Communications Specialist

Job Summary:

The Communications Specialist focuses on creating content and marketing strategy that strengthens our presence in the community, builds awareness of our brand, and inspires people to interact with and support their forest preserves. Primary role is writing, managing and designing content, promotional materials and campaigns that support our nature and history education programs, preserves and trails, and special facilities. Primary duties include media and community relations, advertising and public information campaigns, and developing content for a variety of electronic and print communication channels, including social media, websites, blogs, videos, newsletters and other publications.

Essential Functions:

• Implements and oversees a variety of public affairs and marketing initiatives, including social media channels, advertising, mapping and location sites, mobile websites and apps, search engine optimization, email marketing, and other digital and print communication activities. 
• Researches and implements new media technologies and processes, and explores opportunities and tools for interactive public feedback. 
• Develops and recommends communication, marketing and advertising strategies, creates design and content, and produces a variety of promotional materials for facilities, master plan projects, exhibits, campaigns, educational and recreational programs, and preserves and trails. 
• Handles various aspects of media relations and general communications, including fielding media calls, pitching story ideas, handling crisis communications, writing features, news releases, and photo opportunities, coordinating media tours or press conferences, and preparing award applications, letters, speeches, videos, and audio-visual presentations. 
• Promotes department activities, public safety, nature and history education programs, special events, new and existing preserves, trails and special facilities, and implements public information campaigns using websites, email marketing, advertising, and various other traditional and digital marketing tools. 
• Handles purchasing process and facilitates related vendor contract negotiations. 
• Performs lifting tasks up to 25 pounds. 
• Drives a motorized vehicle to travel to different locations. 
• Performs tasks that will require walking, bending, stooping, standing, kneeling, climbing, reaching and sitting.

Essential Functions & Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree in communications, public relations, marketing, advertising, graphic and web design, digital arts, or a related field. 
• Two years of writing, graphic design, media relations, social media, e-marketing, or website content management and design. 
• Familiarity with a variety of marketing, public relations, and website concepts, best practices, and procedures. 
• Experience working with multiple marketing channels. 
• Advanced skills in writing, editing, graphic design, word processing software; knowledge of social networks, current, innovative and emerging industry trends; and analytics tools and tactics. 
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail in writing, proofreading, digital files, and in use of content management systems. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to make presentations for staff, media outlets, and community groups. 
• Knowledge in the use of audiovisual and photography equipment. 
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Rate of Pay: $21.58 - $32.43