The posting
About This Position
The Council Communications Strategist develops and implements clear, timely, and equity‑focused communications and community outreach for the District 10 Council Office. The position ensures effective public messaging, creates high‑quality visual and written content, and supports meaningful engagement with constituents across digital and in‑person channels.
Job Description:
Purpose:
An intermediate level role that assists a City Council Member and serves as an assigned liaison with other city organizations and agencies, chairs or facilitates citywide Boards or committees; and negotiates and resolves sensitive issues.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Prepares and reviews written correspondence, speeches, and other informational material.
- Handles public relations and develops communications and marketing strategies.
- Manages community outreach, newsletters, emails, updates, public meetings, or public forums.
- Attends meetings and provides staff assistance during meetings and attends to needs and requests of Council.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
- None.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge of public information, marketing, public relations, media relations programs.
- Knowledge of the functions and organization of municipal government, to include the relationships between departments, divisions and agencies.
- Knowledge of the principles associated with the role of meeting the necessary standards of customer service.
- Knowledge Federal, State and Local laws.
- Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
- Skill in handling multiple projects and prioritizing.
- Skill in using computers and related software.
- Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
- Skill in planning and organizing.
- Ability to interpret policies and guidelines.
- Ability to write articles for publication.
- Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
- Ability to lead and train others.
- Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in Business Administration or Public Administration and experience in communications or public information.
- Experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience creating original, on-brand digital content using tools like Canva, Figma, or Adobe Creative Suite.
- Experience drafting and editing effective social media content and managing creative, strategic social media programs.
Compensation Range:
The annual hiring range for this position is $75,000.00-$87,000.00
Notes to Candidate:
The District 10 Council Office seeks a talented, enthusiastic Council Communications Strategist to join in a small, hard-working team to support messaging and community outreach that is effective, progressive, and equitable for all Austinites. The ideal candidate has a passion and ability to craft progressive messaging quickly, be adept at visual asset creation, tell the stories of the community compellingly, and engage with the district both online and offline.
This position will:
- Create and deliver high-quality visual and multimedia assets for social media and outreach, including graphic design, photography, videography, and video editing.
- Develop innovative strategies for social media growth, integrating the latest trends across platforms like lnstagram, TikTok, and Reddit.
- Draft engaging, accessible content for digital communications, including the Council Member's weekly Mailchimp newsletter.
- Write talking points, speeches, op-eds, and other copy that simplifies complex political issues for broad audiences.
- Manage press strategy, including cultivating press relationships, drafting advisories and releases, and developing proactive earned media strategies.
- Lead crisis communications efforts and ensure rapid, strategic responses to breaking news.
- Collaborate with the Council Member and policy team on key projects to amplify external messaging around accomplishments and office initiatives.
- Support event logistics and participate in community meetings, town halls, and outreach events.
Strong Candidates will possess the following:
- Demonstrated ability to create original, on-brand digital content using tools like Canva, Figma, or Adobe Creative Suite.
- Strong written and oral communication skills with excellent attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Strong commitment to collaboration, teamwork, and public engagement.
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment and under tight deadlines.
- Passion for progressive politics, communications, journalism, public relations, government, and community organizing.
- Knowledge of local, state, and national political contexts, especially related to Austin, Texas.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with members of the press and develop proactive media strategies.
- Ability to design compelling graphics.
- Knowledge of local, state, and national political context.
Location and Hours:
Austin City Hall
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Telework opportunities are available. Hours will vary depending on operational needs. Evenings and weekends will be required.
If you are selected as a top candidate:
- Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
- And are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
Benefits:
Working with the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a
highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click Here.
Travel:
If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when
necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
Salary:
$75,000 - $87,000 annually.
Background Investigation:
A criminal background investigation may be required for financial responsibilities.
The following items are required to complete the application process:
• Resume
• Cover letter
• Work samples, to include one graphic design sample and three writing samples (a combination of press release, op-ed, and speech is preferred).
Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.
We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.
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What Makes the City of Austin Special?
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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.
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EEO Statement for City of Austin:
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
