Communications Manager

THE CITY OF JACKSON IS CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Communications Manager All the relevant skills, qualifications and experience that a successful applicant will need are listed in the following description. ** EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ** The City of Jackson is committed to becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. We are dedicated to creating an environment that fully embraces all our differences and shared experiences. General Summary: Under the direction of the City Manager, performs professional level work preparing and presenting public information and marketing materials in support of the City's public information program. Provides support to the City Council and management by developing methods and materials to promote City activities and events and assist City departments with communication needs and projects. Job Duties & Responsibilities: Composes communication vehicles such as news releases, media advisories and bulletins, proclamations, brochures, newsletters, speeches, videos, and presentations for newspapers, magazines, and the broadcast media designed to inform the public of the roles, resources, and activities of the City for programs and activities. Performs research, data collection, and preparation of written and visual material for public presentations, brochures, flyers, news releases, newsletters, brochures, websites, advertising, reports, and special projects. Drafts press releases and public service announcements; establishes and maintains effective media relations including monitoring news coverage of City events, contacting media personnel to obtain coverage of City activities, and providing information that has been verified; maintains up-to-date video news clips. Coordinates the development and placement of paid advertising; works with the media to develop public service advertising. Plans, coordinates, and participates in special public information events and projects; develops strategies to educate the public on new programs and concepts; participates in planning, organizing, and publicizing programs and public or City events; makes public presentations. Assists with and performs emergency communication for public information functions. Coordinates internal and external communication programs. Composes materials used for internal and external communication such as brochures, newsletters, and flyers. Makes presentations to City boards and commissions, as well as groups inside and outside the City, to provide information and obtain support for department activities. May assist Department Heads and Elected Officials in preparing materials and reports for presentations. Provide public information, marketing, and outreach assistance to a wide variety of City departments, programs, and functions in support of overall City outreach efforts. Attends City Council and other City and community meetings as needed and monitors public perception issues and emerging trends to strategically plan for marketing, outreach, and public information purposes. Monitor State and Federal legislative amendments. Serve as the City's legislative advocate and government affairs coordinator. May supervise, coordinate, review, and evaluate the work of other staff should the City Manager deem it necessary. Other duties as assigned The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned this classification. Such statements are descriptive and explanatory but not restrictive. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified. The listing of particular examples of duties does not preclude the assignment of other tasks of related kind or character or of lesser skills. Preferred Experience Requirements: A minimum of one (1) year of professional experience in public relations, government affairs, marketing, journalism, communications, or a closely related field is required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in legislative advocacy or government relations. Minimum Education Requirements: Must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in public relations, government affairs, marketing, journalism, communications, or closely related field; and no less than one (1) year of professional experience in any one of the above noted fields with preference given to an individual with legislative advocacy/government relations experience. Must have excellent oral and written communication skills, must possess a valid driver's license, and be able to work outside the standard business day. In addition to the above requirements, all City positions require: the ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language as necessary for their position; the ability to follow written and oral instructions; and the ability to get along with other employees and members of the public. City employees are also expected to possess and maintain a record of orderly law-abiding citizenship, sobriety, integrity and loyalty as it pertains to and reflects upon their employment with the City; and must be physically and mentally able to perform the essential duties of their position without excessive absences. Working Conditions: Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with frequent interruptions, deadlines, and contact with elected officials, department heads, employees, media representatives, and members of the public. The position requires attendance at evening and weekend meetings, events, and activities as assigned. Work may also be performed at off-site locations, outdoors during community events, or in emergency operations settings. The role may involve occasional travel to conferences, training, and legislative sessions. The employee must be able to adapt to changing priorities and handle sensitive or confidential information with discretion. Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Vision sufficient to read rules, regulations, policies, procedures, reports, computer screens, newspapers, statistics, data, graphs, and audio-visual materials. Hearing sufficient to hear conversational levels in person and over the telephone. Speech sufficient to make oneself heard in person, over the telephone, and when making presentations in front of groups or the media. Mobility sufficient to safely move in an office environment, travel to locations throughout the City, and to periodically walk a considerable amount outside. Strength sufficient to safely lift, move, and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds. Dexterity is sufficient to safely operate office equipment, including computers. Endurance is sufficient to maintain efficiency throughout entire work shift and during extended work hours as necessary. It is the policy of the city to promote and encourage the recruitment, hiring, training and advancement of all persons and not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of religion, race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, marital status, source or level of income, height, weight, religious or political opinion, union affiliation, and physical or mental handicap unrelated to the individual's ability to perform the duties of a particular job or position. Grade 4 /Salary: $61,177 - $82,599 Benefit Package: Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance Pension program Deferred compensation plan (457) Healthcare savings Date Posted: October 27, 2025 Application Deadline: November 17, 2025 To Apply: Visit the City of Jackson website at cityofjackson.org and view the Personnel and Labor Relations Department page. Click on the job title you wish to apply for under job opportunities and submit your information to include a resume. You will receive an email once you apply including the next steps which will include completing a City of Jackson application.