The City of Basehor is hiring for a Communications Specialist. Basehor is a growing city in the southeast corner of Leavenworth County and is uniquely positioned with great accessibility to the Greater Kansas City Metro Area. Basehor is the 2^nd fastest growing city in Kansas with a population of 5,000 or more. The population in Basehor is 6,896 residents and has increased in population by 48.9% in the last 10 years. Basehor is also the 2^nd safest city in Kansas.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for developing communications and assisting in the coordination of the City’s public relations and marketing activities including print and social media and assisting in establishing and maintaining a consistent message for the City of Basehor. This employee should possess great oral and written communication skills, strong attention to detail and organizational skills. This position will also perform some administrative duties with knowledge of subject matter and department functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Assist in planning, coordinating and executing public relations activities and events for the City to promote a positive image. Strategic thinker with significant knowledge in a variety of marketing communications tactics.

Prepare or edit organizational publications/collateral materials for internal and external audiences, including website and social media communications.

Manage the City’s social media pages (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) including drafting post materials and responding to questions or concerns as appropriate.

Assist with responses to requests for information from the media and citizen inquiries.

Assist with planning and development of informational programs to maintain favorable public perceptions of the City’s accomplishments and agenda.

Build and foster collaborative relationships with representatives of the community, employees and other City stakeholders.

Manage the City’s quarterly mailed newsletter, including drafting articles, reviewing proofs, and communicating with vendors.

Arrange community out-reach; public appearances; exhibits, etc. to increase education and awareness and to promote goodwill.

Provide courteous and expeditious customer service to the general public and City staff, initiates and answers telephone calls. Responds to and resolves complaints and requests for information, procedures, and policies, and refers inquiries as appropriate.

Performs some administrative tasks including creating correspondence and reports; files and maintains materials; operates office equipment; processes forms, records and reports; responds to inquiries, complaints and provides information; arranges and sends notifications for meetings; and prepares technical materials as appropriate.

Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.

Other duties as assigned and assist other departments as deemed necessary.

Experience: This position requires a minimum of 1-2 years of communications or public relations experience

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or Similar Field

Technical Skills: The ability and willingness to learn about communications, media relations and municipal government, technology and organization is required.  This employee must be able to efficiently develop communications programs, operate technology and social media, printers, telephone systems, photocopiers, and other office equipment.  The ability to think on your feet, to interpret data, be creative, and to read and interpret written instructions, reports, and other official documents is required.  This employee should possess strong oral and written communication skills, understand marketing strategy, attention to detail, possess organizational and public relations skills.

Thorough knowledge of communications, social media, marketing strategy, modern office practices, procedures and equipment.  Must be able to apply proper spelling, punctuation, and English grammar.  Ability to proofread documents to detect errors in spelling, punctuation and review for completeness and accuracy.  Ability to communicate orally with customers or public using proper telephone etiquette or in a face-to face situation.  Independently compose routine correspondence and write legibly.  Comprehend and make inferences from written material.  Understand and carry out oral and written procedures. 

Problem Solving: Problem solving is a factor in this position.  This employee encounters problems with communications and citizen complaints. Serious problems are reported to the Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director.

Decision Making: Some independent decision making is involved in this position.  This employee makes decisions about developing communications, providing citizen assistance, prioritizing daily work assignments, and performing daily duties in the most efficient manner.

Supervision: This position does not supervise staff, has some autonomy but is subject to supervision from the Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director.

Financial Accountability: This employee has some responsibility for department resources and assists the Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director with some Finance Department needs.

Personal Relations:   Daily contact with the media, general public, co-workers, supervisory personnel, and contact with the governing body is expected.

Working Conditions: No adverse working conditions exist within this position.  Working in an office setting with a computer is the primary aspect of this position.  There is some driving to various events. Occasionally may come in contact with angry citizens.

Physical Requirements: Physical activity associated with working in an office setting is required to perform the daily duties of this position. There is some local travel required. Some manual labor including bending, kneeling, and lifting and carrying heavy boxes may be required occasionally.  The ability to talk, sit, drive and hear are primary components of this position.    

Additional Information: The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all inclusive.  They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to successfully perform the job. 

Salary: The salary range for this position starts at $39,374 with consideration of previous experience and qualifications. The City of Basehor offers a generous benefits package including retirement contributions, Medical, Dental, Vision, and paid time off (PTO). The City of Basehor does not participate in the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) for City staff.

How to Apply: Submit by email to Maddie Waldeck, Assistant City Administrator/Finance Director, at mwaldeck@cityofbasehor.org a City of Basehor employment application. This position will remain open until the position is filled.