Media and Engagement Specialist

MEDIA & ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

At Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation we seek to create legendary experiences for our residents through everything we do, and now we need an experienced communicator to find, produce and share the legendary stories from our growing parks & recreation system. If you love creating inspiring and engaging video content, working with the media, and writing articles, then you’ll love this flexible role that can impact every resident in the City of Virginia Beach.

As the Media and Engagement Specialist you will work with the city’s Central Communications department to respond to incoming media queries, draft press releases and develop story ideas for the media. You’ll also oversee video content development for our social media channels, respond to incoming queries on social media and work to improve communication with our external partners and community groups.

This role will also help expand our internal communications to help keep all parks & rec team members informed and engaged.

We’re seeking someone who can bring creative ideas and production skills, manage projects from creation to completion and has experience with working with government communications. This position works collaboratively within our marketing department, Creative HQ, to develop, manage and optimize brand experiences, marketing and communications for Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation.

Key Accountabilities:

Media management:

Act as a liaison with Central Communications to respond to incoming queries, manage our media library, develop press kits, write press releases, media alerts and pitch local media with story ideas. This includes monitoring press coverage and can include staffing Joint Information Centers for major city events.

Community engagement:

Work to improve communication with our community, non-profit and business partners to share relevant news and updates from the park & recreation department. Develop partnerships with local content creators and influencers to amplify our marketing messaging. Oversee social media messages and responses through Sprout Social and Salesforce.

Content development:

Partner with our digital marketing specialist, graphic designers and brand specialist to develop and produce video content for our social media channels, digital publications and creative marketing campaigns. This includes Creating innovative engagement campaigns to help boost awareness of park projects and initiatives, such as capital improvement projects and public information meetings.

Internal Communications

Work with a diverse range of parks & recreation units to seek out stories from staff members, share timely updates, and create content that helps improve internal communication and advance our goal of creating ‘legendary experiences.

MINIMUMS:
Requires any combination of education (above high school level) and/or experience equivalent to six (6) years in fields such as public relations, communications, marketing, or journalism utilizing the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City's operational status.

This position is being advertised as a pool, and applications will be used to fill current vacancies and other similar Media & Communications II positions that become available within six (6) months from the closing date of this posting.

Some assignments may require overtime or split shifts to cover operational needs.

All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours or maybe be relocated to another location or job assignment in response to short- term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies including weekends, evenings and holidays.

Requires a current and valid Virginia or North Carolina Driver’s license in accordance with Virginia or North Carolina DMV driver’s license eligibility requirements.

As a condition of employment, all full-time employees must attend P&R Connection (Department Orientation). If selected for the position, you will be provided your training date at the time of hire. Training is held from 8:30am-5:00pm, every other Friday, at the Parks & Recreation Administration Building. When an exemption is permittable, a hybrid version of the training is available, but will require training attendance on a weekend.