Community Affairs Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $78,561.60 - $117,852.80 Annually
Location : 21 South State Street, Westerville OH 43081, OH
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 01303
Department: CITY MANAGER
Division: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Opening Date: 06/30/2026
Description
The City of Westerville, Ohio, is a thriving, forward-thinking community of over 40,000 residents, named by Money Magazine one of America's "Best Places to Live." Often revered as "a city within a park," Westerville is consistently recognized for its award-winning municipal services, nationally acclaimed parks system, high levels of civic engagement, robust economic development that actively supports its diverse business base, thriving Uptown and high quality of life, which are supported by a progressive Council/Manager form of government. The City distinguishes itself by providing pioneering, unified customer service, functioning as a single, efficient point of contact to resolve every citizen request.
Under the direction of the Community Affairs Director, the Community Affairs Manager is responsible for development, outreach, and strategic planning involved in public relations, media relations, and a range of community engagement initiatives, programs, and services.
SUPERVISION
This positions acts as a Daily Manager but does not directly supervisor any positions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF WORK
For purposes of 42 U.S.C. 12101
1. Acts as a daily manager for the Community Affairs Department (e.g., schedule and assign tasks; train employees; receive employee complaints; attend or participate in meetings in which policy questions are reviewed or discussed; etc.).
2. Work with the Community Affairs Director to promote a positive, proactive relationship with the media and serve as a secondary Public Information Officer when needed; assist in monitoring of and adherence to the City brand among all City departments and among external entities when and as necessary; support City departments and divisions, their functions, operations and services in communication activities including but not limited to graphic design, writing and editing and marketing and electronic communication (website, social media and new and emerging technologies).
3. Lead the City's storytelling and story-mining initiatives to uncover and elevate compelling community narratives that strengthen and authentic-ate the City's brand.
4. Support communication and marketing needs of the City Manager's Office; directly manage strategic and tactical implementation of communication objectives for municipal utilities (electric, water, fiber, etc.), planning and development (roads, construction, infrastructure, etc.) and public service (green initiatives, recycling, etc.).
5. Assist in the development and management of special events; act as one staff manager and editor of a bi-monthly magazine.
6. Assist in monitoring of and adherence to the City brand among all City departments and among external entities when and as necessary.
7. Create various graphic design, writing and editing and marking and electronic communication products for the City's departments and divisions.
8. Assist in the management of customer service aspects of the City's operations; update the online events calendars; support internal communication initiatives; assist in the development and execution of advertising both print and electronic media; perform primary and secondary research as needed to determine communications and broad customer service benchmarks citywide.
9. Meet all job safety requirements and all applicable safety standards that pertain to essential functions; must demonstrate regular and predictable attendance; maintain required licenses and/or certifications.
10. Perform other duties as assigned.
EQUIPMENT OPERATED: The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive:
Personal computer, printers, copier, telephone, and other standard business office equipment, and computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office, Google Office Suite, and other applicable computer software).
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Has exposure to chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g., toner, correction fluid, etc.); works in or around crowds; has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons; this is considered sedentary work and the employee must demonstrate the ability to perform the physical demands required of the position in accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor's physical demands strength ratings. In cases of emergency, unpredictable situations, and/or department needs, may be required to lift, push, pull, and/or carry objects heavier than D.O.L. strength ratings recommend.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK
An example of acceptable qualifications:

• Possession of a bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, or a related field of study.

• Over five (5) years in public relations/strategic communication planning, including social media management.

• Must possess and maintain a valid State of Ohio driver's license and must remain insurable under the City's vehicle insurance policy.

• Any combination of education, training, and/or experience equivalent to the minimum qualifications stated above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:(*Indicates developed after employment)
KNOWLEDGE OF: safety practices and procedures; office practices and procedures; marketing; desktop publication applications; graphic design; e-communication; multi-media productions; website design; radio/television communication.
SKILL IN: word processing; basic computer operation; writing; editing; public speaking; presenting; written and verbal communication; public relations; marketing; problem solving.
ABILITY TO: demonstrate professionalism; build and maintain a high level of trust and credibility with the media, community members, and district staff.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Employees pay 15% of the monthly medical insurance premium through United Healthcare which includes prescription coverage. Employee, Employee plus child(ren), Employee plus spouse and family coverage is available. However, a spouse who has affordable health care coverage through their employer must elect that coverage as primary. The City health care plan is a high deductible healthcare plan.
HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Annually, the City will deposit 85% of your health insurance deductible amount into an HSA account in your name.
VISION AND DENTAL
The City pays 100% of the premium for dental and vision. Coverage levels will be explained in further detail at time of hire.
LIFE INSURANCE
The City pays 100% of the premium on a $100,000 life insurance policy for employee and $10,000 for spouse and $5,000 for child.
RETIREMENT PENSION
The City contributes 14% monthly toward retirement benefits offered through the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System. The employee pension payment share is 10% of gross salary.
VACATION
New employees accrue two weeks of paid vacation every year. Vacation time increases with length of service time.
PERSONAL LEAVE
Employees receive 6 prorated days of personal leave annually.
01
How did you learn about this position?

• www.westerville.org website
• Governmentjobs.com website
• Indeed.com (career board)
• LinkedIn.com (career board)
• Careerbuilder.com (career board)
• City Employee
• Friend
• Career (Job) Fair
• CareerBoard.com (career board)
• Other website not listed
• Other

02
Do you possess a bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, or a related field of study?

• Yes
• No

03
Do you have 5 or more years experience in Public Relations/Strategic Communication planning; including social media management?

• Yes
• No

Required Question