COMMUNICATIONS / MEDIA MANAGER
City of Salina, Kansas
City Manager’s Office
Apply Directly with the City of Salina
Apply: jobs.salina-ks.gov
The Communications/Media Manager plays a vital role in connecting the City of Salina with the people it serves through clear & timely public information. This long-term leadership opportunity helps strengthen community engagement by guiding media relations, digital communications, public awareness campaigns, & outreach on City services, projects, & events. The position makes a meaningful impact on Salina by ensuring residents have accessible information & opportunities to stay informed, involved, & prepared—including during emergencies. With broad collaboration across City departments, local media, & community organizations, this role offers a rewarding chance to translate important municipal initiatives into communications that benefit the entire community. The position combines purposeful public service with a primarily office-based work environment & flexibility to support occasional irregular scheduling needs, promoting a sustainable balance between professional responsibility & personal life.
Duties:
- Serves as principal media contact & spokesperson, supporting transparent & timely public information.
- Develops proactive communications/marketing strategies; coordinates responses to media inquiries & emerging issues; oversees content across web, social media, video, print, & other channels; supports public communications during emergencies & incidents.
- Advises City leadership & departments on communications opportunities, public messaging, & sensitive issues; recommends strategies to bring public attention to & involvement with initiatives.
- Produces educational & informational news content related to City services, functions, & events; prepares & launches a variety of promotional messages & public awareness campaigns in various formats, including press releases, newsletters, professional journals, website content, public presentations, videos, radio shows, mail campaigns, media outlets, & social media venues to assist in educational & branding efforts.
- Organizes press conferences; supports emergency public-information operations, including coordination with emergency management; serves as Public Information Officer.
- Engages & informs citizens by providing timely, accurate, concise & strategic information regarding organizational initiatives, projects, services, & programs; meets with citizens, neighborhood organizations & other groups to answer questions & provide service information.
- Performs continual assessment & use of analytics to evaluate reach, public understanding, & effectiveness; builds collaborative partnerships with local media, agencies, & organizations.
- Reviews organizational webpages & other electronic forms of information to make recommendations regarding form of message, content, timeliness, communication approach & grammar.
- Manages open records requests & approves release of City information in accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act.
- Direct oversight of division staff.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, business, journalism, public relations or related field.
Experience:
- Strong communication skills; demonstrated competency regarding the use of current electronic media & engagement tools, desktop publishing, & graphics software.
- Three (3) years of public relations, marketing or relevant work experience.
- Two (2) years of supervisory experience preferred.
Requirements:
- Possession of a valid Kansas driver’s license required.
Work Type:
- Light, exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
- Works inside with limited work outside.
Equipment:
- Calculator, computer, copy machine, fax machine, printer, scanner, tablet, telephone, & video camera.
Hours:
- Monday – Friday.
- 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Attends meetings outside of normal office hours.
Compensation DOQ:
- Full pay range: $56,099-89,760/yr.
- Starting pay range: $56,099-58,926/yr.
Paid Time Off:
- 60 hours of vacation available upon hire; additional 60 hours earned during the year (120 hours in first year).
- 96 hours of sick leave during first year.
Application Deadline:
- Until filled
Apply Directly with the City of Salina
Apply: jobs.salina-ks.gov
Important: Uploading a resume or profile through this platform does not complete your application. You must complete an application for employment directly with the City of Salina to be considered.
Contact Information:
City of Salina
Human Resources Department
Office: 785-833-8018
Email: human.resources@salina.org
Website: salina-ks.gov
The City of Salina is an Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace.