Community Relations Analyst

Do you love telling stories that help people feel connected to their community? Are you just as comfortable creating a social media campaign as you are updating a website or digging into analytics to see what's working? 

Cordova Recreation & Park District (District) is looking for a creative, collaborative communications professional to join our Community Relations team as a Community Relations Analyst. 

In this role, you'll lead the District's digital communications efforts, helping tell the stories behind our parks, programs, facilities and people. From creating engaging content and managing our digital platforms to representing the District at community events, you'll play an important role in strengthening our brand and connecting our community with the experiences we provide every day. 

This is a full-time onsite position with a comprehensive benefits package that includes fully paid (base plan) medical, dental, and vision for the employee and all eligible dependents. The District participates in the CalPERS Retirement System. Employees in this classification work a 9/8/80 schedule. (a two-workweek schedule of eight 9-hour days, one 8-hour day, and one day off) Evening and weekends required as necessary for events. 

Summary Description

Under general direction of the Communications Manager, plans, coordinates and implements advanced community relations, communications, marketing, public engagement and partnership initiatives; leads strategic communication projects and campaigns; may oversee volunteers, contractors and assigned staff; and serves as a journey-level resource within the Community Relations series.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Community Relations Analyst is the journey-level classification in the Community Relations series. Incumbents independently manage complex communications, marketing, public engagement, volunteer, sponsorship and partnership initiatives. Incumbents may be assigned specialty focus areas including digital communications, marketing, community engagement, partnerships, events and/or volunteer coordination. This classification is distinguished from the Community Relations Coordinator by responsibility for strategic planning, project leadership, budget administration, contractor oversight and the exercise of independent judgement and decision-making authority.

Who We Are

Established in 1958, the District is an independent special district governed by an elected Board of Directors. 

We provide quality recreational programs, parks and services for our diverse and growing region. We currently operate over 50 parks and facilities across more than 600 acres of urban and open space. We also operate Cordova Golf Course which is a full-service 18-Hole course with a lighted driving range, pro-shop and lessons from PGA professionals. We host dozens of events throughout the year and provide athletic, educational and creative outlets for children and adults of all ages. 

Who We Serve

We proudly serve communities within Sacramento County including the City of Rancho Cordova and the communities of Gold River, Larchmont, Mather, Riviera East, Rosemont and additional unincorporated portions of Sacramento County. 

Learn more about us at https://www.cordovarpd.gov/

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Develop and implement strategic communications, marketing and community relations initiatives across digital, print and in-person channels.
• Serve as the project manager for all communication needs, including but not limited to recreation guides, brochures, banners, digital newsletters, print news articles, and various communications to staff and the public.
• Work closely with District departments, community organizations, businesses, elected officials and stakeholders to support communication, outreach and engagement goals. 
• Public Relations: Develop and implement informational and promotional materials over both print and digital platforms (i.e. website, social media, blog, email, print publications, press releases, e-newsletters, media advisories); serve as spokesperson for the District when needed or requested; coordinate campaigns and initiatives to promote the District. 
• Guest/Customer Communications: Create general strategy and manage all guest service and general inquiries from the community via email and social media. 
• Volunteer Coordination: Lead or coordinate volunteer recruitment, onboarding, recognition and program administration activities. 
• Media Relations: Build and maintain relationships with local media; pitch to media for coverage; manage on-site visits (familiarization tours); develop contacts, coordinate media interviews and serve as on-site media handler. 
• Internal Communications: Build brand narrative around the District employee experience by highlighting the people and work culture on District News & Articles; create flyers and promotional materials for staff events; act as consult to support personnel policy development. 
• Event Marketing: Assists in the coordination and implementation of District special events; lead preparations for attendance of non-District community events to promote District projects and services. 
• Partnership & Sponsorship: Develop, coordinate and maintain strategic partnerships, sponsorships, community outreach efforts and stakeholder engagement opportunities that support District priorities.
• Advertising: create, assist with design, and place advertising as appropriate within budget, matching key messages with target audiences using appropriate medium (print, trade publications, TV, radio). 
• Data Analytics: Prepare financial and statistical reports related to event or program attendance and revenues; benchmark events, programs, and services; compile and analyze trends; prepare other reports and administrative materials. 
• Participate in budget preparation and administration; prepares cost estimates for assigned area; submit justifications materials, supplies, and services as needed; monitor and control expenditures.  
• Provide direction for contract graphic designers and produces graphics (flyers, posters) for various departments and teams. 
• Serve as communications consultant for District staff. 
• Prepare a variety of administrative reports, records, and correspondences that may be complex or sensitive. 
• Assists with the Board meeting coordination, serves as Clerk of the Board backup for the Communications Manager and attends Board meetings as necessary. 
• Attends evening and weekend events as necessary. 
• Drive a vehicle throughout the District to perform assigned work. 
• Perform related duties as required.

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Excellent communications, public affairs, marketing, and branding with a history of delivering high quality results.
• Principles and practices of marketing and promotion.
• Excellent understanding of organizational operations, elected bodies, and budgeting. 
• Demonstrated leadership and experience managing a comprehensive, integrated strategic communications effort. 
• Principles and techniques of effective volunteer recruitment, supervision, training and development, and management. 
• Effective results in consensus and relationship building that support a communications strategy. 
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases. 
• Suite, social media platforms, and website management platforms. 
• Experience managing media and maintaining relationships that support a communications strategy. 
• Design and the design process and oversight of design and production of all graphics, collateral, ads, website content, materials, etc. 
• Current trends in digital media/social media.

Ability to:

• Effectively and efficiently use project management skills including the ability to manage multiple projects, teams and vendors, and meeting tight deadlines. 
• Problem-solve with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action and converting adversity into opportunity. 
• Be self-motivated with a positive and professional approach to management, excellent interpersonal skills, creative and a positive attitude. 
• Be decisive, resourceful, responsible, and humble with the ability to motivate and be motivated to deliver outstanding results. 
• Be confident and intuitive communicator with excellent verbal, writing, editing and presentations skills. 
• Analyze data and conduct research to determine trends for marketing, media and public relations. 
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Make persuasive public presentations.
• Exercise sound judgment with established guidelines.
• Use independent judgment in routine situations, such as answering questions.
• Effectively coordinate work efforts with District staff in all departments.
• Effectively communicate with individuals or groups utilizing a broad base of verbal skills.
• Comprehend and correctly use a variety of informational documents, including reports, procedure manuals, financial analysis and reports initiated by staff.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Drive a vehicle throughout the District to perform assigned work. 

To view the full job description and apply, visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/crpd/jobs/5389235/community-relations-analyst?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs