Communications Analyst

Candidates interested in this role should submit two (2) communications samples. One sample should be a project that demonstrates their skills in short-form writing for digital communications/promotional materials, such as a program flyer or brochure for a community program or initiative. One sample should be a writing sample demonstrating their skills in public communications, such as a newsletter, article, or talking points.

We are seeking an innovative and community-oriented Communications Analyst for the Department of Equity & Inclusion  The Communications Analyst will play a pivotal role in enhancing the department’s community engagement and outreach efforts. This role will work cross-departmentally to gather information, research, and develop communication materials to promote and market departmental initiatives, internally and externally. The Communications Analyst works closely with the organization’s Communications Department, and reports to the department’s Business Services & Operations Manager, to ensure communications efforts and materials are in alignment with the departmental purpose, vision, and business planning efforts. This role is responsible for ensuring and enhancing the department’s visibility and a clearly defining the department’s purpose, vision, goals, and services to the community.

About You:
The successful Communications Analyst will merge their passion for community and social impact with their skills in effective and innovative communication to support the Department of Equity & Inclusion in executing their business plan. This analyst is skilled at managing multiple projects, meeting deadlines, and collaborating with partners, stakeholders, and community members to effectively showcase the vision of the department. The successful Communications Analyst will bring an equity-centered approach to their communications projects ensuring that all community members, staff, and stakeholders are able to fully engage with the Department.

About Us:
The Department of Equity & Inclusion is committed to building and expanding community partnerships and organizational success by enhancing relationships, services, and programs that address the needs of the community to further a sense of belonging and safety for all.

The Department of Equity & Inclusion is one of few departments that serves internal staff and external community members. DEI oversees strategy, programming, and learning related to community well-being, social impact, belonging, and economic prosperity.  Through our Business Engagement & Opportunities, Community Relations, and Training & Development program areas we ensure that all City staff, community partners, and stakeholders are equipped to tackle social inequalities and engage with communities holistically. Through education/awareness, community partnerships, policy development, assessment, and action planning, DEI works to ensure that all community members are able to cultivate a strong sense of belonging and identify opportunities for transformative collective change.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Departmental Promotion & Marketing
  • Writes and edits copy for publications, flyers, brochures, and other marketing/promotional material for departmental events and community outreach
  • Prepares and gathers content for digital and print production, including photographs, quotes, graphics, etc.
  • Coordinates the production of print materials and promotional items ensuring all material aligns with the City’s brand
• Communications Planning
  • Performs research, gathers and evaluates data and information for communication planning and delivery;
  • Monitors and recommends communication opportunities and technologies that align with departmental business plans, goals, and strategies
  • Serves as a department liaison and provides communications support and guidance to various department programs (Community Relations, Business Engagement & Opportunities, Training & Development), including writing articles, editing content, and liaising with City Communications
  • Provides website support focusing on accessible content, community outreach, audience targeting and engagement
  • Plans, creates, monitors and regularly update web content and campaign communications to align with current department happenings
  • Works with social media manager to share communications across several social platforms
• Community Liaison
  • Manage departmental inbox and outreach providing appropriate and timely response to information request, inquiries, or concerns, including triage to appropriate staff
  • Participates in meetings and events to assist with event photography and documentation and post-event publications
  • Prepares and coordinates content for departmental announcements, newsletters, and presentations
  • Assist with assigned projects for Boards, Committees, and Commissions within the department to ensure alignment with departmental projects and objectives
• Administrative & Executive Support
  • Assist with the management of internal communication platforms and tools to efficiently document departmental events, engagement, and learning opportunities for City Staff.
  • Assist Executive leadership with the development and editing of speaking points for presentations to community members, City Council, and/or City Manager’s Office
• Other
  • Support flagship departmental programs and initiatives, as needed

Maintain a commitment to advancing the work, mission, and vision of the Department of Economic & Social Advancement within the City of Raleigh. This position will be expected to remain up to date on the issues and trends that impact the community and associated implications for local government.  

Typical Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's Degree in public relations, communications, public affairs or directly related field and two years of public communications experience

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.
 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with community engagement, programming, and outreach
• Experience supporting, promoting, or reporting on equity-related programs and outreach initiatives
• Demonstrated experience of application of equity, inclusion, and belonging concepts and frameworks, including language and web accessibility
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience with executive level communication
• Advanced/expert-level experience with MS Office Suite
• Advanced/expert-level experience with design and digital marketing tools
• Experience in project management and execution

Additional Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles, frameworks, and practices
• Exceptional analysis, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Practices, concepts and methods of graphic design and print production
• Practices and guidelines of news writing and editing
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis
• Best practices, trends and emerging technologies
• Customer service principles
• Planning, preparing, designing and editing digital and print communications materials
• Coordinating deadlines and prioritizing competing demands
• Creating and preparing original articles, newsletters, memos, flyers, and presentations
• Organizing and maintaining records and files
• Providing customer service
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others

ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically requires fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work:
Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Working Conditions:
Work is routinely performed in an indoor, office environment.

Note:
This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.