries and provide information regarding City services, programs, and policies.

Assist with media relations activities and may serve as a public information contact.

Collect and analyze data related to communication and outreach efforts; prepare reports and recommend improvements.

Build and maintain positive working relationships with co‑workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service.

Foster an environment that embraces diversity, integrity, trust, and respect.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Principles and practices of public relations, communications, marketing, and community engagement.

Methods and techniques of social media management, digital communications, and website content administration.

Graphic design, multimedia production, and content development tools and techniques.

Event planning, program coordination, and public outreach strategies.

Applicable laws, regulations, and policies related to public information and government communications.

Proper English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Modern office practices, methods, and computer applications.

Essential Skills

Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Develop and implement communication and outreach strategies.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal staff, community partners, and the public.

Manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.

Analyze data and prepare clear, concise reports.

Provide excellent customer service and respond effectively to public inquiries.

Work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.

Experience and Education

Any combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge and abilities qualifies. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or community outreach.

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, public administration, or a related field.

Employee Benefits

Retirement: Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The City provides the PERS retirement program: 3% at 60 for Classic Members.

3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase

12-month final compensation period.

Sick Leave Credit

2% at 62 for New Members

3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase

Sick Leave Credit

Management Leave: Exempt employees shall receive 64 hours of Management Leave, which may be taken as time off. An employee may also cash out their Management Leave or convert their payout to deferred compensation.

Holidays: Twelve specific holidays, plus two floating holidays.

Paid Holiday Closure: City offices (where possible) will be closed Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.

Vacation: Vacation leave starts at 11 days annually, increasing to 21 days based on time in service.

Sick Leave: Sick leave accrual of 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation. At retirement, unused sick leave may be applied toward retirement for Classic Members.

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: The premiums for medical and dental insurance are split 60/40. The city covers 60% of the premium, and the employee pays 40%. VSP Vision is provided to each employee at no cost. Additionally, vision coverage for family members is available at a 60/40 shared cost.

Hanford Employee Care Connection (City-sponsored clinic): free and available to all insured full‑time employees and covered dependents. Medical care offering same‑day appointments, little to no copays, and comprehensive healthcare.

Life insurance: $100,000 City paid policy.

Tuition Reimbursement: A tuition reimbursement plan is available for work‑related study for up to $5,000 per fiscal year.

Longevity: Employees shall receive a stipend upon completion of the following consecutive years of active service with the City of Hanford. The City Manager shall have the discretion to provide longevity pay based on cumulative years of service at another public entity (State, County, or City municipality) in a management and/or technical level position.

Five (5) years of service: 2.5%

Ten (10) years of service: an additional 2.5%

Fifteen (15) years of service: an additional 2.5%

Twenty (20) years of service, an additional 2.5 Maximum allowance of 10%.

Deferred Compensation / Employer Match: Employees covered under the G.E.M.A. MOUs are eligible to receive matched employer contributions for deferred compensation up to $75.00 per pay period for the term of the MOU.

Cell Phone and Mobile Device Reimbursement: $50 per month for cell phone reimbursement; $50 per month for mobile device reimbursement.

#J-18808-Ljbffr