What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Director, Communications and Public Information position at City of Austin?
Position Information
Posting Title
Deputy Director, Communications and Public Information
Job Requisition Number
COA086465
Position Number
113529
Job Type
Full-Time
Division Name
Public Information Office
Minimum Qualifications
- Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Communications, Public Administration, or a related field, plus six (6) years of experience in communications, including two (2) years of experience which were in a supervisory or management capacity.
- Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for non-supervisory experience with a maximum substitution of one (1) year.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
None
Notes to Applicants
Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.
To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.
To review a detailed recruitment profile for this position, please click HERE.
Regarding Your Application:
To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.
To review a detailed recruitment profile for this position, please click HERE.
Regarding Your Application:
- A detailed and complete Employment Application is required.
- Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application.
- Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application. Employment history dates must include month and year.
- This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).
- To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by August 12, 2022. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.
- This position is subject to the Texas Open Records Act.
Pay Range
Commensurate
Hours
Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Hours may vary depending upon business needs.
Job Close Date
Type of Posting
External
Department
Communications and Public Information Office
Regular/Temporary
Regular
Grant Funded or Pooled Position
Not Applicable
Category
Professional
Location
Austin City Hall 301 W. Second St. Austin, TX 78701
Preferred Qualifications
The ideal candidate must be a team player who embodies the traits of a servant leader. They must be dedicated to transparency, an active listener, and focused on ensuring the City and its team of professionals are able to share their perspectives with the public. The ideal candidate will think
beyond department lines, sees the City as a whole, and operate based on what is best for the organization. The ideal candidate must also be creative, innovative, and collaborative; experienced in establishing new, productive working relationships while maintaining existing relationships. They are also problem solvers with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
beyond department lines, sees the City as a whole, and operate based on what is best for the organization. The ideal candidate must also be creative, innovative, and collaborative; experienced in establishing new, productive working relationships while maintaining existing relationships. They are also problem solvers with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Exceptional Leadership – A leader who uses judgement to handle community concerns and has sharp problem-solving skills with the ability to build quality interpersonal relationships throughout the city with diverse communities.
- Thinks Strategically – Enables others to better understand and implement the vision and strategy, while being the aligned forward thinker, has the ability to formulate and communicate sound business strategy, and implement it in a clear and concise manner.
- Community Collaborator – Has experience presenting complex strategies to internal and external stakeholders on projects and programs that may include public outreach, City Council updates, and program implementation.
- Team Building – Ability to cause a group of people to work together effectively as a team to accomplish a common goal or vision.
- Media Relations – Working with media for the purpose of informing the public of an organization’s mission, policies and practices in a positive, consistent and credible manner.
- Problem Solving – Demonstrated ability to find solutions to difficult or complex issues.
- Equity Lens – Ability to use an equity lens and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and safe workspaces and programs.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Assists in overseeing day-to-day operations of the City’s Communication and Public Information Office with special emphasis on media relations, social media, and community relations ensuring a unified City message.
- Develops and maintains professional working relationships with news media representatives and assists media with information about meetings, City decisions, policies, and other City issues of interest to the media.
- Works with the Director in formulating and executing communications strategies for corporate initiatives including in crisis and emergency communications efforts, especially those tied to emergency activations. Closely involved in crisis communications and issues management involving media relations, social media, and community relations.
- Assists with budgeting, human resources, records management, technology, and other operational needs. Works with department Administrator to ensure compliance with City policies, ordinances, administrative regulations, and State law.
- Aligns operational planning, policies, and procedures with the strategic direction of the department and of the City’s broader network of public information professionals.
- Directs the implementation of short- and long-range goals for current and new programs.
- Develops, recommends, and implements innovations and new initiatives to advance public communication and engagement on behalf of the City.
- Represents the Chief Communications Director as needed during emergency operations center activations, on City of Austin organizational committee executive meetings, community meetings, and interdepartmental work groups as required, and during the Director’s absence.
- Coordinates and collaborates with City departments and provides consultation on addressing communication needs on issues of concern.
- Stays abreast of current trends, problems, and activities within the department and stakeholder groups and informs Director to facilitate decision-making.
- Creates and edits communications to proactively promote City policies and programs to the public.
Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
Responsible for the full range of supervisory responsibilities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
- Knowledge of emergency operations, disaster relief, and public safety-related incidents.
- Knowledge of communications techniques, practices, and program development.
- Knowledge of strategic and fiscal planning, and budget preparation.
- Knowledge of media relations management, including social media management.
- Knowledge of community engagement practices, including best practices identified by International Association of Public Participation.
- Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.
- Skill in handling multiple tasks, and planning and prioritizing critical work.
- Skill in analyzing and interpreting research data as it pertains to both organizational and public issues.
- Skill in maintaining effective working relationships with City employees and the general public.
- Skill in identifying and navigating a complex political environment.
- Ability to see a broad view of an issue or challenge across typical organizational lines and beyond the present and adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
- Ability to navigate complex relationships and influence others to achieve individual and collective goals.
- Ability to recognize, manage, and resolve conflicts and complex problems efficiently and equitably.
- Ability to identify and determine customer needs and take appropriate actions to address needs.
- Ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner that solve issues and stand the test of time.
- Ability to manage diversity, understand inclusion, and work with diverse communities or populations to build constructive and effective relationships.
- Ability to recognize areas for improvement to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
Criminal Background Investigation
This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation.
EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or TTY (512) 974-2445.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within
the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Deputy Chief, Information Technology
Kipptexas -
Austin, TX
Public Relations and Communications Manager
Udacity -
Austin, TX
Communications & Giving Coordinator
Valor Public Schools -
Austin, TX
