Communications Director (Council Administrative Assistant - Exe Lev)

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Communications Director (Council Administrative Assistant - Exe Lev)

Salary

$55,000.00 - $65,000.00 Annually

Location

900 Bagby-City Hall Annex

Job Type

Executive Level

Job Number

34049

Department

City Council

Opening Date

05/01/2024

Closing Date

5/31/2024 4:00 PM Central

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

PN#34049: Communications Director (Council Administrative Assistant - Exe Lev)

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Office of Council Member Abbie Kamin, District C

Council Member Abbie Kamin is looking for a dedicated and detail-oriented team member to serve as a Communications Director for the District C Office of Houston City Council. You will have the opportunity to work in a tight-knit office representing many of Houston’s most historic and dynamic neighborhoods. You will also have the opportunity to engage with community leaders, media contacts, and government officials across the District and broader city.

The Role

As Communications Director you will be responsible for management of the Council Member’s communications and messaging, serving as the office’s primary point of contact with local, regional, national, and international media, and proactively outreaching in the community to ensure residents know what’s going on around them. This critical role will ensure residents know how the office is working for them and provide important updates on information around the district. You will serve as key support staff for Council Member Kamin, working to coordinate external work products including newsletters, press releases, social media, and talking points. You will also have the opportunity to staff the Council Member at various events and programs and assist residents in the district.

You will report directly to the District Chief of Staff and Council Member Kamin, while also assisting the Director of Constituent Services and office leadership to address the needs and concerns of District C residents.

The Organization

District C represents over 230,000 constituents in the fourth largest City in the United States. District C is one of, if not the, most active district in terms of city engagement. Neighborhoods include Garden Oaks/Oak Forest, Lazybrook/Timbergrove, the Heights, Washington Avenue Corridor/Memorial Park, Fourth Ward, Neartown/Montrose, University Place, Greenway/Upper Kirby, Meyerland, Braeswood, and Willow Meadows.

Under Council Member Kamin’s leadership, the District C Office has a culture of integrity, accountability, forward thinking, and responsiveness. Council Member Kamin is Chair of the Labor Committee and Vice Chair of the Resilience Committee. She is a strong advocate for climate change, flood mitigation, and neighborhood resiliency; community safety and addressing gun violence; women’s equity; infrastructure improvements; and more.

Key Responsibilities

• Creating and managing external communication products including newsletters, press releases, and social media

• Outreach to media and serving as the primary point of contact for media inquiries

• Crafting talking points for various community events

• Responding to constituent cases and inquiries, as assigned

• Representing the council member at civic club and super neighborhood meetings

• Researching policy, creating briefs, and tracking inquiries

• Staffing Council Member Kamin at various events, meetings, and programs

• All staff answers phones and emails on behalf of the District C office

Working Conditions

Requires work during regular office hours and some nights and weekends to attend neighborhood meetings and special events.

Job Description Disclaimer

The above job summary is intended to serve as a high-level description of the general nature and work to be performed in this role. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The Office of Council Member Abbie Kamin reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Skilled knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation; skilled use of computer applications and search engines; basic knowledge of simple mathematical functions like percentages, ratios, etc. as might normally be acquired through attainment of a high school diploma or a GED.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

One year of administrative experience is required.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None

PREFERENCES

Preferences will be given to those with the following skill sets:

• Bachelor’s or higher degree with communications experience.

• Media relations experience such as pitching stories and vetting media inquiries.

• Experience drafting talking points, memos, or other written work products.

• Knowledge of scheduling and calendar management.

• Familiarity with government operations and procedures.

• Knowledge of current issues and stakeholders in Houston.

• Comfortable with various social media platforms, and experience with crafting messaging materials.

• Highly organized with the ability to manage a high volume of tasks and a dynamic calendar.

• Proactive in promptly identifying and troubleshooting potential issues or hurdles to tasks.

• Working collaboratively with a small but dynamic team to coordinate problem solving in a variety of challenging situations.

