Communications Manager- AQM60034894

About the role

• Agency
• Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources
• Division
• Aquariums
• Job Classification Title
• Information & Communications Spec II (NS)
• Position Number
• 60034894
• Grade
• NC13

Description of Work

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to work at an Aquarium? The North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher is seeking a dynamic, efficient, and enthusiastic individual to join the Communications Department as the Communications Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for a wide range of communication tools, including the Aquarium's shared website and social media outlets representing the Aquarium.
• Edits Aquarium materials for grammar, spelling, punctuation and creates content for press releases, articles, and on-line postings.
• Responsible for promoting public awareness of the Aquarium by working closely with the local travel, tourism and hospitality industry, and Chambers of Commerce.
• Evaluating and developing cooperative marketing and advertising programs through the local/area business and tourism community; developing advertising layouts for publications promoting area/regional attractions and including placement of advertising and promotional pieces; and contributes to the creation/implementation of special events.
• Supports collaborative efforts to strategically maximize awareness of the Aquarium and Aquarium Division through effective marketing and advertising.
• Supports and actively contributes to a culture of respect, collaboration, and mutual support by working closely with the other NC Aquariums, the NC Aquarium Society, DNCR, and AZA.
• Weekend, evening, and holiday work may be required.
• Interact extensively with all Aquarium personnel, including the director, husbandry, education, admissions, exhibits, and security, and work with all staff to ensure promotional activities, talking points, social media, and instruction to visitors are in keeping with the Division's mission.
• Extensive contact with members of the media and the public at large and serves as liaison with tourism industry officials in the local community, including serving on tourism and other industry promotional boards, commissions, and committees.
• Primary contact for advertising representatives, partner agencies and organizations, and must maintain a professional and informative role in interacting with the Aquarium's social media followers.
• Supervise a communications assistant.

Site-specific responsibilities

• Directs all communication, promotion, marketing, publicity, and public engagement related to programs, special events, and overarching advertising strategies throughout the public and private sectors.
• Edits all exhibit text, signage, educational and promotional materials.
• Develops and implements campaigns using original creative public relations and marketing strategies and proactively works to raise awareness of the Aquarium's programs, services, conservation initiatives, and mission.
• Works both independently and with a team in recognizing needs and making recommendations for messaging and public relations.
• Maintains awareness of new and emerging technologies to ensure the most effective and efficient delivery of messaging.
• Strengthen and build relationships with media and the local community.
• Demonstrates a strong command of AP style, including accurate grammar, punctuation, and spelling, with consistent attention to detail.
• Comprehensive knowledge of advertising, marketing techniques, design, and multimedia skills are a plus.

Division-wide responsibilities

• Promotes the mission of the North Carolina Aquarium Division and manages the Aquarium's internationally recognized brand.
• Occasionally receives specific instructions from the Division Director where applicable, in accordance with Division and DNCR requirements.
• Works closely with Communications Managers at each of the North Carolina Aquariums and Jennette's Pier in developing cross-facility promotions, division-wide communications policies, and unified representation of Communications initiatives.
• Works with the North Carolina Aquarium Society to support and guide marketing and social media needs.
• Works closely with the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Communications department to ensure accurate, consistent, and strategic communication.

This position will report to our satellite office in Wilmington.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

Recruitment Range: $50,088 - $57,954

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment, will not be considered for qualifying credit.

• Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.
• Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required.
• Applicants who possess the following are preferred:

• Demonstrated experience in public speaking and media communications.
• Demonstrated experience using Internet and social media sites for promotion and marketing.
• Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office Suite software.
• Demonstrated experience using assorted computer graphics/presentation/communication software, digital camera, smartphone, photo/video editing software, and audio recording/editing devices.
• Demonstrated experience with professional writing and editing information for press releases.
• Supervisory Experience.

Position/Physical Requirements

• Weekend, evening, and holiday work will be required.
• Must meet DNCR Fleet Safety Guidelines and have ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
• Recommended candidate will be subject to a background check prior to hiring.

• This position is located at: This position will report to our satellite office in Wilmington.
• Follow us on Social Media at: Minimum Education and Experience

• Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience."
• If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.
• See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media journalism, English, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution
• AND two years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work;
• OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Supplemental and Contact Information

Division Description

The mission of the North Carolina Aquariums is to inspire appreciation and conservation of North Carolina's aquatic environments. This mission is achieved by attracting, retaining and developing a world class team of professionals; providing visitors with outstanding exhibits, experiences and customer service; practicing sustainability, internal customer service and fiscal responsibility; and working to save and restore aquatic species and habitats.

Section/Unit Description

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 20 miles south of Wilmington, NC, in Kure Beach, overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and Cape Fear River. A living collection of more than 4,000 animals in 93,000 square feet of exhibit space attracts and engages more than 500,000 visitors each year. The Aquarium is surrounded by protected woodland, marsh, and beach. Visitors often plan to stop at sites adjacent to the Aquarium - Fort Fisher State Recreation Area and historic Fort Fisher Civil War Museum. Fort Fisher Aquarium is a unique place to visit and work.

Benefits

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Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Be sure to complete the application in full. Applicants are unable to submit more than one application to an individual posting. Only one application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59:59 PM on the night prior to the closing date.

Degree/College Credit Verification

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
• Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.
• If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Veteran's and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

Employment Eligibility

• CONTACT INFORMATION: N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
• Division of Human Resources
• 109 E. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601