Communication Director

Communication Director

Salary

$90,001.60 - $115,731.20 Annually

Location

City Hall, 730 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202600073

Department

Customer Service

Division

City Clerk/Treasurer

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

8/24/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

POSITION PURPOSE:

The Communications Director holds a leadership position within the Department of Customer Service and reports directly to the Director of Customer Service/City Clerk. The position serves as the City's Chief Spokesperson and Public Information Officer (PIO) and is responsible for directing the dissemination of comprehensive, accurate, and timely public information and messaging on a wide variety of City issues and initiatives.

The Communications Director oversees the City's day-to-day messaging and communications, leads emergency and crisis communications, and ensures consistency with established City brand standards. The position works collaboratively with the Mayor, City Administrator, Director of Customer Service/City Clerk, department directors, and other City leadership to coordinate communications, respond to information requests, and support effective communication regarding City operations, programs, services, and Common Council matters.

The position is responsible for developing and implementing an equity-driven, citywide communications strategy that leverages traditional media, digital and social media platforms, community engagement, and other communication channels to effectively inform and engage residents and stakeholders.

Essential Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Develop and implement high-impact, citywide communications strategies that ensure the accuracy, clarity, consistency, and accessibility of information related to City of Racine operations, programs, services, initiatives, concerns, issues, and interests.
• Lead proactive and responsive media relations efforts, fostering positive and constructive relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets while coordinating messaging with the Director of Customer Service/City Clerk and appropriate City leadership.
• Plan, coordinate, and lead media events, press conferences, public announcements, and other communications initiatives in collaboration with the Mayor, City Administrator, Director of Customer Service/City Clerk, City departments, and divisions to effectively showcase City initiatives, programs, services, and accomplishments.
• Establish and maintain a robust network of local, regional, and national media contacts and proactively leverage these relationships to promote accurate and positive coverage of City operations, programs, services, and initiatives.
• Develop key messages, talking points, and communication strategies for high-profile, sensitive, or rapidly developing issues, including natural disasters, public safety emergencies, crisis situations, and other matters requiring coordinated City communications.
• Serve as a communications resource to the Mayor, City Administrator, department directors, and other City leadership while maintaining appropriate coordination and reporting through the Director of Customer Service/City Clerk.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of Customer Service/City Clerk and as necessary to support the communications needs and priorities of the City of Racine.
• Work has no significant exposure to adverse environmental conditions and is generally performed in a moderately noisy office environment (e.g., business office or light traffic).

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Present sensitive and/or complex issues, both orally and in writing, to large diverse groups in a relatable and easy-to-understand fashion
• Write clear, concise, effective, professional, and grammatically and factually accurate content
• Make sound decisions and communicate effectively with the members of the press and public with little advance notice
• Work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences while exhibiting patience, empathy, and professionalism
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships, work in an open and approachable manner with elected and appointed officials, media, members of the public, and city staff at all levels
• Manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, often under tight deadlines and in a changing, complex environment; demonstrate strong organizational and management skills
• Research, analyze, and present background information on a wide variety of assigned projects, programs, and topics, relative to issues pending before the city council
• Achieve desired results in the midst of changing deadlines, project requirements, or project needs
• Maintain strict confidentiality
• Display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all levels of city employees, the general public, and other organizations
• Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance
• Complete assignments in a timely fashion

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrated expertise with a minimum of five years of progressive experience in Communications/media relations, legislative or policy research, or public relations.
• Valid Driver's license at time of hire and throughout employment and availability of a properly insured vehicle for use on the job.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE POSITION:

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing and using hands to finger, handle or feel and occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken words levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities.

City Employee Benefits - 2026

• Health Insurance

• 92.5% of the Premium is paid by the City of Racine - either single or family.

• Centivo administers the PPO Plans that are offered. You can chose from two high-deductible health plans and one low-deductible health plan, with two different networks offered.

• CVS Caremark administers our prescription plan

• Payment of $50 per month to employees who waive health coverage

• Health Savings Account (H.S.A.)

• A Health Savings Account (H.S.A.) is a tax beneficial savings account that can be used in conjunction with a qualified High - Deductible Health Plan. The funds put into an H.S.A. may be used on future, eligible health care expenses without any taxation. The City makes a prorated, one-time contribution to an employee's Health Savings Account, with the amount of the contribution determined at the time of hire.

• The maximum contribution amounts are determined by the IRS each year.

• Racine Employee Health & Wellness Center

• The Employee Health and Wellness Center run by Ascension Wisconsin is available to you and your dependent(s) if enrolled in the medical insurance

• It provides comprehensive services including clinic visits, health coaching, and preventative exams and health screenings.

• Life Insurance

• City provides one unit equal to your annual earnings

• Employee may buy additional insurance - each unit is equal to your annual earnings.

• Maximum additional life insurance is four units; For a total of five (5) units at the maximum coverage.

