Communications and Engagement Manager
Apply NowCompany: City of Grand Junction, CO
Location: Grand Junction, CO 81504
Description:
Salary: $8,398.00 - $9,451.87 Monthly
Location : Grand Junction, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 202501678
Department: Communications and Engagement
Division: Communications and Engagement
Opening Date: 02/21/2025
Closing Date: 3/21/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
Description
COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
HIRING RANGE - $8,398 - $9,452 Monthly
New to the City of Grand Junction? Receive 40 Hours PTO upon hire!
About the Position:
The City of Grand Junction is seeking a dynamic communicator to join our Team as its Communications and Engagement Manager. The Communications Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating activities that support the City's communications plan and community engagement strategies. This role includes developing effective messaging, disseminating information on City policies and initiatives, and managing media interactions. Additionally, the Communications Manager plans special events, facilitates public relations efforts, and collaborates with City departments and external agencies to enhance community engagement. Serving as a key advisor to the City Manager, this role ensures clear, strategic, and impactful communication with the public. The new Communications and Engagement Manager will work with all departments to uphold and foster our culture of continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exceptional customer service.
What We Offer:
We know that a healthy and happy workforce is a thriving workforce, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports quality work-life balance including 32 days of paid annual leave, health insurance options, employer-matched retirement, a City employee health clinic, wellness program, and an Employee Assistance Program. Of equal importance, we offer an opportunity to serve the community you love and live in. Our employees find their work rewarding and fulfilling, knowing that their day job makes a positive impact.
About the Communications and Engagement Division:
The Communications & Engagement Division (C & E) develops strategies, offers guidance to City departments/divisions for the implementation of communication plans, and communicates with internal and external customers regarding City initiatives, plan development, special events, and emergency notifications.
Our Culture:At the City of Grand Junction, we lead the way with continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exemplary service. Our core values are demonstrated by our willingness to challenge the status quo, ability to work together using all areas of expertise to achieve a common goal, and commitment to fulfilling the needs of our community through thoughtful interactions. We are searching for professionals who share our values to join our organization.
Duties
What You'll Do:
To review the complete job description, please click
Qualifications
What We're Looking For:
Notice to Applicants:
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, we kindly request that you do not include the dates of your education to include years of attendance or graduation on your application, resume or attachments.
Supplemental Information
City of Grand Junction Employee Childcare Facility:
We know finding a quality childcare provider can be challenging, that's why the City of Grand Junction is proud to offer its employees affordable childcare through the City of Grand Junction Childcare Facility (GJCCF). GJCCF offers childcare for children ages 6 weeks (infants) to 6 years of age (preschool). With flexible scheduling and highly trained Early Childhood Education professionals, know that your little one will be in good hands while you support your community.
Explore the Area:
Grand Junction, Colorado is the gateway to the mountains and canyonlands of western Colorado and eastern Utah. Centrally located between Denver, CO (250 miles east) and Salt Lake City, UT (270 miles west), Grand Junction is surrounded by 1.2 million acres of public land. Residents enjoy world-class whitewater rafting on the Colorado and Green Rivers, golfing, fishing, skiing, and snowboarding, and exploring mountain bike and hiking trails through the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa National Forest. Grand Junction has a robust downtown and hosts multiple arts, music, food, and market events annually. With a population of over 150,000 in Mesa County (65,000 within the City limits), we have many of the big town amenities without the big town stresses such as traffic and trail congestion. With an average of 245 days of sunshine, Grand Junction is the perfect place to work and play.
Learn more about on Visit Grand Junction's and !
At the City of Grand Junction, we proudly operate as an Equal Opportunity Employer, purposely building an inclusive workforce representative of various cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We believe in respect for all and do not discriminate based on hair, race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
If you have any questions or need assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources office at 970.244.1512.
Employees of the City of Grand Junction receive compensation in a number of ways for the work they do. In addition to their paychecks, these benefit programs represent a significant contribution toward their total compensation package.
Health Insurance: Employees may choose between two medical insurance plans offered through Cigna. Coverage can help pay doctor and hospital bills and can include employee, spouse, and dependent children.
