01-27-2025 CC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Date: January 27, 2025 Item: 5 Presenter: Adam Edwards, City Administrator / Engineer Section: Consent Agenda Title: Approve Communications Specialist Position and Recruitment 1.Purpose: The purpose of this action item is to gain council approval of the job description and recruitment for the Communications Specialist position. 2.Background: The proposed communications specialist position fills a need identified by the city council over the past several years. Past direction to staff was to improve the communications efforts of the city with its constituents via newsletters, the website, social media and the local press. To accomplish those goals and directives communications related tasks were distributed across the existing city staff and occasionally with consultants. While this did result in some improvements, feedback from our elected leaders was that more was needed to ensure that our information flow was clear and consistent. The best way to achieve this is to add a full time professional with the appropriate communications education and experience to the city staff. Over the past year the city staff in consultation with the communications committee and HR Committee developed a job description for the position and included sufficient funds in the 2025 operating budget to cover the position. The draft position description is at exhibit A. The position would be part of the administrative department and report to the city Clerk while providing communications support to all departments. 3.Recruitment: The selection process for the vacant position will involve advertising the position, application screening, interviewing and background and reference checks. Upon completion of the process, a candidate will be presented to the council for consideration for appointment. The timeline for the process is estimated as follows: When What Monday, January 27 Approve position Tuesday, January 28 - Sunday, February 9 Accept applications Monday, February 10 Review applications Tuesday, February 11- Wednesday, February 19 Interviews, reference check, background investigation Wednesday, February 19 Agenda item drafted recommended candidate Monday, February 24 Council approval/appointment Monday, March 10 New employee's first day 4.Recommended Compensation: The Communications Specialist position will be part of OPEIU Local 12 Union, and will be a non- exempt position in Grade 7 of the city's compensation plan. For 2025 Grade 7 starting step is AGENDA ITEM 32