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Job Description
Distinguishing Features of the Class
Plans, organizes and manages information dissemination, public relations activities, media relations and municipal communications including the management of the City Cable Channel and employee communications for the City of Des Moines; performs directly related work as required.
The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:- Residency Incentive
- Alternative Work Arrangements
- Volunteer Time
- Parental Leave
- Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Health/Dental/Life Insurance
- Wellness Programs
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Benefit
- Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
- Deferred Compensation Plan matching up to 2.5%
- Employee Discounts
Acceptable Experience and Training- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Public Affairs, Public Relations, Communications, English, Journalism or a related field; and
- Considerable experience in communications/public information operations; or
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work.
Transcripts need to be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department; electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org , by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1551 E MLK Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50317 by the application deadline date.
Required Special Qualifications- Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.
- Valid Iowa Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility.
Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)- Serves as an official City spokesperson on a wide range of municipal issues at the direction of an Assistant City Manager, including emergency scenarios;
- Manages communications processes within the City, including developing and implementing policies and procedures designed to improve communication systems within the City structure and more accurately and efficiently disseminate information to the public;
- Performs public relations/news dissemination functions, including preparing news releases, coordinating press inquiries, brochure development, conducting interviews, gathering information from individual City departments and coordinating special event media coverage;
- Consults with City staff to develop strategies and policies for communicating information to the media and the public to ensure accurate and timely responses to public inquiries and citizen concerns;
- Coordinates City-wide communication efforts, including overseeing the development and implementation of Internet computer websites;
- Prepares speeches and visual presentations;
- Creates, directs and coordinates production of a cable television live broadcasts and typed programming;
- Manages all City employees involved in public affairs projects, including hiring, training, supervising and evaluating daily work activities and developing strategies for positive relations with the general public;
- Edits and publishes a monthly newsletter;
- Completes special projects for the City Manager as directed;
- Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
- Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
- Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
- Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
- Communicates and coordinates regularly with Department Directors and others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental communications;
- Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.
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Closing Date/Time: 1/2/2025 4:00 PM Central -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Des Moines
Show moreDes Moines is the capital city and is the commercial, financial, transportation, and governmental hub of Iowa. Extending over 80 square miles, Des Moines is home to over 212,000 people and the central city of a metropolitan area of approximately 634,000. Des Moines is a vibrant city, intersected by the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.
Des Moines is a city with many cultural amenities, ease of commuting, Iowa State government, three higher education institutions, good schools, ample shopping, affordable housing, fine dining, great health care, and a stable high-performing local government. It also is the home of the Iowa State Fair and is the host to countless conventions, trade shows, and sporting and entertainment events each year.
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