Dental Insurance: Coverage is offered through Delta Dental to help with dental and orthodontic needs.
Vision Insurance: Voluntary coverage is available through VSP to help with glasses, contacts or other vision needs.
Cigna MDLIVE Virtual Care: Members can access doctors and licensed counselors and psychiatrists for minor medical and behavior/mental health virtually.
City of Grand Junction Employee Childcare Facility:We know finding a quality childcare provider can be challenging, that's why the City of Grand Junction is proud to offer its employees affordable childcare through the City of Grand Junction Childcare Facility (GJCCF). GJCCF offers childcare for children ages 6 weeks (infants) to 6 years of age (preschool). With flexible scheduling and highly trained Early Childhood Education professionals, know that your little one will be in good hands while you support your community.
Pre-Tax Premiums: This advantage allows employees to pay medical, dental and vision premiums with pre-tax dollars.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Allows employees to pay for health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Health Savings Account: Employees enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan will receive up to $1,500 per year from the City deposited in their HSA.
Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid policies provide security for you and your family. Additional voluntary plans are available to supplement City-paid plans for employees and their spouses and dependents.
Disability Coverage: Provides short-term and long-term income replacement when you cannot work.
Retirement Programs: Mandatory pre-tax employee contributions of 6% are matched by the City to provide income during retirement years. Employees may also contribute additional money to a deferred compensation 457(b) plan. The City will match employee contributions of 2% or greater at 1%. In addition, employees may contribute additional after-tax dollar to a Roth IRA account. These additional voluntary retirement plans are available as another way to save for retirement.
Paid Time Off: Employees accrue general leave to be used for vacations, illness, and paid holidays. New employees start employment with 40 hours of PTO and there is no waiting period to use PTO. The accrual rate starts at 32 days per year and increases with every additional 5 years of service up to 20.
Paid Holidays: The following holidays are observed by the majority of City Offices:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President's Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Day
Employee Assistance Program: Confidential, short-term counseling and referral system for employees and their eligible family members. Among other topics, EAP offers legal, financial and work/life advice and counseling.
Parks & Recreation Benefits: Employees are eligible for Golf and Aquatics discounted passes. The Golf pass is $35 per year and allows employees (immediate family are not eligible) to play golf rounds at Tiara Rado and Lincoln Park for a reduced green fee. The Aquatics Pass is $25 per employee and/or immediate family members living in the same household and allow unlimited use of Lincoln- Park-Moyer Pool and Orchard Mesa Pool.
Grand Junction Federal Credit Union: Offers checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, etc.
Health Club: Discounted health club membership through our Active & Fit Program, for employees on our Cigna plan. In addition, Crossroads Fitness Center and Mesa Fitness offer discounted corporate club rates.
An Award-Winning Wellness Incentive Program: A program developed by the Wellness Committee to incentivize financial, physical, and mental health, an opportunity to earn savings on health insurance premiums, departmental wellness challenges and more!
Employee Health Clinic: Provides access to adult and pediatric acute, chronic, preventative and sick care, health and behavior coaching, biometric screenings and much more! The employee health center is available to all employees and dependents (aged 2+) insured on a City health plan at little or no cost.
Voluntary Benefits: Other voluntary benefits available to employees include Accident & Critical Illness Insurance, Identity Theft, Universal Life with Long Term Care, Pet Insurance, Travel Assistance, employee Discount Marketplace and more!
Location : Grand Junction, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 202501678
Department: Communications and Engagement
Division: Communications and Engagement
Opening Date: 02/21/2025
Closing Date: 3/21/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
Description
COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
HIRING RANGE - $8,398 - $9,452 Monthly
New to the City of Grand Junction? Receive 40 Hours PTO upon hire!
