Strategy and Performance. Jamie Westhorpe

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1 POSITION TITLE Communications and Media Officer POSITION NUMBER: 1970 CLASSIFICATION/BAND: STATUS: City of Greater Geelong Enterprise Agreement (as amended from time to time) Band 5 Salary $63, to $72, per annum, plus superannuation Permanent full-time position DIVISION: Strategy and Performance DEPARTMENT: Communications and Marketing Services APPROVED BY: Jamie Westhorpe DATE APPROVED: 21 September 2015 POSITION OBJECTIVE: This role reports to the Coordinator Communications and Media (and ultimately to the Manager Communications and Marketing Services). The role includes a range of operational communications responsibilities and activities, focusing on generating positive City news stories for internal and external media distribution channels. This typically involves the preparation of daily communication and media products such as speeches, media releases, online and print-based copy, digital photos and video, and some event management. The role also involves preparing approved responses to daily media inquiries. The role also involves video journalism projects (requiring skills in scriptwriting, camera operation, non-linear video editing, and on-line posting); and the provision of content to service the City s various official social media channels, as required. The position also manages the City s media monitoring, reporting and archiving responsibilities, and the regular production of web-based news updates of Mayor and Councillor activities.

2 THE CITY OF GREATER GEELONG: The City of Greater Geelong is one of the largest local government areas in Victoria. The City provides 129 services to the municipality which has a population of around 225,000. The City has an annual budget of $402 million, employs over 2650 staff, and utilises a large number of volunteers. The organisation has five divisions: Community Services; Strategy & Performance; Planning and Tourism; City Services; and Projects, Recreation & Central Geelong. Geelong: Located 75 kilometres from Melbourne, Geelong is Victoria s second largest city and is renowned for its stunning north facing waterfront which overlooks Corio Bay. Geelong is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a relaxed coastal flavour. It is recognised as offering one of the best lifestyles in Australia. Geelong has all the modern amenities of larger cities, combined with a clean and healthy environment. Just minutes away from the city centre are kilometres of pristine beaches, charming seaside townships and unspoilt rural hinterland. Geelong is also the gateway to the famous Great Ocean Road and some of the best surf beaches in the world. The City offers excellent educational opportunities: Geelong Grammar, Geelong College, The Gordon and Deakin University are just some of the schools and tertiary institutions in the region. ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT: Geelong is among the largest of 79 Councils which collectively represent approximately 5 million Victorians. While each Council is independent, there are common rules, mainly in the form of State Legislation, which provide the framework in which Councils operate. Our Vision: Greater Geelong: building our community through enterprise, opportunity and innovation in a quality environment. Our Mission: We will focus on developing and maintaining effective working relationships to deliver Council's strategic directions and high quality services that meet the changing needs of our community. Values and Behaviours: Values form the basis of our behaviour; they add meaning to work and they provide a basis for consistent planning and decision making across the organisation. The City of Greater Geelong aims to foster a culture that embraces the organisation values being Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation and Respect. All employees should demonstrate the behaviours that come from these values when carrying out their work.

3 ORGANISATION RELATIONSHIP: This position is part of the Strategy and Performance Division which comprises the following departments: Communications and Marketing Customer Service and Councillor Business Financial Services Information Services Organisation Development Property and Procurement Strategy and Program Delivery Reports To: Directly Manages: Internal Liaisons: External Liaisons: Coordinator Communications and Media N/A Manager Communications and Marketing; Coordinator Communications and Media; other communications and marketing team members; the Mayor and Councilors; the CEO and potentially all other Council staff. Local and metro media; officers from other councils and State and Federal Government departments; private business; not-for-profit organisations; and the general community. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Actively contribute to the production of communication and media products for the City of Greater Geelong, to support the objectives of City Plan. 2. Identify and develop positive news stories and prepare media releases to maximise the understanding and positive perception of the City s projects and policies. 3. Liaise with the Coordinator Communications and Media on media enquiries, as required, and respond to media inquiries on behalf of the City as delegated including during rostered after hours contact. 4. Work with key internal and external stakeholders to implement coordinated communication and media strategies, and undertake any necessary event management and media engagement roles as directed. 5. Co-manage video production tasks for online distribution as required. 6. As requested, cover events and activities involving the Mayor, and provide a high level of communications support, including some after hours work. 7. Arrange photo opportunities and, where required, provide digital images for internal and external publications, and for use by individual departments across the organisation. 8. Contribute to Council s primary social media channels including the creation and posting of appropriate content (in and out of business hours, as rostered); and regular reporting, as required. 9. Conduct regular filing of news clips of relevant issues and developments using the isentia Media Portal subscription service, and manage analysis and reporting services. 10. Compile and despatch daily Victorian Government media releases of relevance. 11. Manage the compilation and distribution of the internal Councillor Weekly Update. 12. Research and prepare copy for a broad range of the City s communications vehicles including Community Update, City News, Interlink, Geelong Australia website and other publications. 13. Adhere to all Council s policies and procedures, as relevant to this position. 14. Undertake administration and other duties as deemed reasonable and appropriate to the role, as directed from time to time.

