Communications & Engagement Specialist in Fargo, North Dakota at Fargo Park District

The application deadline is Friday, August 21st EOB. Please attach your cover letter and resume to your completed application. These documents are required.

At the Fargo Park District, our mission is to grow community through places, spaces, and experiences, and communication helps bring that mission to life.

The Communications and Engagement Specialist leads strategic communications, public relations and community engagement efforts that strengthen relationships between the Fargo Park District and the people it serves. This position translates complex organizational information into clear, accessible communications for residents, media, employees, executive leadership and the Park Board.

Through storytelling, public information, engagement and cross-departmental coordination, this role supports transparency, informed decision-making and awareness of the Park District's community impact. The ideal candidate is a thoughtful strategist, skilled communicator and trusted relationship-builder who can navigate both planned initiatives and fast-moving public information needs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Evaluation of this position is based primarily on performance of the following essential functions, which include, but are not limited to:

Executive, Board & Organizational Communications

• Coordinate the development of presentations, talking points, summaries and other communication materials for Park Board meetings, public meetings, executive leadership and organizational events.
• Gather, synthesize and organize information from departments and subject-matter experts into clear, audience-appropriate materials.
• Support leadership and staff in preparing for media interviews, public presentations, community discussions and other high-visibility communications.
• Review Board-facing and executive communication materials for clarity, consistency, accuracy and public accessibility.
• Assist with communication following Board actions, organizational decisions and major public meetings.
• Develop templates, processes and guidance that improve the consistency and efficiency of organizational communications.

Strategic Communications & Storytelling

• Develop, coordinate and implement communication strategies that support the Park District's mission, strategic priorities, major projects and operational needs.
• Research, write and edit clear, accessible content for press releases, presentations, talking points, newsletters, website content, social media, community reports, letters, scripts, internal communications and public notices.
• Translate complex operational, financial, policy and project information into communications that are understandable and useful to public and internal audiences.
• Collaborate with departments to identify and communicate stories, projects and updates that demonstrate the impact of Park District parks, programs, facilities, partnerships and employees.
• Lead communication planning for major initiatives, capital projects, policy or fee changes, facility updates and other matters with significant community impact.
• Develop communication timelines, key messages, frequently asked questions and supporting materials in collaboration with subject-matter experts.
• Coordinate messaging and collaborate with creative staff to ensure communications are accurate, accessible and consistent with Park District brand standards.
• Develop or coordinate basic visual communication materials, presentation layouts, signage and multimedia content as project needs and team capacity require.

Media & Public Relations

• Serve as a primary media contact and Park District spokesperson, coordinating responses with leadership and subject-matter experts as appropriate.
• Research, draft, edit and distribute press releases, media advisories, public statements, interview briefs, key messages and talking points.
• Triage media inquiries, identify appropriate spokespeople and coordinate interviews, schedules, locations, approvals and supporting materials.
• Prepare staff and leadership for interviews by developing background information, anticipated questions and key messages.
• Build and maintain responsive, professional relationships with local and regional media outlets.
• Proactively identify media opportunities that highlight Park District programs, people, partnerships, facilities and community impact.
• Monitor media coverage and public response, identify emerging communication needs and share relevant developments with leadership and affected departments.

Community Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with residents, neighborhood groups, community organizations, partner agencies and local businesses.
• Plan and facilitate community engagement opportunities, including neighborhood meetings, open houses, surveys, online engagement platforms, listening sessions, pop-up outreach and community events.
• Develop engagement plans that identify stakeholders, outreach methods, communication timelines and opportunities for meaningful public participation.
• Develop accessible outreach campaigns that invite residents to participate in Park District programs, planning initiatives, public meetings and feedback opportunities.
• Serve as a connection point between residents and the Park District by gathering, organizing and communicating public input to appropriate departments and decision-makers.
• Coordinate engagement materials and logistics with operational departments, leadership and external partners.
• Summarize community feedback and prepare findings for staff leadership, project teams, the Park Board and the public.

Internal Communications & Cross-Departmental Coordination

• Develop and coordinate internal communications that keep employees and leadership informed of organizational priorities, upcoming initiatives, media activity and public-facing projects.
• Produce recurring internal updates, organizational summaries, staff features and other employee communications.
• Coordinate information, approvals, deadlines and deliverables across departments for major communication and engagement projects.
• Establish communication workflows, templates and intake processes that improve collaboration between the Community Relations team and other departments.
• Provide communication guidance and support to employees serving as project leads, presenters or subject-matter experts.

Issues, Emergency & Crisis Communications

• Support the Director of Community Relations and organizational leadership in planning communications for urgent, sensitive, high-risk or rapidly evolving issues.
• Gather and verify information from operational teams and leadership before public release.
• Develop holding statements, key messages, frequently asked questions and channel-specific updates as circumstances evolve.
• Coordinate timely, accurate and transparent updates across appropriate internal, public and media channels to support public safety, organizational credibility and community trust.
• Monitor media and public response and recommend follow-up communication when needed.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing or a related field.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, community engagement, journalism, public information or a related field; experience in a public-sector, nonprofit or community-serving organization is preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing, verbal communication and presentation-development skills, with the ability to adapt complex information for different audiences.
• Proven ability to build and maintain positive relationships with media, community leaders, employees and diverse audiences.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
• Proficiency with digital communication, project-management, presentation, engagement, social media and content-production tools.
• Experience developing executive, Board, media or other high-visibility public communication materials is preferred.
• Experience coordinating multiple contributors, approvals and deadlines for complex communications is preferred.

CREDENTIALS/LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.