About the Position:
The City of Grand Junction is seeking a dynamic communicator to join our Team as its Communications and Engagement Manager. The Communications Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating activities that support the City's communications plan and community engagement strategies. This role includes developing effective messaging, disseminating information on City policies and initiatives, and managing media interactions. Additionally, the Communications Manager plans special events, facilitates public relations efforts, and collaborates with City departments and external agencies to enhance community engagement. Serving as a key advisor to the City Manager, this role ensures clear, strategic, and impactful communication with the public. The new Communications and Engagement Manager will work with all departments to uphold and foster our culture of continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exceptional customer service.
What We Offer:
We know that a healthy and happy workforce is a thriving workforce, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports quality work-life balance including 32 days of paid annual leave, health insurance options, employer-matched retirement, a City employee health clinic, wellness program, and an Employee Assistance Program. Of equal importance, we offer an opportunity to serve the community you love and live in. Our employees find their work rewarding and fulfilling, knowing that their day job makes a positive impact.
About the Communications and Engagement Division:
The Communications & Engagement Division (C & E) develops strategies, offers guidance to City departments/divisions for the implementation of communication plans, and communicates with internal and external customers regarding City initiatives, plan development, special events, and emergency notifications.
Our Culture:At the City of Grand Junction, we lead the way with continuous improvement, collaborative partnerships, and exemplary service. Our core values are demonstrated by our willingness to challenge the status quo, ability to work together using all areas of expertise to achieve a common goal, and commitment to fulfilling the needs of our community through thoughtful interactions. We are searching for professionals who share our values to join our organization.
Duties
What You'll Do:
- Plan, prioritize, assign, supervise, and review the work of three dedicated staff members.
- Manage and participate in the development and implementation of public engagement and communication initiatives, policies, and procedures in support of the City's Strategic Plan.
- Coordinate accurate, timely, and accessible public information to promote a positive City image and public perception, communicate local government issues, and maintain public awareness of City programs and services.
- Develop and oversee community engagement programing.
- Manage media relations to include writing and disseminating press releases, coordinating interviews for key leadership and the Mayor/City Manager, addressing key issues with local editorial boards, pitching story ideas to local reporters, writing articles for submission, preparing spokespersons and conducting media training.
- Coordinate, author, edit, and publish the City Calendar and Annual Report, staff newsletter City Lights, special event scripts and presentations for the City Manager and Mayor.
- Oversee and manage the design and content of the City's websites and social media; collaborate with department staff to actively monitor, interact, and respond to internal and external interactions on the City's websites and social media; implement staff policies related to communications.
- Manage outreach to and engagement with our underserved community including non-English speaking community members.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
To review the complete job description, please click
Qualifications
What We're Looking For:
- Five (5) years of increasingly responsible media relations, public relations or journalism experience including three years of supervisory responsibility.
- Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public relations, communications, journalism, public administration or a related field.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver's License.
Notice to Applicants:
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, we kindly request that you do not include the dates of your education to include years of attendance or graduation on your application, resume or attachments.
Supplemental Information
City of Grand Junction Employee Childcare Facility:
We know finding a quality childcare provider can be challenging, that's why the City of Grand Junction is proud to offer its employees affordable childcare through the City of Grand Junction Childcare Facility (GJCCF). GJCCF offers childcare for children ages 6 weeks (infants) to 6 years of age (preschool). With flexible scheduling and highly trained Early Childhood Education professionals, know that your little one will be in good hands while you support your community.
Explore the Area:
Grand Junction, Colorado is the gateway to the mountains and canyonlands of western Colorado and eastern Utah. Centrally located between Denver, CO (250 miles east) and Salt Lake City, UT (270 miles west), Grand Junction is surrounded by 1.2 million acres of public land. Residents enjoy world-class whitewater rafting on the Colorado and Green Rivers, golfing, fishing, skiing, and snowboarding, and exploring mountain bike and hiking trails through the Colorado National Monument and the Grand Mesa National Forest. Grand Junction has a robust downtown and hosts multiple arts, music, food, and market events annually. With a population of over 150,000 in Mesa County (65,000 within the City limits), we have many of the big town amenities without the big town stresses such as traffic and trail congestion. With an average of 245 days of sunshine, Grand Junction is the perfect place to work and play.
Learn more about on Visit Grand Junction's and !
