Communication Specialist III

Communication Specialist III

County of Weld, CO

Full Salary Range: $73,567.97 - $106,673.55

Anticipated Hiring Range: $73,567.97 - $92,727.00

Why do I see two salary ranges?

The City of Greeley in compliance with Colorado state law, includes a salary range for all positions posted. This law is intended to improve wage transparency. The City of Greeley, in support of wage transparency, posts both the full salary range for each position (what you might anticipate your earnings could be if you work for the City of Greeley for some time), as well as the anticipated hiring range (the range within which the City anticipates making an offer). The actual offer extended will be based on your years of relevant experience, education, certifications and potentially other factors.

City of Greeley's Total Rewards

The City of Greeley is committed to providing a comprehensive total rewards program that supports employees in their work by encouraging excellence and investing in employee development and recognition. This philosophy is grounded in fiscal responsibility, organizational effectiveness, and employee safety and well-being, ensuring the responsible stewardship of public resources while offering meaningful and comparable rewards. This approach ensures that the city remains an attractive, inclusive, and rewarding work environment, while also effectively serving the community.

Benefits: This position is benefits eligible. Please view our benefits guide here.

Job Summary:

This position plays a key role in advancing the City's communication, outreach, engagement, and public information efforts for citywide priority initiatives, as well as Public Works, Transportation, and ongoing development projects.

Serving as a strategic communications lead and liaison for large-scale, highly visible projects, this position partners with City leadership, project managers, engineers, consultants, and department staff to ensure timely, accurate, and effective communication with residents, stakeholders, and the media. The role is responsible for developing and executing communication and engagement strategies that keep projects moving forward and keep the public, media, and organization informed throughout the life of a project.

This position requires strong project management skills, initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to independently move work forward in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities, changing timelines, and competing demands. The Communication Specialist III must be able to assess situations, identify communication needs, make informed decisions, resolve challenges, and adjust strategies to maintain momentum, support project success, and build public understanding and trust.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree gained through a four-year college/university academic program or specialized technical training of equivalent length in the field of Communication and Engagement or a related field.
• No less than five (5) to seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience involving 21st-century communication practices (i.e., marketing, communications, media relations, public engagement, brand management, or related fields.).

OR

• Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job,

AND

• Possession of a valid driver's license.

Preferred:

• Experience with media monitoring software such as Meltwater or Cision.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred, but not required.
• Proficient in project management to successfully schedule, lead and facilitate communication.
• Familiarity with principles and practices of municipal large-scale projects, Public Works,Public Works and Transportation projects.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of current social media applications and online platforms for communication and engagement.
• Skills in media relations including writing press releases, pitching stories, and coordinating interviews.
• Understand and apply effective communication and public relations strategies aligned with industry standards.
• Skilled in operating autonomously and exhibit the ability to draw connections between current situations and long-term impact to determine necessary or proactive action.
• Think strategically, connecting broad organizational goals to specific messages, and communicate complex, technical, or sensitive topics clearly and effectively.
• Create and edit high-quality professional content using AP style and grammar, with an emphasis on accessibility and clarity.
• Conduct thorough research to deepen understanding of departmental objectives, emerging trends, and broader City development goals.
• Practice active listening and seek clarity to ensure communications are relevant and well-informed.
• Capable of setting strategy while also building, maintain and navigating relationships with different internal and external stakeholders across the organization, leadership levels, project teams and collaborating with colleagues.
• Engage comfortably in public settings, including meetings and outreach events, to represent the department and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Be skilled at balancing competing priorities, shifting timelines, and evolving stakeholder needs while maintaining quality and momentum.

Travel:

• Category A-Standard Local Travel: This position requires occasional local travel within the County. Employees may be expected to walk or drive short distances to attend meetings, trainings, or perform work at other city buildings or partner sites.

