Communications Specialist

Salary: $74,124.96 - $98,481.76 Annually
Location : City of Maple Grove, 12800 Arbor Lakes Parkway, Maple Grove 55369, MN
Job Type: Full-time- Benefit Earning
Job Number:
Department: Administration
Opening Date: 10/09/2026
Closing Date: 10/23/2026 4:30 PM Central
FLSA: Non-Exempt

Job Summary
The Position

The City of Maple Grove is seeking a creative and collaborative communications professional to join our team as a Communications Specialist. This position plays a key role in connecting residents, businesses, and the community with important information through engaging and creative communications. You'll create, write, edit, and share content across a variety of channels, including the City website, social media, newsletters, photography, graphic design, and other public information materials. You'll also support communications projects and initiatives while helping ensure the City's messaging and brand remain consistent, professional, and engaging. The ideal candidate is dependable, collaborative, and creative, with strong communication skills and the ability to take the lead on projects, bring new ideas forward, and confidently manage communications from concept to completion. Maple Grove offers competitive pay, exceptional benefits, a PERA pension, and opportunities for professional growth, all while making a meaningful impact in one of Minnesota's fastest-growing communities. Come join our growing and diverse community!
Tentative Hiring Timeline

*subject to change*

Posting Closes: October 23, 2026 at 4:30 PM

First Round Interview: Week of November 2, 2026

Final Round Interview: Week of November 9, 2026

Council Approval: November 16, 2026

Tentative Start Date: November 17, 2026

Pre-employment requirements:
Employment for this position is contingent upon the successful completion of a reference check, background check, and City Council approval.
Responsibilities

• Develops, writes, edits, and publishes engaging content across multiple channels, including the City website, social media, newsletters, press releases, digital signage, brochures, and other print and digital materials.
• Serves as a communications resource to City departments, providing guidance and developing effective materials that support programs, projects, services, and initiatives.
• Maintains and updates the City website and digital content, ensuring information is accurate, current, accessible, and consistent with City branding and communication standards.
• Creates graphics, photography, and other visual content to promote City services, programs, events, and community initiatives.
• Supports community engagement and public outreach efforts, including surveys, campaigns, special events, publications, and emergency communications.
• Monitors communication effectiveness through website analytics and social media metrics, maintains digital communication resources, and stays current on emerging communications trends, technologies, and best practices.

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of local government operations, organization, and communication practices.
• Principles and practices of communications, marketing, public information, and customer service.
• English grammar, spelling, punctuation, plain language, and business writing.
• Website content management, social media, and digital communication best practices.
• Graphic design principles and visual communication techniques.
• Branding, accessibility, and effective communication methods.

Ability to:

• Create, edit, and publish clear, accurate, and engaging communication materials for a variety of audiences and communication channels.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships while delivering exceptional internal customer service.
• Manage multiple projects, prioritize competing deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with employees, residents, elected officials, and community partners.
• Exercise sound judgment, attention to detail, and creativity while working independently and collaboratively.

Qualifications

Need to have:

• Associates degree or higher in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, Digital Media, Graphic Design, or a closely related field, or completion of the degree within one year of hire.
• Valid Minnesota Drivers License
• Previous experience working in a communications department.

Nice to have:

• Experience in communications, marketing, journalism, public information, or public relations.
• Experience creating content for websites, social media, newsletters, or other digital communication platforms.
• Experience using graphic design software such as Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Experience working in a communications department for a local government or another public sector organization.
• Experience with photography or digital media.

Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
Performs work primarily in an office environment with frequent use of computers and standard office equipment. Regularly attends city meetings, community events, and other locations to support communication initiatives. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support meetings, events, emergency communications, or other city activities.

Physical Conditions:
Essential and other important responsibilities require the ability to sit and stand for extended periods; walk throughout city facilities and event locations; bend, stoop, reach, and lift or carry materials and equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. Requires manual dexterity to operate computers, cameras, and other office equipment, as well as sufficient vision, hearing, and speech to communicate effectively and perform the essential functions of the position.
The City of Maple Grove offers its employees a competitive total rewards package. For details, please visit the
01

Do you have a valid Minnesota driver's license free of restrictions?

• Yes
• No

02

Please select the highest level of education you have completed or are nearing completion of in a field related to this position (communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, digital media, graphic design or a related field).

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

03

Please indicate the number of years of professional experience you have in a position that includes communications-related responsibilities.

• None
• Less than one year
• One year to less than two years
• Two years to less than three years
• Three years to less than four years
• Four years or more

04

Please select the number of years of experience you have working as a communications specialist or in a similar position for a local city or county government.

• None
• Less than two years
• Two years to less than four years
• Four years to less than six years
• Six years to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

05

Please select all areas in which you have professional experience:

• Marketing
• Journalism
• Public Information
• Public Relations
• Community Engagement and Public Outreach
• Digital Communications
• None

06

Please select all areas in which you have professional experience creating or developing content.

• Social media content
• Website content & management
• Newsletters
• Press releases
• Photography
• Digital media
• Print publications and promotional materials
• Written communications and publications
• Branding
• ADA accessibility
• Graphic design
• None

07

Please select any of the software, platforms, or programs you have professional experience with.

• Canva
• Adobe Creative Suite
• CivicPlus
• Polco
• Microsoft Sharepoint
• None of the above

08

Please select all languages you can speak at a conversational level or higher.

• American Sign Language
• Hmong
• Russian
• Spanish
• Vietnamese
• None of the above

Required Question