At the City of Grand Junction, we proudly operate as an Equal Opportunity Employer, purposely building an inclusive workforce representative of various cultures, perspectives, and experiences. We believe in respect for all and do not discriminate based on hair, race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
If you have any questions or need assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources office at 970.244.1512.
Employees of the City of Grand Junction receive compensation in a number of ways for the work they do. In addition to their paychecks, these benefit programs represent a significant contribution toward their total compensation package.
Health Insurance: Employees may choose between two medical insurance plans offered through Cigna. Coverage can help pay doctor and hospital bills and can include employee, spouse, and dependent children.
Dental Insurance: Coverage is offered through Delta Dental to help with dental and orthodontic needs.
Vision Insurance: Voluntary coverage is available through VSP to help with glasses, contacts or other vision needs.
Cigna MDLIVE Virtual Care: Members can access doctors and licensed counselors and psychiatrists for minor medical and behavior/mental health virtually.
City of Grand Junction Employee Childcare Facility:We know finding a quality childcare provider can be challenging, that's why the City of Grand Junction is proud to offer its employees affordable childcare through the City of Grand Junction Childcare Facility (GJCCF). GJCCF offers childcare for children ages 6 weeks (infants) to 6 years of age (preschool). With flexible scheduling and highly trained Early Childhood Education professionals, know that your little one will be in good hands while you support your community.
Pre-Tax Premiums: This advantage allows employees to pay medical, dental and vision premiums with pre-tax dollars.
Flexible Spending Accounts: Allows employees to pay for health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
Health Savings Account: Employees enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan will receive up to $1,500 per year from the City deposited in their HSA.
Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid policies provide security for you and your family. Additional voluntary plans are available to supplement City-paid plans for employees and their spouses and dependents.
Disability Coverage: Provides short-term and long-term income replacement when you cannot work.
Retirement Programs: Mandatory pre-tax employee contributions of 6% are matched by the City to provide income during retirement years. Employees may also contribute additional money to a deferred compensation 457(b) plan. The City will match employee contributions of 2% or greater at 1%. In addition, employees may contribute additional after-tax dollar to a Roth IRA account. These additional voluntary retirement plans are available as another way to save for retirement.
Paid Time Off: Employees accrue general leave to be used for vacations, illness, and paid holidays. New employees start employment with 40 hours of PTO and there is no waiting period to use PTO. The accrual rate starts at 32 days per year and increases with every additional 5 years of service up to 20.
Paid Holidays: The following holidays are observed by the majority of City Offices:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President's Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day After Thanksgiving
Christmas Day
Employee Assistance Program: Confidential, short-term counseling and referral system for employees and their eligible family members. Among other topics, EAP offers legal, financial and work/life advice and counseling.
Parks & Recreation Benefits: Employees are eligible for Golf and Aquatics discounted passes. The Golf pass is $35 per year and allows employees (immediate family are not eligible) to play golf rounds at Tiara Rado and Lincoln Park for a reduced green fee. The Aquatics Pass is $25 per employee and/or immediate family members living in the same household and allow unlimited use of Lincoln- Park-Moyer Pool and Orchard Mesa Pool.
Grand Junction Federal Credit Union: Offers checking and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, etc.
Health Club: Discounted health club membership through our Active & Fit Program, for employees on our Cigna plan. In addition, Crossroads Fitness Center and Mesa Fitness offer discounted corporate club rates.
An Award-Winning Wellness Incentive Program: A program developed by the Wellness Committee to incentivize financial, physical, and mental health, an opportunity to earn savings on health insurance premiums, departmental wellness challenges and more!
Employee Health Clinic: Provides access to adult and pediatric acute, chronic, preventative and sick care, health and behavior coaching, biometric screenings and much more! The employee health center is available to all employees and dependents (aged 2+) insured on a City health plan at little or no cost.
Voluntary Benefits: Other voluntary benefits available to employees include Accident & Critical Illness Insurance, Identity Theft, Universal Life with Long Term Care, Pet Insurance, Travel Assistance, employee Discount Marketplace and more!