Job Description
Join Virginia Beach's dynamic public communications team and shape how our community interacts with essential municipal services. We're seeking a strategic Communications Specialist to elevate our digital presence and citizen engagement initiatives. This role offers the unique opportunity to work directly with city leadership on high-impact projects that improve resident experiences and strengthen transparency in local government.
Our ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments and possesses exceptional storytelling abilities to translate complex policy into accessible messaging. You'll collaborate across departments to develop integrated campaigns, manage digital platforms, and serve as a trusted voice for the City of Virginia Beach.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive digital communication strategies across social media, email, and web platforms
- Create compelling content for city initiatives, public safety alerts, and community events
- Manage crisis communications protocols and coordinate with emergency response teams
- Analyze engagement metrics to optimize content strategy and reporting
- Oversee production of multimedia materials including videos, infographics, and press releases
- Serve as primary media liaison for assigned city departments
- Lead cross-functional projects with IT, Parks & Recreation, and Public Health departments
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Administration, or related field
- 5+ years of experience in government communications or public sector PR
- Advanced proficiency with CMS platforms (e.g., Drupal) and social media analytics tools
- Proven crisis management experience with public sector entities
- Portfolio demonstrating successful multi-channel campaign execution
- Virginia driver's license and ability to work flexible hours including evenings/weekends
- Certification in digital marketing or public relations (e.g., PRSA, IABC) preferred