Essential Functions:

Communication Project Management

• Develop citywide strategic communication plans that support the IAP2 (International Association of Public Participation) model of public participation.
• Partner with department leaders, city engineers, consultants, and project management teams to create communication and engagement strategies that inform, educate, and engage Greeley residents and community members, stakeholders about the state of critical infrastructure, transportation, and development projects.
• Collaborate with, advise, and provide recommendations and communication support to facilitate the planning, execution and resources (including team members and applicable budgets) needed to support public infrastructure and transportation projects, conduct reporting and analysis on project outcomes, and coordinate stakeholder involvement.
• Lead and manage multiple large, cross-functional and cross-departmental projects, overseeing resources, personnel, and timelines to ensure deadlines are met and successful project completion.
• Exercise independent judgment in identifying communication risks, recommending solutions, and making decisions that support project momentum and keep the public informed.
• Proactively identify barriers, gaps, and emerging issues that could delay communication efforts or affect public understanding, and take initiative to resolve them.
• Lead highly visible and complex communication and engagement strategies for projects and initiatives within scope, schedule, and cost.
• Facilitate regular updates for the team and decide on suitable strategies to make recommendations to ensure efficient and effective communications.
• Coordinate with multiple team members to assess capacity, make recommendations, assign resources, and establish timelines for project completion.
• Implement project management principles and systems to enhance efficiencies across teams.
• Resolves conflicts to ensure a productive environment and adjusts schedules and targets on projects as needs and priorities change.
• Exercise independent judgment in identifying communication risks, recommending solutions, and making decisions that support project momentum and keep the public informed.
• Proactively identify barriers, gaps, and emerging issues that could delay communication efforts or affect public understanding, and take initiative to resolve them.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Strategic Communication & Engagement Operational Support

• Work with the digital team to create messaging to build proactive communications, community outreach, and engagement across social media channels and GTV8 as well as create ongoing educational campaigns related to the work of large citywide projects, the Public Works and Transportation departments.
• Work collaboratively with various department staff to support and/or perform face-to-face outreach at special event booths and community forums.
• Coordinate and gather materials for meetings and public events that may include displays and signage.
• Facilitate communication and engagement efforts with media support through strategies related to major citywide initiatives and projects.
• Manage project productions logistics for communication materials, processes including printing needs, ordering promotional items, and collaborating with graphic design, digital, and video teams in the production of materials.
• Assist with photography or videography projects related to communication projects as needed.
• Ensure communications are timely, accessible, audience-appropriate, and align with City standards and project objectives.

Copywriting and Editing

• Write and edit a wide range of communication materials, including news releases, advertising/promotional copy, annual, technical, and program reports, talking points, media pitches, e-newsletters, blog posts, social media content, video scripts, website updates, presentations, and handout materials.
• Translate complex, technical, or sensitive information into clear, accurate, and accessible content for residents, stakeholders, and the media.
• Edit and revise written materials created by City officials and staff to ensure clarity, consistency, accuracy, accessibility, and adherence to AP style and City standards.

Supervisor Duties:

• N/A

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

Work Environment:

• Primarily office-based work with periodic field work at City facilities, community locations, and public events.
• Frequent public contact in person, by phone, email, and virtual platforms.
• Frequent interaction and coordination with City departments, leadership, and external partners.
• Regular participation in meetings, outreach activities, and community forums, sometimes in formal or high-visibility settings.
• Fast-paced environment with frequent interruptions, shifting priorities, and firm deadlines.
• May occasionally address sensitive, adverse, or confrontational situations with internal and external customers or media.
• Marginal to moderate hazards that are typically predictable or well protected against (i.e., going to construction sites to research and take photos or video.
• May be required to work extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays for meetings, events, and time-sensitive communications.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods, including moving between buildings, meeting spaces, and event sites.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person and through phone and virtual platforms, including public speaking and facilitation.
• Ability to use a computer and standard office equipment for extended periods.
• Vision sufficient to read and produce written materials and review digital and print content.
• Ability to lift, carry, and set up event and meeting materials, typically up to 25 pounds.
• May be required to drive a city vehicle and/or personal vehicle for business purposes, including travel within Greeley and adjacent areas, in varying weather conditions.

EOE Statement: The City of Greeley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

ADA Statement: We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting. Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at: HR@Greeleygov.com .

Conditions of Employment: The City of Greeley is an at-will employer. Employees and the City may terminate employment at any time for any reason. Candidates must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings and employment eligibility verification. Pre-employment screenings include a drug test, a background and national sex offender search, a motor vehicle record search, and for some positions, a physical demands evaluation. For more information about City policies and practices during the recruitment process, including but not limited to EOE, Reasonable Accommodation, and pre-employment screenings, please visit our career page HERE.