4 KEY SELECTION CRITERIA: Selection will be based on the following key selection criteria. However, reference will be made to other listed skills, knowledge and attributes of which the applicant should also possess. 1. A degree in journalism or related discipline. 2. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills i.e. the ability to prepare clearly written publications including media releases, media briefs, positive stories and other relevant material required by the City of Greater Geelong. Highly developed writing skills, appropriate to the position. 3. Highly desirable: demonstrated capability and experience in all aspects of video production. 4. The ability to produce community focused content for use in the City s online and offline publications such as City News and Community Update and internal publications such as Interlink and the City s internet and intranet sites. 5. Highly developed interpersonal skills and the ability to liaise with a range of professionals including staff, senior management, councillors, media and external consultants. 6. The ability to work in an autonomous capacity and as part of a team, and to plan and drive work to completion within specified timeframes and budgets. 7. Proficient computer skills using a range of technologies. 8. All candidates should display integrity, responsibility, respect for others and the ability to be innovative. ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXTENT OF AUTHORITY: Accountable for ensuring compliance with the relevant legislation, regulations, Council management systems and codes of practice. Accountable for administering specialist areas relating to specific aspects of a communications role including developing and/or refining processes, responsible for reviewing, recommending and implementing changes and improvements to the delivery of communication products. Responsible for ensuring that allocated projects comply with CitySafe Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) requirements and the City s Equal Opportunity, Harassment and Sexual Harassment policies. Accountable for creating and capturing accurate and complete records of the business activities related to this position, in accordance with approved policy and procedures. This is applicable to both hardcopy and electronic information, including . JUDGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING: To provide advice to The Mayor, Councillors and all levels of management on media and communications matters. To make prompt and appropriate decisions in accordance with delegated authorities without the need for supervision. Develop appropriate responses and solutions to system changes, which meet customer demands. Exercise judgment when dealing with complex issues. Make decisions related to this position based on a knowledge and understanding of Council s broader goals and objectives.

5 SPECIALIST SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE: Demonstrated knowledge, skills and understanding of the principles of communications related activities and public relations. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of multimedia and its application. High levels of comprehension and writing skills relevant to a communications role. Ability to operate a digital photographic equipment and produce high quality images suitable for use in internal and external publications. Commitment to the provision of efficient quality customer service. MANAGEMENT SKILLS: Ability to coordinate City related activities involving external organisations such as government departments, private consultants and members of parliament. Ability to provide high level of support to the Communications and Marketing Coordinator. Demonstrated understanding of management practices and personnel practices related to the City s CitySafe OH&S system. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Proven interpersonal skills needed to positively interact with media-related clients, councillors, senior management and staff across all levels of the organisation. Ability to use high level negotiation skills for internal and external initiatives to achieve specific objectives as listed in the selection criteria. Demonstrated and proven ability to problem solve, and to use persuasion and conflict management skills. Ability to identify customer needs and expectations, determine appropriate action and respond accordingly while presenting the City in a positive image at all times. Demonstrated relationship management capability. Ability to demonstrate integrity, responsibility, respect and innovation in all aspects of the position. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE: Relevant tertiary qualifications and/or specialist training suitable to the position. Demonstrated ability in liaising with internal and external media clients. Relevant media, public relations and communications experience. Demonstrated ability relevant to areas of media relations, public relations and communications. A current Victorian driver's licence.

6 SPECIFIC HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: A pre-employment medical examination may be required. Participate, where required, in the reporting of health, safety and wellbeing issues. Demanding deadlines. Prolonged periods of in-activity i.e. sitting at the computer. Regular keyboarding associated activities. Long / short distance travel between sites as necessary. Dealing with difficult clients and situations. SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Employment is subject to the presentation of documentary evidence of the right to work in Australia. A National Police Records check may be required throughout your employment with Council. A current Victorian driver s licence is essential where the need to drive a Council vehicle is required. RISK MANAGEMENT, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & CHARTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS: Observe policies and procedures to minimise injury and damage to assets and property. Adhere to Council s OH&S, equal opportunity and risk management policies, as well as act in accordance with the Charter of Human Rights. Ensure behaviour in the workplace does not discriminate, bully or harass others. Take reasonable care of self and others who may be affected by your actions. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: Employment will be subject to a six month probationary period for external candidates (please note that following consultation, this period may be extended by up to a further three months). Internal candidates may be subject to a three month trial period. Conditions of employment are as per your contract of employment. The City of Greater Geelong is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a no smoking in the workplace practise and is also committed to Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) in the workplace and therefore all employees adherence to all OH&S Policies and Procedures is mandatory.

7 HOW TO APPLY Applications for this position close at 5.00pm 9 October 2015 and should be submitted through the online facility at (for internal candidates, please refer to CityWeb). Should you not have access to the on-line facility, applications may be directed to: Recruitment Administration Officer Organisation Development Department City of Greater Geelong PO Box 104 GEELONG VIC 3220 Phone: Fax: For details on the recruitment process If you require further information regarding this position, please contact: Dr Geoff Russell, Manager Communications and Marketing Services on Privacy Statement Making an application for this position requires that you consent to the collection, use, storage and destruction of personal information, including details of your referees. This information will assist us to select the best applicant for the vacant position. At all times during the recruitment and selection process, personal data will be treated in a highly confidential manner. Documents will only be available to members of the selection committee for the purposes of selecting the best person for the position. All unsuccessful applicants documentation will be destroyed three months after the end of the recruitment process. Please do not send originals of documentation with your application, as they will be destroyed. In addition the applicant understands that they may apply to Council for access and/or amendment of the information. Successful applicant details become employment-related information and will be placed on the successful applicant s Personal File. The City of Greater Geelong may release this personal information to third parties such as Vision Super Fund Pty Ltd., Victorian Workcover and Centrelink for employment related purposes.