Information here from the city of Asheville:
CONTRACT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Public Relations Specialist
Share important information with the public and support open government efforts by working in a public service environment and communicating the work of the City of Asheville. As a contract Public Relations Specialist, your role is to support the city’s communications team by serving as the city’s staff writer, putting together compelling stories for distribution through various channels including online sources, government television, and print. Responsibilities will include: Writing press releases, web site, print copy, opinion editorials, video scripts and general content for communications outlets. Providing information and photos to post on social media to communication actions and events. Working with the communications team to ensure consistent messaging and timely posting of news and information. Supporting the team with community outreach and involvement. Requirements include: 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, media relations, PR or public affairs and either the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, PR, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field or additional qualifying experience. Excellent written and oral communications skills, a working knowledge of local government, the ability to work under tight deadlines, experience in social networking, the ability to utilize web technologies and a working knowledge of AP style and editing are all key skills! Note: 12 month contract. Applicant is responsible for providing own work space and equipment and must be available beginning in March. Submit a letter of interest, resume, and 3 writing samples (1 must include original photography or multi-media supplement) to: apply@ashevillenc.gov or fax to: 828-259-5479 by 2/17/2010 Pay Range: $22.00-$25.00/hour
Social Media Development Specialist
The city is expanding its communications strategy to include social media tools in conjunction with its existing communications channels. We would like to reach more citizens with information regarding city services and programs, engage residents in community issues, and support transparency in government. This is a contract opportunity to establish and build audiences on Facebook and Twitter, recommend and implement other tools and strategies to link the distribution of information, train staff on the use of social media tools, develop a policy and style guide, and advise on search engine optimization. We require 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in marketing with an emphasis on online marketing, web development & generating web content, multimedia management, and the in use of social networking tools to engage and interact with constituents and target audiences. Note: 3 month contract beginning in March. Candidate must provide work space and equipment. Pay Range: $22.00-$25.00/hour
5 Comments
I’ve been reluctant to comment and hoped someone else would bring the "negativity," but…. What’s new? Asheville’s focus is singularly on tourism. Is it useless/hopeless to try to bring light industry or technological firms into the area? The majority of us will have a very hard time paying property taxes and contributing to the local economy if our employment options are sort of limited to waiting on tables, cleaning hotel rooms, or working at Mission.
Where and how does one apply? Your articles should include related links for more intuitive user experience.
This is just too many people working in PR for the City government. They already have about 4 people in community relations and communications. Why can’t this work be done by current PR and IT staff. This need to jump on the bandwagon of social media communications is not worth the effort. Compared to the web and communications done by Buncombe County Govt. the City of Asheville can’t even come close. Too many bureaucrats and not a lot of value for the tax dollars being spent.
I’m so very surprised that the City feels it can afford to hire additional staff for positions like this. Something is strange.
Just a few years ago, the City had only one marketing/PR person whose responsibilities included all aspects of communications. Now it seems they feel they must join the current trend and refocus into "social media" like Facebook and Twitter. Even when they had only one position, that person was never really busy. Today there are about 4 full-time positions in the Community Relations Dept.
I’m shocked that the PR staff is unable to write its own articles and press releases. I guess that former PR manager, Lauren Bradley, has gotten herself promoted to be the assistant to the assistant city manager, or director of administrative services, or something like that. Part of Jeff Richardson’s little empire at City Hall.
I happen to know something about the bureaucracy that is City of Asheville government and know that their marketing and pr activities are not that extensive and do not justify such a large staff. This is obviously overkill — the City does not need these $22 to $25 per hour contract employees — there is simply not enough work or urgency in the pr activities to justify this.
I urge Mayor Bellamy, City Manager Gary Jackson, and especially the full Council to take a close look at this growing bureaucracy in city government’s administrative services. This is not the most efficient use of our tax dollars!
The city has a serious budget shortfall and it is hiring a "Social Media Development Specialist" at $22.00-$25.00/hour for three months? What will the total cost of this be?