Public Relations Specialist

Date Opened: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 12:00 AM

Close Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 12:00 AM

Department: Charlotte Communications Department

Salary: $62,091.00 - $77,614.00 Commensurate with Experience

Welcome to the City of Charlotte

Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.

Our guiding principles include:

• Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce

• Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development

• Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services

• Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems

• Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions

SUMMARY

The Public Relations Specialist serves as a liaison between the Communication and Marketing Department and other municipal departments to ensure consistent, accurate and timely communication. This role is responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies, creating content for various channels, assisting with media relations and supporting event planning and execution. The ideal candidate is a skilled communicator with experience in public relations, media relations and content creation.

Department Liaison & Communication Strategy:

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the Communication and Marketing Department and assigned municipal departments.

• Develop and implement strategic communication plans to support departmental initiatives, projects and public engagement efforts.

• Ensure alignment of messaging and branding across all municipal communication platforms.

• Provide communication guidance and support to departmental leadership and staff.

Content Creation & Public Outreach:

• Write and edit press releases, media advisories, talking points, newsletters, website content and social media posts.

• Consult on the development of multimedia content, including graphics and videos, in collaboration with the creative team.

• Assist in maintaining and updating website content related to assigned departments.

• Ensure content is accessible, engaging and tailored to diverse audiences.

Media Relations & Crisis Communication:

• Work with the media relations team to coordinate responses to media inquiries and prepare subject matter experts for interviews.

• Draft media statements and talking points for department representatives.

• Monitor media coverage and provide reports on public perception and engagement.

Event Planning & Community Engagement:

• Assist in planning, promoting and executing public meetings, press conferences and community engagement events.

• Support logistics for departmental events, including venue coordination, materials preparation and media participation.

• Represent the municipality at public events, serving as a spokesperson when needed.

Education and Experience:

Associate’s degree with three (3) years of Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or Marketing; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Required Knowledge:

• Experience in content creation across various platforms, including social media, web and print.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders.

• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and familiarity with content management systems, social media management tools and basic graphic design software.

Required Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and customer service skills.

• Strong analytical skills and great attention to detail.

• Strong writing, editing and verbal communication skills.

• Strong problem-solving ability and critical-thinking skills.

• Able to analyze data, think outside of the box, solution oriented

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Mobility to work in an office setting, use standard office equipment and stamina to sit for extended periods of time; strength to lift and carry up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in an office setting

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.

Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.

Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.

The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.

Our culture is to serve the community honorably.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.

You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.

For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us.

The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.

BENEFITS

The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.

Click here to learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.

The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.