Communications and Marketing Specialist

Job Description:

Communications and Marketing Specialist

Description

Description

First review after two weeks: 06/20/2025

CORE VALUE STATEMENT
The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT
We expect our employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and by the City’s Accident Prevention Plan. This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action; emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
Under general supervision of the PIO/Marketing Supervisor, performs a variety of Communications and Marketing functions to assist the City in creating and managing external communication plans related to initiatives and services to our diverse community, as well as develop internal strategies to keep employees informed, aligned and connected to our mission, vision and values. Incumbent interacts frequently with executive staff members, the general public, and collaborates with department supervisors/managers and employees. This position involves creating marketing materials for various departments, as well as being a member of the City’s Web Team.

WORK SCHEDULE
The initial work schedule for this classification will be full-time, Monday through Friday. Early mornings, evenings and weekend work may be occasionally required. This classification is exempt under the FLSA.

Examples of Work Performed (Illustrative Only)

The following list reflects the essential job duties and responsibilities of this classification, but should not be considered all-inclusive. The incumbent will be expected to perform other related duties as assigned.

• Actively engages in the City’s marketing endeavors by creating compelling marketing materials and other content for both internal and external communications to enhance the organization’s brand and effectively convey messages.
• Plans, writes, and edits a variety of materials, which may include press releases, public speeches, newsletters, brochures, inserts, and/or other related items. Composes fact sheets, reports and news releases for upcoming issues and events.
• Promotes the city through media outlets; prepares and disseminates information to the public; establishes and maintains effective relationships with representatives of the media. Understands the City’s overall goals and priorities to develop and coordinate the City’s internal and external strategic communication messaging plan.
• Assist with the City’s internal and external webpages ensuring accurate information optimizing web performance and functionality.
• Manages content on the City’s electronic and social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter, to include writing, researching, editing, posting, monitoring and responding.
• Manages the department's records throughout the lifecycle in compliance with the City's Records Retention requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Employment Standards

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations or a closely related field is preferred. This position requires two or more years of specialized/technical training in Graphics Arts or Marketing and three or more years of previous experience involving significant interaction with the general public, preferably in a customer service capacity, or any combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties listed above.

• Must pass a criminal background investigation.
• Must maintain a level of mental and physical fitness required to perform the essential functions of this classification.

Supplemental Requirements

To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Modern principles and practices of public information, media relations, marketing, and communications.
• Ability to conduct advanced research on organizational policies and procedures, best practices and innovative techniques.
• Principles and methods of conceptual design, page layout, freehand, photographic, computer techniques, processes and equipment.
• Communication tools, graphic design software, and analytics platforms.
• Support and implement public information and community relations strategies. Provide continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes and work
• cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
• Ability to research program documents and narrative materials, and develop reports from information gathered.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; work independently with little or no direction, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Must maintain regular attendance and punctuality.

Physical Requirements:
To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to meet the following physical requirements: must regularly talk, hear/listen, see/observe, sit, stand and walk; must regularly demonstrate fine motor skills; must occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force.

The benefits listed below are those currently enjoyed by full-time City of Kennewick Non-Contract employees. It is important to remember that over the course of time these benefits may change - they are not permanent. Benefits may change through City Council or administrative action or changes mandated by state and federal law.

Paid Holidays
12 per year (9 scheduled; 3 “floating”)
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and three floating holidays selected by the employee. An employee will accrue one of the three floating holidays on each of the following days: February 1, February 12, and August 31. An employee will only accrue a floating holiday on these days if actually employed.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
The purpose of PTO is to compensate employees for absences due to injury, illness, vacation and personal business. In addition, the program is designed to provide employees with personal flexibility regarding the use of leave hours. PTO hours accrue based upon the actual number of regular hours worked.

Accrual per Month:
0-5yrs 6-9yrs 10-14yrs 15-19yrs 20-24yrs 25-29yrs 30+yrs
12 hours 15 hours 17 hours 19 hours 21 hours 23 hours 25 hours

Retirement Plan
All City employees are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). The City and the employee both contribute toward the plan. PERS provides regular retirement and disability retirement benefits. City employees also participate in the Social Security Program. Rates effective as of 09/01/2024. ( www.drs.wa.gov )

PERS Employee Contribution Rate Employer Contribution Rate
Plan II 6.36% 9.11%
Plan III Employee Choice (see booklet) 9.11%

Deferred Comp
The City contributes an equivalent of 5% of your regular monthly salary to Mission Square Retirement (previously ICMA) deferred compensation program. No employee match required, but employees may contribute towards plan if desired. ( www.icmarc.org )

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
The City currently pays the entire dental and vision insurance premiums for the employee and dependents. Employee current premium share is $200.00 per month for medical insurance to cover themselves and dependents.

Life Insurance
1.5 x annual salary (not to exceed $250K) provided by the City of Kennewick. Employee may purchase Voluntary Term Life Insurance for employee, spouse and/or dependents through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Long Term Disability
The City pays the entire long-term disability premium for employees through New York Life (previously Cigna).

Wellness Program
The Wellness Program has been established to encourage employee health and fitness, both at work and at home. A City Wellness Committee promotes and provides opportunities for healthy lifestyles. Employee fitness center is open to all employees and their spouses.

Employee Assistance
An Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) is provided by the City to assist you and family members, providing counseling and treatment in such areas as stress, drug and alcohol abuse and family counseling.

Other Benefits Offered

• Flexible Spending Plan (Pre-Tax Deduction for Medical/Dental and Day Care)
• Aflac Supplemental Insurance
• Tuition Assistance
• Bereavement Leave
• Overtime
• Direct Deposit (paydays are 5th and 20th of the month)

Closing Date/Time: 7/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$72,516.00 - $96,684.00 Annually