Communication and Events Coordinator

For doers and makers seeking a well-rounded community, Hickory is a bridge between Asheville and Charlotte at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains along Interstate 40, where a collective spirit of craftsmanship strengthens any endeavor with detail, artistry and quality. Hickory, North Carolina, is a three-time All-America City on the Catawba River approximately one hour east of Asheville and one hour north of Charlotte. More than 40,000 residents call Hickory their home and Hickory is the hub of a 350,000 metropolitan area. Hickory has outstanding school systems, seven recreation facilities, two libraries, several golf courses, theaters, art museums, and eighteen gorgeous parks. Beautiful Lake Hickory is over 4,000 acres and has many public access areas. Please check out Hickory at or for a web portal all about Hickory and the surrounding areas and what makes Hickory a "Well Crafted" City. Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetics, or the presence of a non-job related medical condition or disability. U.S. Law requires all applicants to furnish proof of identity and right to work in the U.S. All offers of employment are contingent on the successful completion of a post-offer functional prework screen and a drug screen. This examination process is designed to determine if applicants are able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the job without physical harm to themselves, or others. All applicants are subject to a background check. To assist with development and implementation of communications and marketing campaigns and public relations activities, to provide skilled and creative graphic design and videography, as well as social media and website content creation. This role is part of the marketing team, assisting the Communications and Marketing Manager to develop, create, research, and provide quality of life/place information, videos, photographs, and website updates for overall branding and economic development.

• Coordinates work with the City's Office of Communications' staff
• Produces press releases, posters, flyers, mailers, and displays for assigned departments
• Posts information to the assigned departments' website and social media outlets, as needed
• Attends and helps manage City events
• Responsible for taking high-quality photographs and videos, and edits them for website, social media, publications, media use, and shares with brand partners, when requested.
• Works with Communications staff to produce high-quality graphic design services for departments, as requested
• Creates Communications Office print and digital marketing ads, using Adobe Creative Suite and Canva programs
• Maintains and updates the Office of Communications photo and video library files
• Develops and maintains communication strategies for assigned departmental services
• Communicates, engages, and collaborates with various community partners and citizens
• Works with the Communications Specialist to develop City communications tools by deadlines
• Assist Communications Specialist on internal employee communications
• Identifies new sources/tools for communicating assigned departmental information
• Works with established and new City partners to collaborate on events, programming, and information sharing
• Works with the Office of Communications to receive approvals on collateral, graphics, and any information that is sent to the public, media, or businesses, as needed
• Works with Communications and Marketing Manager and Communications Specialist to ensure is updated on a monthly basis.
• Works in partnership with the Internet Systems Analyst/Webmaster and Communications Specialist to monitor and ensure City content is up to date on all sites. Participates in overall vision for the Hickory websites.
• Assists the Communications Specialist with the Neighborhood College/Hickory 101 annual program, including, but not limited to, coordinating schedules with departments, logistics for weekly set-ups, communications to participants, and graduation event coordination.
• Responsible for gathering band details from Sails Original Music Series coordinator, posting promotional content on the Sails Original Music Series Facebook page each week leading up to the band's performance, and coordinating all paperwork/contracts for the series, in conjunction with the Communications and Marketing Manager.
• Responsible for coordinating event set-up and logistics, including, but not limited to, contracts, memorandums of agreements, sponsorship contracts, and green sheets, working in conjunction with Communications and Marketing Manager per brand and marketing events.
• Works with Communications and Marketing Manager to develop sponsorship opportunities for City programs, brand events, and bond programs, as requested.
• Participates in local radio and television programs as requested by Communications and Marketing Manager or Communications Specialist.
• Attend City Council meetings quarterly or as requested.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of communications, marketing, and public relations.
• Knowledge of the city code of ordinances and other regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of the functions, organization, and operations of city departments.
• Skill in the preparation of media releases, social media posting, and graphic design.
• Skill in creating content to help market City of Hickory.
• Skill in collaborating with sponsors, vendors, partners, and employees.
• Skill in operating a personal computer and utilizing a variety of software, including Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere Pro, and Canva.
• Knowledge of bundling a graphics package for print ready files.
• Understanding CYMK and RGB color profiles.
• Skill in using Internet, Social Media,
• Familiarity with Office products and Microsoft Teams.
• Skill in operating a copier, digital camera, telephones, scanner, and other office equipment.
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in analyzing data and making decisions.
• Skill in dealing with the public.
• Skill in interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

• Knowledge and level of competency commonly associated with the completion of a Bachelor's degree in a course of study related to the occupational field or Associate's degree and/or related job experience of two plus years.
• Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver's license issued by the State of North Carolina for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Communications and Marketing Manager will assign work in terms of general instructions. The Communications Department will assist in training and guiding this position to ensure City brand standards, as well as media/public relations work is accurately delivered. Work is spot-checked upon completion for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of results. GUIDELINES: Guidelines include the City and Office of Communications policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. COMPLEXITY: The work consists of varied communications duties. The diversity of tasks to be accomplished contributes to the complexity of the work. SCOPE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this position is to coordinate Communications and Marketing related activities to market the Hickory community. Additionally, this position assists the department with event coordination and high-level graphics work to assist with branding and marketing Hickory. Successful performance helps ensure the overall effective and efficient operation of the city government. PERSONAL CONTACTS: Contacts are typically with department heads, co-workers, other city employees, elected officials, media representatives, brand partners, and the general public. PURPOSE OF CONTACTS: Contacts are typically to give or exchange information and provide services. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The work is typically performed while sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects and must be able to distinguish between shades of color. WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work is typically performed in an office, media outlets, city departments and in various locations in the City. SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY: None.

The City of Hickory provides a generous benefit package, in addition to salary:

• 11 paid holidays
• 12 paid sick leave days per year
• Paid vacation
• City-paid individual health insurance (H.S.A.)
• Low-cost dental and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program - 5 FREE visits
• 12.89% contribution per employee to the NC Local Government Retirement System
• Up to 5% matching contribution to 401k
• Free Life insurance of 1.5 times salary up to ($125,000)
• Tuition Assistance Program
• On-site Wellness Clinic
• A selection of voluntary benefits such as additional life insurance, dependent life, Short-term disability insurance, accident, and critical illness insurance; All at very competitive rates.
• Benefits package valued at over ($12,500) annually.

*Employees working in seasonal/part-time positions are not eligible for benefits.*