Communications Specialist  (Full Time)
Department: Strategic Communications

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to plan, organize, and implement The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District communications and marketing initiatives, as well as public relations activities. The incumbent is responsible for creating and distributing marketing materials, managing various communications-related projects, and ensuring consistency in all forms of the Authority's communications. This position assists in strategic communications planning and monitors current technological and media trends.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.

• Assists in developing communications campaigns and disseminating communication according to plan/strategy; ensures that messages are supportive of and consistent with HABD marketing strategies.
• Provides support to the Director of Strategic Communications by creating and delivering marketing materials, ideas, and activities including brochures, sell sheets, and thought leadership materials.
• Researches current media coverage and industry trends; identifies, develops, and executes HABD's communication strategy for key media contacts and customer references.
• Assists in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local media representatives; develops fresh story ideas and supports the broadcast of promotional events, significant achievements, and other positive activities and accomplishments; maintains records to document local media participation.
• Promotes HABD services through public relation initiatives.
• Creates or assists with press releases, media relations content, case studies, white papers, executive bios, corporate newsletter content, social media content, and speaking proposals.
• Assists in coordinating Authority press events, determines newsworthiness, and provides appropriate guidance and follow-through with external contacts. Assists in planning, coordinating, and hosting events and resident advisory briefings,
• Coordinates HABD social media outreach; coordinates and delivers email campaigns; assists with the development, planning, and execution of social media strategies and tactics; coordinates with other HABD departments to determine events, updates, and other news items that should be shared on social media platforms. Delivers content via social media platforms.
• Receives suggestions, comments, and complaints from target audience members relating to public relations campaigns; resolves problems or errors, or reports to the appropriate staff member.
• Conducts research and drafts briefing materials and presentations to educate and inform the public about HABD initiatives and programs, as directed by the Director of Strategic Communications; provides quality control and review of reports and other written materials as requested.
• Assists with the creation of HABD graphics and art.
• Works with Resident Services to ensure that HABD residents are informed of all community programs and events, by way of preparation and coordination of advertisements and notices.
• Meets on site with program participants, resident councils in communities, and others involved in Authority programs to discuss program needs, participate in decisions, and further Authority goals.
• Attends community functions/events to recognize milestones in the lives of participants and encourages and supports their attainment of goals.
• Prepares Authority newsletter, including researching and writing stories of interest to our residents, and taking photographs.
• Works with the Director of Strategic Communications to determine event budget and manages expenses to that budget.
• Assists with administrative duties including scheduling, composing correspondence, mass mailing of materials, and maintaining records.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

• Job Knowledge: Exhibits requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position effectively. Demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to the assigned organizational entity of the HABD. Uses appropriate judgment & decision making in accordance with level of responsibility.
• Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.
• Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind. Recognizes work colleagues as customers.
• Effective Communication: Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing. Demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; listens effectively.
• Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback. Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.
• Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; does fair share of work.

Job Competencies

• Knowledge of HUD, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as HABD policies and procedures related to the position.
• Sound understanding of the principles of marketing as well as new technologies and how they can be applied to marketing.
• Excellent copywriting skills and the ability to frame technical text for a broader audience.
• Ability to coordinate a PR budget.
• Ability to accurately and rapidly compose effective correspondence.
• Ability to handle tense situations in a calm manner, while delivering excellent customer service.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Ability to communicate on a level of the listener, recognizing when information has been misunderstood, and the ability to rectify any misunderstanding as needed when explaining Authority policies and procedures.
• Ability to present ideas and address the public in a clear and concise manner, in English, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with media, co-workers, vendors, consultants, contractors, customers, HUD; and local, state, and federal officials; Demonstrated ability to communicate with people from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds.

 Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, or Organizational Development with a minimum of three (3) years of public relations, marketing, or sales experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Some positions may require possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to be insurable under the HABD's automobile insurance plan at the standard rate.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (e.g., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and must have experience with Adobe Creative Suite. Must be able to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks. 

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• To perform, this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; reaching and grasping; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to exchange information in person, in writing, and via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Office environment. The noise level in the work environment is moderate.  

The position is open until filled.