• Cost depends on age and annual salary

• Spouse and Dependent Life Insurance is available - maximum coverage is $20,000 for spouse and $10,000 for dependents, cost is $3.20 per month or half for $1.60/month

• Pension

• Wisconsin Retirement System, the contribution rate for 2026 is 14.4% Funded 50% by the City of Racine and 50% by the employee.

• Rates can change per year depending upon what is approved through WRS.

• Vacation

• Less than 4 years of continuous service - 96 hours

• At least 4 years but less than 9 years of continuous service - 136

• At least 9 years but less than 14 years of continuous service - 176

• At least 14 years but less than 21 years of continuous service - 216

• At least 21 years of continuous service - 256

• You may carry over up to 80 hours into the next year.

• During the first calendar year of employment, new employees shall earn vacation on a prorated basis based on the new employee's start date.

• Holidays

• 13 paid holidays, 12 scheduled and 1 floating

• Sick Leave

• Accrues at the rate of 1 day per full month worked.

• Casual Days

• You can earn up to 4 casual days based off the amount of sick time that you have accrued.

• You are also eligible for an additional casual day if you use 16 hours or less of sick time in the preceding year.

• Dental Insurance

• MetLife administers our dental plan with two options available to employees (Basic plan or Advanced plan). Employees pay the premium with a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• The City of Racine pays for the Basic Employee premium if you are enrolled in the medical insurance.

• Vision Insurance

• Superior Vision administers our vision plan with one option. Employees pay the premium with a pre-tax payroll deduction.

• Flexible Spending Plans

• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts administered by Health Equity.

• The maximum contributions are determined by the IRS each year.

• Short Term Disability Policy

• Automatically enrolled in a short-term disability insurance policy through MetLife, excludes Water and Wastewater Utility Employees.

• 70% of annual income, up to 13 weeks with a maximum benefit of $2,000 weekly.

• Employee Assistance Program

• The City of Racine offers an employee assistance program through Advocate Aurora.

• Parental Leave

• 320 hours of paid parental leave, if eligible for FMLA. Water and Wastewater Utility employees are eligible for 80 hours.

• Deferred Compensation

• Provided through Nationwide, Security Benefit (RPA/The Standard) or Wisconsin Deferred Comp.

• Supplemental Insurance

• Provided through AFLAC Funded by payroll deduction

• Accident, Hospital & Cancer policies are available

• Tuition Reimbursement

• $4,000 per year, or 80% of the employees total tuition cost, whichever is lower.

• Student Loan Repayment Program

• The Student Loan Repayment Program, administered by Bakertilly Vantagen, helps assist you with the financial burden of the education that you have received. Non City of Racine residents can receive up to $1,200 per year towards student loan repayments, and City of Racine residents can receive up to $2,400 per year towards student loan repayments.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

• The PSLF Program promotes full-time public sector employment. Public Employees, may qualify for public service loan forgiveness after making 120 payments toward their student loans while working full-time in public service. This means that nurses, policeman, firefighters, public health, and government employees can be eligible for participation. The Forgiveness Program was designed uniquely to provide relief to those who are doing the best for our communities every day. To find out if you qualify for a forgiveness program call 866-706-5005.

• Wellness Incentive

• Employees, spouses, and retirees covered by the City health insurance plan who complete the Wellness Incentive requirements are eligible to receive $200, spouses receive $100.

• Fitness Reimbursement

• Employees, spouses, and retirees covered by the City health insurance plan are eligible for 50% reimbursement of their annual membership fee up to a maximum of $200 per household.

• Reimbursement also includes fitness classes and weight reduction programs.

• City of Racine Residency

• City of Racine employees that are non-represented are eligible for a 4% per hour pay differential if you provide proof that you are City of Racine resident.

• City of Racine residency pay differential rates are different for:

• Racine Police Association - 3% differential rate

• Local 321 Firefighter Union - 3% differential rate

• Transit Union - 2% differential rate

• You can receive additional City contribution into your H.S.A. account if you are a City of Racine Resident. Residency contributions are based on what

• Homebuyer Down payment Assistance Program

• The City of Racine Employee Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to help you purchase your dream home in the City of Racine - Submission deadline for applications is August 1st, 2026.

• Racine Financial Empowerment Center

• The Racine Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) provides free one-on-one professional financial counseling for all City of Racine employees, and residents of the City of Racine.

Additional information about the City's comprehensive benefits package can be found on the following website; Active Employees - City of Racine - Human Resources Department

01

This position requires a minimum of a bachelors degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Which describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• None

02

How many years of progressive experience do you have in communications/media relations, legislative or policy research, or public relations?

• None
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5+ years

03

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

04

Have you worked in a public sector position before? If so, where?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Racine

Address 730 Washington Avenue

Room 204

Racine, Wisconsin, 53403

Phone 262-636-9175

Website https://cityofracinewi.gov