• Commitment to public service.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION No

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate’s qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE: 20

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832) 393-6027.

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832) 393-6027. (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE - EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan.

Benefits include:

• Medical

• Dental

• Vision

• Wellness

• Life insurance

• Long-term disability

• Retirement pension

• 457 deferred compensation plan

• Employee Assistance Program

• 10 days of vacation each year

• 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

• Flexible schedules

• Professional development opportunities

• Transportation/parking plan

• Section 125 pretax deductions

• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes

• No

  02

  Which best describes your education?

• High School Diploma

• Associate Degree

• Bachelor's Degree

• Master's Degree or Beyond

• None of the Above

  03

  Which best describes your administrative experience?

• Less than 1 year of experience

• 1 year of experience

• 2 years of experience

• 3 years of experience

• 4 years of experience

• 5 or more years of experience

• I have no administrative experience

  04

  What best describes your experience with social media platforms as it pertains to crafting messaging materials?

• Less than 1 year of experience

• 1 year to less than 2 years of experience

• 2 years to less than 3 years of experience

• 3 years to less than 4 years of experience

• 4 years to less than 5 years of experience

• 5 or more years of experience

• I have no experience with social media platforms as it pertains to crafting messaging materials

  05

  If you have experience with social media platforms as it pertains to crafting messaging materials, please briefly describe your experience.

  06

  What best describes your experience in media relations such as pitching stories and vetting media inquiries?

• Less than 1 year of experience

• 1 year to less than 2 years of experience

• 2 years to less than 3 years of experience

• 3 years to less than 4 years of experience

• 4 years to less than 5 years of experience

• 5 or more years of experience

• I have no experience in media relations such as pitching stories and vetting media inquiries

  07

  Please indicate your level of proficiency in Microsoft Office products (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• BEGINNER: Perform daily word processing tasks in Word, enter correct data, create a database, import data from Excel in Access, format cells, rows and columns in Excel, create a PowerPoint presentation file with a title slide, bullet points and place in slide loop mode; creates a new e-mail message, checking e-mail in Outlook

• INTERMEDIATE: Basic formatting and create a variety of templates, mail merges in Word; create primary key to associate data between multiple tables, create a select query in Access; create, modify, and format charts, use graphic objects to enhance worksheets & charts in Excel; add special affects to presentation (design and animation) in PowerPoint; reply, forward, print and delete an e-mail message in Outlook.

• ADVANCED: Manage table data, sort and filter merges in Word, create a split form and report and back up your databases in Access; use the filter and formula functions to manipulate data in Excel; transition presentation slides, link Excel charts to presentation and add voice in PowerPoint; delete e-mails from the Inbox, Sent Items and Deleted Items folders, Add, edit, move and delete appointments on your calendar.

• EXPERT: Produce table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks in Word, manage Macro commands, and manage database objects in Access, use advance formula functions (Vlookup, IF, IS) manage macro commands, group rows in Excel; publish presentation online, embed objects into presentation in PowerPoint; managing multiple calendars, set rules for incoming mail, create subfolders for mail to be placed in Outlook.

• I have no experience in working with Microsoft Office Products

  08

  Which describe your professional skillset or experience? (Please check all that apply)

• Highly organized with the ability to manage a high volume of scheduling requests and a dynamic calendar

• Proactive in promptly identifying and managing a variety of tasks

• Familiarity with crafting talking points and/or memos

• Working collaboratively with a small but dynamic team to coordinate problem solving in a variety of challenging situations

• Commitment to public service

• Familiarity with City of Houston operations and procedures

• Knowledge of current issues and stakeholders in the District.

• None of the above

  09

  If you answered "yes" to the above question, please describe the project in detail.

  10

  This position will require work during regular office hours as well as up to several evenings weekly and some weekends to attend neighborhood meetings and special events. Are you available to work some nights and weekends?

• Yes

• No

  11

  Do you possess verifiable Communication, Public Relations, or similar field experience?

• Yes

• No

  Required Question