DER Marketing and Communications Officer

This position is exempt from Civil Service, and the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Employee Relations Director.

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed historic charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities, and great restaurants.

The City of Milwaukee is proud to employ a diverse workforce that is committed to providing exemplary service to the City’s residents. If you have a passion for being a part of an inclusive team of public servants, please consider the following opportunity.

The DER Marketing and Communications Officer designs and implements the social media, communication and media relations campaigns for the Department of Employee Relations (DER).

MEDIA AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS

• Serve as the spokesperson for the department; respond to inquiries from the media and the public, including open records requests.
• Develop and implement media relations and public relations strategies.
• Represent the department and serve as a liaison with other City departments; work closely with the Mayor’s Office Communications staff and the Office of Emergency Management to develop communications strategies and alerts.
• Assist internal partners with communications development requests.
• Attend events on behalf of the Employee Relations Director.

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

• Create marketing campaigns to assist with recruitment and retention efforts.
• Write, develop, and produce communications, including E‑Notify, press releases, speeches, and presentations.
• Work closely with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to promote activities and events.
• Develop, write, and execute employee feature stories.
• Manage social media and other communication channels for the Department.
• Manage the departmental website.
• Oversee brand management across all platforms for the department.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Stay apprised of trends and development in the field by reading and conducting research.
• Participate in training and professional development related to public relations, media, marketing, and communications.

We welcome qualified individuals with disabilities who are interested in employment and will make reasonable accommodations during the hiring process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

• The DER Marketing and Communications Officer must be willing and able to work beyond standard business hours on occasion to meet departmental needs.

1. Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public administration or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Four years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, marketing, media or public relations, or communications performing duties related to this position.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

NOTICE: Please do not attach your academic transcripts to your employment application. The hiring department will verify candidates’ education as part of the background screening process prior to extending any job offers.

• Experience in strategic communications and social media management.

TECHNICAL

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations, communications, and media affairs.
• Ability to provide strategic advice on communications issues.
• Ability to oversee and implement the digital media strategy, social media marketing, and website management.
• Skill in using computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation.
• Ability to read and interpret job-related documents, such as manuals and industry publications.
• Superior written and visual communication skills to prepare compelling, audience-appropriate, and publication-ready scripts, speeches, press releases, digital content, marketing materials, reports, and correspondence.
• Expert-level skill in proofreading to ensure that documents and digital content are error-free. 

INTERPERSONAL AND CULTURAL COMPETENCE

• Verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with the media, business associations, academia, community groups, other governmental agencies, and residents.
• Presentation skills to confidently represent the department before various audiences, large and small.
• Interpersonal skills to build relationships with managers, colleagues, staff, elected officials, news reporters, and the public.
• Ability to exhibit an exemplary level of cultural competence and work cooperatively and fairly with people whose backgrounds may differ from one’s own. 

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROFESSIONALISM

• Ability to plan, organize, and accomplish projects, manage multiple assignments simultaneously, meet deadlines, and manage shifting priorities.
• Skill in short- and long-term strategic planning.
• Ability to approach projects with energy, creativity, and resourcefulness.
• Skill in analyzing and solving problems, as well as the ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to perform well under pressure.
• Honesty, integrity, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

The current salary range (Pay Range 2JX) is $71,341-$90,796 and the current resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $73,482-$93,520. Appointment above the minimum is possible based upon level of experience and other qualifications and is subject to approval.

The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program that includes the following:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Health and Dental Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Comprehensive Wellness Program
• Onsite Clinic Services
• Onsite Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative Work Schedules
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
• Flexible Spending Arrangement
• Commuter Value Pass

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit https://city.milwaukee.gov/der/benefits.

Screening for this position will be based on an evaluation of each applicant’s education, experience, and professional accomplishments, which should be detailed in a cover letter and resume.

• Please send a cover letter and resume via email to jharve@milwaukee.gov by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 25, 2023:
• Indicate “DER Marketing and Communications Officer” in the email message subject line.
• Inquiries regarding the selection process may be directed to Jeff Harvey by calling 414.286.3394 or via email at jharve@milwaukee.gov.
• The City of Milwaukee reserves the right to invite only the most qualified applicants to participate in the selection process. 

INITIAL FILING DATE: The selection process will be conducted as soon as practical after Friday, August 25, 2023. Receipt of application materials may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice. However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

• The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

EEO 208

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.