The Community Relations and Engagement Coordinator leads all communications, marketing, public relations, and special events to increase awareness of Animal Services programs and services, donor opportunities, and cultivate engagement of community members and collaborative partnerships. This position reports to the Director of Animal Services.- Responsible for the development, implementation and success of a marketing and communications plan ensuring increased visibility and consistent branding for Animal Services with public, donors, clients, volunteers and other key constituents and stakeholders;
- Oversees the development and production of all written print and electronic collateral and marketing communications pieces for both the organization and media partners, including but not limited to: Animal Services’ website, newsletters, volunteer newsletter, fliers, brochures, and social media outlet postings;
- Collaborates with non-profit Friends of Animal Services organization on e-newsletter, social media postings, and other Friends’ collateral materials;
- Coordinates and supervises the development and implementation of community events and other engagement and donor activities (i.e., Fast & The Furriest®, ROC Top Dog, and others);
- Ensures high visibility, brand recognition, and regular exposure of Animal Services in the community;
- Develops strategic and annual community relations plans and budgets in collaboration with the Animal Services Director and Friends organizational leadership;
- Establishes realistic project plans, budgets, timelines, milestones, and success indicators for community relations activities;
- Provides monthly, annual and periodic reporting for all of the community relations activities;
- Supervises the Community Relations & Engagement volunteers and interns;
- Attends meetings of neighborhood associations, coalitions, clubs, and other organizations in order to spread awareness and build partnerships in programs and services, recruit volunteers and foster caregivers, and solicit community member ambassadors for Animal Services;
- Establishes and maintains media and advertising relationships, including but not limited to: radio, television, print, and Internet publications and outlets;
- Ensures Animal Services is represented in a professional manner to the public at all times, both in regards to materials and in staff/volunteer representation.
- Bachelor’s Degree* in communications, journalism, public relations or related field and two (2) years of experience in marketing, public relations, communications, or community engagement; OR
- Associate’s Degree* in communications, journalism, public relations or related field and four (4) years of experience in marketing, public relations, communications, or community engagement.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:- New York State Class D Driver's License at time of appointment. This licensure must be maintained throughout employment in this job.
- Must be able to work evening and weekend shifts as needed.
*Candidates who expect to receive this degree or diploma by August 1, 2025, may participate in the examination. If successful on the examination, you will not be certified for appointment until you have submitted proof of completion of the requirements to the City of Rochester Examination Administration Unit. Proof must be submitted no later than 2 (two) months after the completion of your degree or diploma; failure to do so will result in the removal of your name from this list.
Scopes/Subjects of Examination: A test designed to evaluate knowledge, skills and /or abilities in the following areas.
Educating and Interacting with the Public: These questions test for knowledge of techniques used to interact effectively with individuals and/or community groups, to educate or inform them about topics of concern, to publicize or clarify agency programs or policies, to negotiate conflicts or resolve complaints, and to represent one's agency or program in a manner in keeping with good public relations practices. Questions may also cover interacting with others in cooperative efforts of public outreach or service.
Grammar, Usage, Punctuation, and Editing: These questions test for the ability to generate, prepare, and edit written documents. Some questions test for a knowledge of grammar, usage, punctuation, and sentence structure. Others test for the ability to edit sentences to produce correct, clear, concise copy.
Preparing Public Information Materials: These questions test for the ability to prepare basic informational materials electronically and in print, for the public and the media, including such products as correspondence, brochures, and news releases. Questions may cover such topics as selecting content to effectively communicate with the intended audience, making decisions regarding page readability of text, and using graphics, photographs, headlines, or captions to enhance a message.
Preparing Written Material: These questions test for the ability to present information clearly and accurately, and to organize paragraphs logically and comprehensibly. For some questions, you will be given information in two or three sentences followed by four restatements of the information. You must then choose the best version. For other questions, you will be given paragraphs with their sentences out of order. You must then choose, from four suggestions, the best order for the sentences.
Promoting and Publicizing a Program: These questions test for knowledge of the principles and practices related to promoting and publicizing a program or service in order to attract customers, clients, or participants. Questions may cover such topics as researching and setting promotion objectives, appealing to various target audiences, and producing and distributing informational materials.
Test Guide:
- The New York State Department of Civil Service has not prepared a test guide for this examination. However, candidates may find information in the publication 'General Guide to Written Tests' helpful in preparing for this test. This publication is available on line at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/testing/testguides.cfm.
- The Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County May have exam-related material, as well as, other branches.