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To view a recruitment brochure for the Assistant Director (Public Engagement) position for the City of San Antonio please visit:
https://www.sanantonio.gov/hr/careercenter#13706899-executive
The first application review will take place on September 29th, 2024. For consideration, please apply before this review date by sending your resume and cover letter to: [email protected]
The anticipated offer to a selected candidate would be in the range of $120,000 – $160,000. Offered salary is commensurate with experience.
About San Antonio
The City of San Antonio is the nation’s 7th largest city and is home to more than 1.5 million residents. Located in South Central Texas, about 140 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, San Antonio offers its residents one of the most attractive and affordable lifestyles in the country. Residents enjoy one of the lowest tax rates in the state as well as a plentiful supply of high-quality housing and low utility rates. The economy of San Antonio is a mix of business services, manufacturing, health care, communications, corporate and regional offices, government, and the convention and tourism industry. Known as “Military City,” San Antonio is also home to one of the largest concentrations of military bases in the United States. One of the nation’s fastest growing cities, San Antonio is rich in recreational and cultural opportunities with more than 15,000 acres of public parks and 150 miles of trails, more than 50 museums and galleries. It is also home to 5-time NBA Champions the San Antonio Spurs. The Historic San Antonio Missions are Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage site, and is a UNESCO designated Creative City of Gastronomy.
City Government
San Antonio has a Council-Manager form of government with an 11-member City Council. Councilmembers are elected by District, while the Mayor is elected at-large. The term of office for the Mayor and all members of the City Council are two-year terms, for not more than four (4) full terms of office. The City Council appoints the City Manager, who appoints all officials in executive positions except for the City Clerk, City Internal Auditor, Presiding Judge, and Municipal Judges.
The City of San Antonio has been recognized for its high level of professional management by the ICMA and National Civic League, among others. For 11 consecutive years, the City has maintained a AAA bond rating. The Fiscal Year 2024 adopted operating budget is $3.7 billion with more than 13,000 employees across 42 departments. The City has made a commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, primarily through the formation of a citywide Office of Equity in 2017, which was transformed into our Department of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).
About The Department
The Communications & Engagement Department creates a more empowered community through transparent information, strategic communication, creative design, public access television & meaningful engagement. The Communications team handles media, marketing, social media and messaging for the City of San Antonio. They help create content strategies and communications plans for all City departments. The Creative Services team oversees brand management and design for the City of San Antonio’s creative assets. They maintain the City’s official logos, fonts, color, photos and templates on SA.gov/brand and content on the City’s website SA.gov. The Engagement team manages community outreach and education. They oversee the City’s engagement strategy and bridge connections with community groups, including surveys and content on the City’s engagement platform SASpeakUp.com. The TVSA team manages the City’s government and public access television channels and the TVSA studios. They televise and stream City Council and certain boards and commission public meetings. They produce original video programming to air on the TVSA Government, Public channels, and social media. The Open Government team completes requests for public information under the Texas Public Information Act. They work closely with the City Attorney’s Office and all Department liaisons.
The Position
The Assistant Director is responsible for assisting the Director in planning, directing, and overseeing the activities and operations of the department. They coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager’s Office. The Assistant Director exercises direct supervision over assigned staff and currently oversees both the Engagement Team and TVSA.
Essential Job Functions
· Assists in assuming full management responsibility for specific department services and activities.
· Develops and implements City policies, procedures and protocol designed to engage community input on various City programs and initiatives. Assesses community concerns, values and opinions on these issues and presents findings to City leadership.
· Assists in acting as official departmental representative to other City departments, City Manager’s Office, elected officials and outside agencies; explains, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, and activities; and negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
· Attends committee meetings and public gatherings to obtain information or provide information concerning the City. Attends City Council meetings and takes necessary action regarding Council agenda items.
· Manages citywide surveys, including the Community Satisfaction Survey and annual Budget Priority Survey. Manages the City’s engagement platform SASpeakUp.com.
· Assists in managing and participating in the development and administration of the department budget. Estimates funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies and assists in directing the monitoring and approval of expenditures. Directs the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments as necessary.
· Assists in managing the development and implementation of performance measures, department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; and allocates resources accordingly.
· Assists in monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; and identifies opportunities for improvement and assists in directing the implementation of changes.
· Selects, motivates, and evaluates staff, provides or coordinates training, works with employees to correct deficiencies, and assists in implementing and administering disciplinary and termination procedures.
· Assists in reviewing and signing all higher-level department communication, including ordinances and contracts. Assists in providing staff support to a variety of boards and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; and stays abreast of new trends and innovations regarding communication and municipal government.
Education and Experience
Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. They will also have six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the field of public relations, public engagement, or public administration, to include three (3) years of administrative or supervisory responsibility. The most highly qualified candidates for consideration will be selected based on a combination of education, career experience, and accomplishments that best fits the needs of the City of San Antonio.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a passion for public service and engagement experience in a government setting. They must also have the ability to skillfully establish partnerships and positive relations with a variety of stakeholders which may include outside organizations, City Council, employees, and the community at large. Ideal candidates must be a collaborative leader who can motivate and inspire teams of creatives to work together. Having a background with community engagement, working with survey data, budgets and television production is important to be successful in the role. The ability to effectively communicate messages and presentations clearly and concisely is critical to being successful in this position.
Salary
The City of San Antonio is offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $120,000 – $160,000. The City also offers generous benefits and retirement including annual and personal leave, a deferred compensation plan, and participation in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS).
How to Apply
If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a cover letter, resume, references and salary requirements to:[email protected]
The first resume review date will take place on Sunday, September 29th, 2024. To ensure you are considered for this role please apply prior to the resume review date and submit your application as soon as possible. This position is open until filled. Upon receipt, resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted by the City of San Antonio’s executive recruiter.
For additional information please contact:
Jeff Baldwin, Executive Recruiter
City of San Antonio
Human Resources Department
Phone: (210) 207-7939
Please note: Under the Texas Public Information Act, information from your resume may be subject to public disclosure. The City of San Antonio is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.