Press Secretary.

Job Summary

The Press Secretary is an integral part of the Mayor’s Communications Office. The Press Secretary is responsible for press releases and events, regularly interacting with members of the media, clearly communicating about critical city services residents depend on, and helping to raise Providence’s profile as a world-class city.

Ideal candidates for Press Secretary are quick, critical thinkers, possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills, and are able to work in high-pressure, fast-paced environments.

They will maintain existing professional relationships with external contacts and forge new ones as needed, effectively communicate complex topics on tight deadlines, and exhibit meticulous attention to detail at all times.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as a formal spokesperson and media liaison on behalf of the mayor and all City departments
• Draft press releases, advisories, talking points, and other communication materials as needed
• Produce timely and concise communications and responses accurately under often tight deadlines
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the media and external partners as needed
• Engage residents, businesses and community leaders, to build awareness of and interest in City government programs and services
• Maintain in-depth knowledge and understanding of priorities and initiatives, and proactively pitch story ideas to local and regional media
• Maintain availability to work on a flexible schedule that includes nights and weekends, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in public relations, political science, journalism or a related field and / or 3-5 years of media relations experience
• Strong proofreading / editing skills, exceptional writing skills, and superior verbal communication capacity
• Acute cross-cultural awareness, with a demonstrated ability to center equity in policy-making and analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize and present complex information in a manner that is understandable to the general public
• Thorough understanding of a variety of social media platforms, and excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Self-starting, with the ability to work well with others, as well as independently
• Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply
• Familiarity with municipal government structure and / or APRA (Access to Public Records Act) is preferred
• Familiarity with Providence and its neighborhoods is desirable
• Must be able to perform all essential functions of the job

Posting expires when the position is filled.