Communications and Marketing Specialist

Job Closing Date: 12/10/2025 at 11:59 PM

Note: Candidates selected for interviews will be required to complete an exercise as part of the process.

The City of Kennewick is seeking a Communications and Marketing Specialist to join our team!

CORE VALUE STATEMENT

The City of Kennewick will provide excellent public service and ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community and one another through the empowerment of each employee. We value integrity, inclusiveness, stewardship and communication. We are accountable to our community for innovative and collaborative efforts that anticipate needs, leverage resources and deliver solutions.

SAFETY STATEMENT

We expect our employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and by the City’s Accident Prevention Plan. This includes but is not limited to actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action; emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

Classification Summary

Under general supervision of the Public Information Officer/Marketing Supervisor, performs a variety of Communications and Marketing functions to assist the City in creating and managing external communications related to initiatives and services to our diverse community, as well as develop internal strategies to keep employees informed, aligned and connected to our mission, vision and values. This position interacts frequently with executive staff members, elected officials and community members and collaborates with department supervisors/managers and employees. This position involves creating communications materials for city departments, graphic design projects, website updates and social media communications, especially videos, in a dynamic, collaborative environment with many opportunities for creativity.

WORK SCHEDULE

The initial work schedule for this classification will be full-time, Monday through Friday. Early mornings, evenings and weekend work may be occasionally required. This classification is exempt under the FLSA.

The following list reflects the essential job duties and responsibilities of this classification, but should not be considered all-inclusive. The incumbent will be expected to perform other related duties as assigned.

• Actively engages in the City’s communications endeavors by creating compelling communications materials and other content for both internal and external communications to enhance and manage the organization’s brand and effectively convey messages.
• Plans, designs and edits a variety of materials, which may include flyers, social media graphics, e-newsletters, brochures, advertising, web page graphics and/or other related items.
• Serves as back-up in the Public Information Officer/Marketing Supervisor’s absence to promote the city through media outlets; prepares and disseminates information to the public; establishes and maintains effective relationships with representatives of the media. Understands the City’s overall goals and priorities to develop and coordinate the City’s internal and external strategic communication messaging plan.
• Support maintenance and ADA accessibility of the City’s internal and external web pages ensuring accurate information and optimizing site structure, design and content to improve user experience, website health and functionality.
• Plans, produces and manages content on the City’s electronic and social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn, to include writing, researching, editing, posting, monitoring and responding.
• Manages the department's records throughout the lifecycle in compliance with the City's Records Retention requirements.
• Takes turns with Public Information Officer/Marketing Supervisor attending Kennewick City Council meetings and workshops held Tuesdays, typically at 6:30 p.m.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Marketing, or a closely related field including creative disciplines such as art or design is preferred. This position requires two or more years of specialized/technical training in Graphics Arts or Marketing and three or more years of previous experience involving significant interaction with the general public, preferably in a customer service capacity, or any combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties listed above.

• Must pass a criminal background investigation.
• Must maintain a level of mental and physical fitness required to perform the essential functions of this classification.
  
  

To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Modern principles and practices of public information, media relations, marketing, and communications.
• Ability to conduct advanced research on organizational policies and procedures, best practices and innovative techniques.
• Principles and methods of conceptual design, page layout, freehand, photographic, computer techniques, processes and equipment.
• Communication tools, graphic design software, and analytics platforms.
• Support and implement public information and community relations strategies. Provide continuous effort to improve operations, streamline work processes and work
• cooperatively and jointly to provide quality customer service.
• Ability to research program documents and narrative materials, and develop reports from information gathered.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; work independently with little or no direction, set priorities and meet deadlines.
• Must maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

To perform the essential functions of the classification, incumbents must be able to meet the following physical requirements: must regularly talk, hear/listen, see/observe, sit, stand and walk; must regularly demonstrate fine motor skills; must occasionally exert up to 10 pounds of force.