Communications Specialist, Senior - Hennepin County
Hennepin County, MN
About the Job
Hennepin County is seeking an excellent communicator to join our Transportation communications team. This person will support the county’s Transportation Project Delivery and Transportation Operations departments, working closely with project managers, subject matter experts and other communicators to create content, deliver project and program communications, assist with outreach efforts and events, support project consultants, and respond to issues and information requests including from staff, residents, businesses and jurisdictional partners.
From snowplowing to repaving, and reconstruction to planning for what’s ahead, our staff and crews are busy year-round and need great communications support to keep our residents informed and engaged. The county is advancing multi-modal transportation efforts, incorporating green features, supporting safety for all users, reducing vehicle miles traveled, and leading other activities that go beyond the roadway.
Candidates with strong formal and informal communication skills, who enjoy working as a part of a team whether on a construction site or in a virtual meeting, and who bring a racial equity and climate action lens to their work, are encouraged to apply, as are candidates with experience working in communications or public relations in transportation, transit or public works.
Current Hennepin County employees who refer a candidate hired into an open competitive position may be eligible for a $500 referral bonus. For more information visit employee referral program.
This position is hybrid and will be performed both onsite at the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55487, Hennepin County Public Works, 1600 Prairie Drive, Medina, MN 55340, and remote as job duties require. Work hours will typically be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with occasional evenings and/or weekends. While this position is designated as hybrid, based on current requirements hires must reside in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
About this position type:
This is a full-time, benefit earning position.
This position is internally classified as a Communications Specialist, Senior.
Click here to view the job classification specification.
In this position, you will:
Partner with transportation project managers, subject matter experts and other communicators to help residents, businesses and the community understand the county’s transportation work and highlight its importance.
Provide communications consultation, planning and evaluation to help transportation staff meet project goals and requirements, and keep stakeholders informed and engaged.
Create and manage content across communication channels, including digital, web, photo and video, collaborating with creative teams and consultants.
Assist with project and program engagement efforts, including preparing staff for events and coordinating the development of communications materials and resources.
Provide strong customer service, including responding to project inquiries and ensuring timely, clear and accurate distribution of information.
Participate in regular project meetings and/or check-ins with project managers for a portfolio of transportation construction and maintenance activities.
Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, including project and program managers, internal stakeholders, local businesses and key municipal staff.
Assist with risk communications planning and crisis response activities, such as supporting county joint information centers.
- One of the following:
- Six years or more of related professional experience in strategic communications supporting a broad range of programs, projects, and services.
- Two years or more of college and four years or more of related professional experience in strategic communications supporting a broad range of programs, projects, and services.
- Bachelor's degree in journalism, English, communications, mass communications, marketing, media studies, graphic design, photojournalist, telecommunications, visual communications, public administration or a closely-related field and two years of related professional experience
- Experience:
- Working in communications or public relations in transportation, transit, or public works.
- Planning and creating content for publication (i.e. websites, one-pagers, posters, and flyers).
- Working to deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
- Working effectively with external and internal partners.
- Responding in crisis situations.
- Using Microsoft 365, Sitecore, GovDelivery, Adobe Workfront, and/or Creative Cloud.
Writing for accessibility, plain language, and/or multiple stakeholders.
Hennepin County Communications provides strategic and creative services to help connect people and communities to county employees, programs and services. The department helps county business areas meet program and project goals and reach the right audiences by communicating clearly and engaging responsively. Our award-winning team of county communicators is dedicated to using best practices as well as innovative approaches to produce best in class communications products and services.
About Hennepin County:
Hennepin is the largest county government organization in Minnesota. Our employees work every day to improve the health, safety and quality of life for our residents and communities. All of our jobs align to one or more of our overarching goals -- that Hennepin County residents are healthy, protected and safe, self-reliant, assured due process, and mobile.
Our employees receive a combination of generous benefits and positive workplace culture not found at other organizations. This includes meaningful work that impacts our community, competitive pay, work-life balance, a variety of benefits and opportunities to grow. Learn more at The Bridge (login as Guest).
Hennepin County envisions an organization where our commitment to diversity and the reduction of disparities is fundamental in providing excellent service to our community.
This posting may be used to fill current and future vacancies.
Watch this video for application best practices and tips.
Invitations to interview will be based upon an assessment of education and experience. Final candidates will be required to complete a background check.
Your future. Made here.
If you have any questions, please contact:
#LI
