Communications Officer

This Communications Officer role is part of the City of Ballarat's Communications and Design team and is responsible for the development and implementation of communication programs to benefit the Ballarat community and advance the objectives of the City of Ballarat.

The position is responsible for ensuring the City of Ballarat is proactive and responsive in their communication with the community, the media and other stakeholders.

The role will include daily responsibilities, such as:

• Provide accurate and timely research, writing and editing services, media release distribution, media responses, community newsletters, stakeholder messages, speeches, comments/opinions, briefing notes and other communication materials, as required, for and on behalf of Council, the Mayor and Leadership Team.

• Coordinate media and communication activity and stakeholders to maximise the use of owned, earned and paid channels for the organisation.

• Coordinate digital communications activities, including updating content of the existing webpages, coordination with the social media content officer and other related website work.

• Contribute to and implement stakeholder engagement strategies that enhance the communication and relations between the Council, the City of Ballarat, the media, the community and the broader region.

• Undertake specific projects as required, which includes some out of hours and weekend work.

The role will effectively manage relationships that positively influence Council's image in the community through strategic communication, community connectivity, regular written copy and the implementation of the communications for major initiatives of the City of Ballarat and Council.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have excellent oral and written communication skills to prepare communications for external, internal and digital audiences.

The ability and experience of proactively promoting and improving an organisation's public image and enhance community understanding of an organisation's role, service and achievement through effective communications and public relations materials and methods.

Demonstrated experience working in a high-pressure environment and managing competing priorities and tight timeframes.

Key Selection Criteria

• Qualifications and experience as listed in the Position Description.

• Demonstrated strategic thinking and success in the management of large volumes of time-sensitive requests while working in a high-pressure environment.

• Ability to proactively promote and improve an organisation's public image and enhance community understanding of an organisation's role, service and achievement through effective communications and public relations materials and methods.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills to prepare communications for external, internal and digital audiences.

• Experience with influencing and developing relationships with team members and stakeholders.

• Ability to provide high-level advice to achieve optimal communications outcomes.

• Knowledge and understanding of the economic, political and social issues relating to the local government environment.

To Apply

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button and submit your application. The closing date for this position is 11.59pm Sunday 28 September 2025. Please ensure that you provide a cover letter, current resume and provide answers to the  key selection criteria.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo a full employment medical and police check.

Contact

For any additional questions, please contact Coordinator Communications, Sam Shalders on

The City of Ballarat is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a safe and inclusive working environment that embraces and values diversity, flexibility and child safety. We welcome applications from all walks of life and celebrate the diversity and richness this brings to our workplace and reasonable adjustments will be made to the process to ensure equitable access.  We undertake an employment screening process to ensure this commitment is upheld, this includes ensuring the successful candidate holds a valid working with children check and satisfactory criminal history record check.