Communications Strategist Senior

JOB LOCATION

23911 E Arapahoe Rd Aurora, Colorado 80016-4120

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hiring Range: $74,855 - $93,568/annually, based on qualifications exceeding minimum requirements

Full Salary Range: $74,855 -$116,960 annually

Bilingual team members may also qualify for additional compensation.

The deadline to submit applications is Monday, May 12th, 2025. Please note, the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first-come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine a qualified pool of applicants exists, this position may be closed without notice.

In addition to progression, the City of Aurora provides:

• Annual cost of living increases (averaging 3% per year)
• Qualifying team members will receive a high-performance bonus.
• Aurora911 also provides all team members with direct access to psychological services and wellness/resiliency resources, at no cost to the employee.
• Highly competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• On Site Fitness Center, and overall employee well-being programs
• Peer Support and Chaplain program
• Formal Mentoring opportunities
• Free, Secure Parking
• Free electric vehicle (EV) charging

Career Enrichment Opportunities

Aurora911 provides opportunities to participate in a growing variety of specialty assignments, including but not limited to:

Peer Support

Recruitment Team and Career Counseling

Culture Advocacy

Recognition and Team Building

Community Engagement and Education

Tactical Dispatching (TERT) - in development

Continuing Education

The City of Aurora offers a generous tuition reimbursement program for employees, as well as a robust employee learning system which offers a variety of in-person learning and thousands of on demand virtual learning sessions for a wide variety of topics.

Aurora911 also offers continuing education and development for technical and human skills, including leadership development and access to industry-specific certifications through APCO and NENA.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Mission of Aurora911 is to get the Right Resources to the Right Place at the Right Time, for Everyone, Every Time.

Aurora911's Vision: We are igniting a worldwide transformation in public safety communications, fueled by innovation and heartfelt compassion. We will bridge diverse communities and nurture an Aurora where respect is foundational, integrity unites us in mutual trust, and teamwork is our North Star.

Aurora911 is staffed by public safety professionals who are trained to receive and triage 9-1-1 and non-emergency telephone calls, as well as dispatching police, fire, paramedic, and alternative response resources. Our dedicated 9-1-1 professionals gather and analyze critical life-safety information from callers and send the information via computer to police, fire and/or paramedic dispatchers who are responsible for coordinating the response of field responders. The Aurora911 team works in partnership with Aurora Police Department, Aurora Fire Rescue, Falck ambulance, Aurora Mobile Response Team, Information Technology, and other city departments to ensure the safety and quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors in the City of Aurora.

Aurora911 processes 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls from the citizens and visitors in the City of Aurora. Over 600,000 telephone calls for service are received annually, the majority of which result in the dispatch of police, fire, emergency medical responders, and clinicians.

The Communication Strategist Senior plans, organizes, and implements a comprehensive communications strategy for Aurora911 including public information, digital communications (social media and website), publications, public input and engagement, internal communications, and crisis communications, under direction of the Executive Director of Aurora911, and in collaboration with the with Strategic Communications partners in Aurora Fire Rescue, Aurora Police Department, and the city's Communications and Marketing Department.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage public relations programs to raise awareness of the positive work of Aurora911 within the community. Employ a mix of external communications platforms including serving as department spokesperson when needed.
• Serve as a consultant to the Aurora911 executive team by helping prepare talking points, communications plans for specific programs, and writing speeches for executive team members who have public speaking engagements.
• Develop internal communications plans to be delivered to the workforce of Aurora911. These internal communications plans are constantly evaluated and measured for effectiveness.
• Research leading practices, trends and policies for public safety communications and assess how the department can best maintain credibility within the community.
• Establish and maintain a variety of Digital Communications Strategies (social media, website, advertising, community education and engagement, recruiting) on behalf of Aurora911.
• Create and deliver communications and on-camera training to the members of Aurora911 who could be called upon to deliver public information during and outside of regular business hours.
• Collaborate with the Public Safety Strategic Communications Program Manager in the city's Communications and Marketing Department to ensure all external and internal messaging aligns with the city's strategic plans, priorities, and messaging.
• Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes.
• Elevate news media inquiries and other issues that involve multiple subject areas, are controversial, political, of broad public interest, or could damage the reputation, image, and brand of the department and/or city to the Director of Aurora911 and the Public Safety Strategic Communications Program Manager in accordance with established city policy.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be considered.

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Communications, Journalism, or directly related field

Experience:

• At least three years of progressively responsible experience in public relations and communications strategy development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least one year of experience in a public sector environment
• At least one year of experience in media outreach

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid Colorado Driver's License

Knowledge:

• Strategic communication planning, which involves crafting comprehensive communication strategies that align with the organization's objectives, brand identity, and stakeholder expectations.
• Familiarity with media relations and the ability to craft compelling narratives that capture the essence of the organization's message.
• Awareness of digital media trends and the impact of technology on communication strategies
• Digital Media: Understanding of digital media strategies, including SEO, analytics, and content marketing.
• Public Policy: Knowledge of public policy and its impact on strategic communication
• Write reports and workpapers that are clear, concise, organized, and convincing for the intended audience.
• Microsoft Office 365, and all associated applications

Skills:

• Excellent written communication skills, including reporting, conceptual editing, copy editing, and proofreading.

• Media production skills, which encompass create content that is suitable for various media platforms. Communicate information to individuals or groups effectively, consider the audience and nature of the information, make solid oral presentations, listen to others, be aware of nonverbal cues, and respond appropriately.

• Crisis management abilities to handle unexpected issues and maintain the organization's reputation.
• Copywriting: Ability to create engaging and persuasive content across various formats.
• SEO: Skills in search engine optimization to increase online visibility.
• Analytics: Proficiency in using tools like Google Analytics to track and analyze communication campaigns.
• CRM: Familiarity with customer relationship management systems
• Shows respect for the views and contributions of others by showing empathy, listening, supporting, and reconciling conflict.

Abilities:

• Promotion of a positive workplace environment based on open communication, recognition, and modeling the desired, in-bounds behaviors of Aurora911's Foundational Four Team Values.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners while performing the duties of this position.
• Organizational: Excellent organizational and planning skills to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Technical: Technical abilities to understand and utilize modern communication tools and platforms.
• Interpersonal: Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with a variety of stakeholders
• Work independently with limited supervision.
• Build working relationships with department leadership and staff through professionalism, facilitative communications, and constructive responses.
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects.
• Manage time efficiently to meet deadlines while maintaining quality assurance standards.
• Handle sensitive situations and maintain confidentiality.
• The ability to work collaboratively with internal communications groups and stakeholders3.
• A knack for both internal and external relationship-building.
• Identify problems; determine accuracy and relevance of information; use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and make recommendations
• Competence in digital platforms, including analytics and customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
• Maintain positive team relationships by demonstrating and supporting initiative, willingness to learn, flexibility, respect, cooperation, and commitment to the success of Aurora911.

Essential Personnel:

• Members of Aurora911 are considered essential personnel and are subject to call back or extended shifts to ensure continuity of services to the city.

Physical Demands:

• Light physical activity requires lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 10 pounds with or without assistance
• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing
• Sitting for length periods of time
• Clear speech communication to effectively communicate with staff and external stakeholders
• Hearing and listening to maintain communication to perform duties
• Vision to read reports and other written material
• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens

Work Environment:

• Essential duties are performed primarily in a clean, comfortable environment.
• Work may occur in a hybrid of office/home locations, determined by department needs,
• Various noise levels with period of high activity and volume

Equipment Used:

• Computer and other standard office equipment, which includes multiple monitors
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.