MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

This position is exempt from Civil Service and serves at the pleasure of the Commissioner of Public Works.

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 charm with a breathtaking art museum, 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 Marketing and Communications Officer serves as the public information and media liaison for the Infrastructure Division. The position is responsible for building awareness of upcoming infrastructural projects to improve community engagement and public involvement. 

Community Engagement and Outreach

• Assist, develop, and implement the public involvement plan for major infrastructural projects.
• Organize and facilitate public involvement meetings, pre-construction meetings, and specific business meetings; attend weekly construction meetings.
• Represent and act as a Department of Public Works (DPW) spokesperson at public meetings, media events, committees and task force groups.
• Serve as the primary liaison for businesses, residents, neighborhood groups, elected officials, and other governmental entities for infrastructure related projects; create a database of contacts and advisory stakeholder groups.
• Advocate on behalf of affected businesses and residents and refer problems to appropriate project team members or other agencies.
• Process business and residents’ complaints and respond to concerns in a timely and professional manner.
• Identify and coordinate the needs of impacted businesses in advance of construction to have appropriate signage fabricated and alternate means for parking and access routes; provide information to businesses on how to get assistance in marketing their business during construction projects.
• Evaluate and improve the tools available within the “Support for Business Program” on an annual basis.

Media and Communication

• Oversee the DPW website for Major Road & Bridge Projects, including creating and editing content for project pages, adding new features/design elements to make pages informative, user friendly, and increase online public participation.
• Provide construction updates for major infrastructural projects across various platforms (e.g., website, email distribution list and Next Door).
• Develop communication materials, including press releases, media advisories, traffic alerts and notices for local projects and major infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate the dissemination of information to the media, public, community organizations, and community partners.
• Co-manage social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Next Door, YouTube, and emerging platforms.
• Write talking points, scripts, and or presentations regarding public works matters for the Commissioner, divisional managers, and other employees.
• Arrange special events, news conferences, media coverage, and coordinate staff participation.
• Consult with the Communications and Marketing Officer – Administrative Services on media and public relations aspects.

Branding and Marketing

• Design and create DPW branded materials, including public involvement meeting flyers, handouts, presentations, comment cards, project overviews, support for business guidebook, and “open for business” signs.
• Photograph construction sites and special events for the website, newsletters, and social media use.

• Please be advised that new employees are required to have received either both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine prior to their employment start date or have an approved religious or medical accommodation prior to their employment start date. You can find further information relative to the City’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy here: https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/derAuthors/Policies/COVID-19EmployeeVaccinationPolicy.pdf.
• The Marketing and Communications Officer must be willing and able to work beyond standard business hours on occasion to meet departmental needs.
• Will require travel to various sites throughout the City of Milwaukee.

1. Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
2. Three years of experience in marketing and communications project management.
3. Valid driver’s license is required at time of appointment and throughout employment.

Equivalent combinations of education and professional experience will be considered.

• Experience in engineering, transportation, or the construction industry.
• Familiarity with graphic design, photography, and video editing.

Technical

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations, communications, and media affairs.      
• Expert-level knowledge of and ability to apply the conventions of writing.        
• Expert-level skill in proofreading and ensuring documents are error-free.         
• Ability to provide strategic advice on communications issues.          
• Ability to read and interpret job-related documents, such as open records laws, industry publications, and legal documents.         
• Skill in using computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.        
• Familiarity with social media platforms, strategies, best practices and the associated use of analytics.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Superior written and visual communication skills to be able to prepare compelling, audience-appropriate, and publication-ready scripts, speeches, press releases, digital content, marketing materials, reports, and correspondence.         
• Highly developed verbal communication and presentation skills to represent the department effectively, and the ability to effectively communicate to a wide variety of audiences.        
• Ability to identify and build relationships with business associations and community organizations related to the work of the department.       
• Ability to exhibit cultural awareness and sensitivity.         
• Ability to ensure mechanisms for obtaining feedback and input from persons with diverse backgrounds and to ensure the consideration of the role of cultural, social and behavioral factors and in the accessibility, availability, acceptability and delivery of public messaging and media relations.  

Critical Thinking and Professionalism

• Ability to plan, organize, and accomplish work, manage multiple assignments simultaneously, and meet deadlines.         
• Skill in analyzing and solving problems, as well as the ability to exercise sound judgment.           
• Ability to perform well under pressure.         
• Time management skills, including the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities.         
• Honesty, integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality.

The current salary range (2JX) is $69,943- $89,016 annually, and the resident incentive salary range for City of Milwaukee residents is $72,041 - $91,686. 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 which includes:

• 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, resume and transcripts (if applicable).
• Cover letter and resume must be sent via email to HR Administrator, Jason Pifer at japifer@milwaukee.gov by 11:59 p.m. on January 6, 2023.
• Please indicate “Marketing and Communications Officer” in the subject line of the email.
• Questions relative to the selection process may be directed to HR Administrator, Jason Pifer at japifer@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 January 6, 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 job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

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