Salary : $64,787.00 - $100,408.00 Annually
Location : 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC
Job Type: Full time with benefits
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 26-06197
Department: Communications
Opening Date: 10/22/2026
Closing Date: 11/6/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Position DescriptionHiring Range: $64,787-$69,787 annually
Work Day/Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm, Monday-Friday (Hybrid eligible: 3 days onsite at City Hall / 2 days remote)
The City of Durham Communications Department tells the City's story through strategic communications across digital platforms, social media, television, and news media. This position helps inform and engage residents, employees, and key stakeholders by producing high-quality content, supporting departmental communications, and contributing to both internal and external communications efforts.
This role functions in an account-executive support model, providing dedicated communications assistance to assigned departments (currently Audit Services, Fleet Management, and the Communications Department; assignments may change). Working closely with senior Communications staff, the position contributes to communication strategies, manages content, and helps ensure alignment with Citywide standards.
The position also serves as the primary backup to the Senior Internal Communications Analyst, supporting employee communications functions such as emergency alerts, intranet updates, and digital signage. It participates in crisis and emergency communications, including Joint Information Center (JIC) activations, required training, and readiness activities.
Duties/ResponsibilitiesCommunications & Account Executive Support- Provide day-to-day communications support to assigned City departments, serving as their primary point of contact, with support from senior Communications staff.
- Assist with developing and implementing communication plans for both internal and external audiences.
- Draft and edit news releases, talking points, web content, social media posts, newsletter articles, emails, presentations, and other materials.
- Create and edit visual content, including graphics, layouts, photos, and digital assets that align with City brand standards.
- Provide recommendations on communication approaches and messaging, in collaboration with senior staff.
- Assist with public education initiatives, outreach activities, and events.
- Support department partners on social media messaging, campaign development, and audience engagement.
Content Development & Media Support- Write, edit, and produce a wide variety of communications materials for print, digital, and social media channels.
- Respond to media inquiries as assigned by gathering information, preparing draft statements, or coordinating interviews.
- Conduct research, interviews, and fact checking for communications projects.
- Support photography, video production, and content management for digital signage and website updates.
Internal Communications Support- Develop content for employee-facing platforms including intranet posts, newsletters, and digital signage.
- Coordinate with departmental liaisons to gather updates and share information.
- Serve as the designated backup for the Senior Internal Communications Analyst, supporting emergency employee alerts, intranet updates, and digital signage.
- Assist in maintaining readiness for internal communications needs during emergencies or high-priority events.
Emergency & Crisis Communications- Support crisis communications activities as part of the City's Joint Information System (JIS).
- Participate in Joint Information Center (JIC) activations as assigned.
- Complete required emergency communications training and participate in annual exercises.
- Assist in developing and disseminating emergency messaging.
- Support activation of employee emergency communication alerts when serving as internal communications backup.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement- Build and maintain relationships with staff, leadership, and partners across departments.
- Attend meetings and engage with community groups, residents, and external organizations as needed.
- Participate in cross-departmental initiatives and communications-related work groups.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a directly related field.
- One year of professional experience in communications, public information, media relations, marketing, web or graphic design, or video production.
Additional Preferred Skills- Strong writing and editing skills with proficiency in AP Style.
- Experience developing social media content and managing digital platforms.
- Familiarity with design tools such as Canva Pro or Adobe Creative Suite.
- Experience supporting departmental partners in a service-oriented, agency-style communications model.
- Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced setting with strong attention to detail.
- Experience supporting events, presentations, or engagement initiatives.
- Comfort with basic crisis communications concepts (training provided).
Benefits - General Full-Time Employees - 12-13 paid holidays per year
- 13 standard work days of vacation per year
- 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
- 2 weeks paid military leave per year
- Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
- State and City retirement plans
- Short and long term disability plans
- Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
- City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
- Paid funeral leave
- Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
- Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
- 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
- 4 hours parental leave each year
- Workman's Compensation Insurance
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year) - 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan
Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period) - 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
- Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
- Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
- Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service
01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?
- City of Durham Website
- Walk in
- Job fair
- Employee referral
- Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
- Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
- Craig's List
- Facebook
- LinkedIn
- GlassDoor
- governmentjobs.com
- Monster.com
- Indeed.com
- Employment Security Commission
- Magazine/Newspaper
- Other
02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Do you have a bachelor's degree or higher in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a directly related field?"
04
How many years of professional experience do you have in communications, public information, media relations, marketing, web or graphic design, or video production?
- No related experience
- Less than 1 year of related experience
- 1 year but less than 2 years of related experience
- 2 years but less than 5 years of related experience
- 5 or more years of related experience
05
Do you have professional experience writing and editing communication materials such as newsletters, web content, news releases, talking points, or social media posts for an organization?
06
Have you developed or contributed to a communications or marketing plan that included defining audiences, creating key messages, selecting channels, and measuring effectiveness?
07
Do you have hands-on experience creating content for digital platforms such as websites, social media, intranet sites, newsletters, or digital signage?
08
Have you provided communications support to a specific team, department, or client group - such as advising on messaging, drafting materials, or managing requests from multiple stakeholders?
09
Are you able and willing to support crisis communications activities, including participating in Joint Information Center (JIC) operations during emergencies and completing required training?
10
Are you able and willing to support emergency or high priority communications needs outside normal business hours, including occasional evenings or weekends?
Required Question
