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Full-time position available with the Office of the City Manager, City Communications Division located at 414 E. 12th Street.  Normal Work Days/Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  However, the nature of the job will sometimes require nights and weekends.

Manages daily and long-range communications activities for the Kansas City Aviation Department and its airports, Kansas City International Airport (MCI) and Kansas City Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC).

Serves on a 24-hour basis as news media spokesperson for the Aviation Department for daily and emergency situations. Establishes relationships with local, regional, and national news media and reactively and proactively interfaces. Pitches news media on stories and events. Performs television radio, print, and internet media interviews. Arranges interviews for others. Collaborates with City Communications and Aviation staff on news media inquiries and coverage. Takes the initiative and makes highly responsible judgment calls in working independently or in concert with leadership. Monitors and reports on news media coverage. Works with reporters to develop positive stories about the Kansas City Airports System and its tenants. Plans, organizes, and promotes news conferences and news media aviation education workshops.

Coordinates routine and emergency information dissemination with local law enforcement and federal agencies such as Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection, National Transportation Safety Board, and tenants such as airlines, and cargo carriers, and concessionaires. Coordinates news media aspects of special events and visits with White House, federal and state agencies, and Mayor’s and City Council members’ offices. Escorts news media and others inside airport terminals and on airfields. Liaises with professional sports teams on news media management for team arrivals and departures. Uses existing Crisis Communications plan to respond to and manage crises of varying types and severity. Periodically reviews and updates Crisis Communications Plan to ensure its viability. Available 24/7 to respond to news media inquiries and report to the airport(s) and/or Kansas City Emergency Operations Center for Crisis Communications efforts in the event of an emergency. Liaises with appropriate agencies and companies. Provides message management in potentially negative or emergency situations. Manages and posts for both airports and Aviation Department on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Assists in planning, coordination, promotion, and set up of events and trade shows. Provides photographs and videos of events and activity at both airports. Manages filing and organizing photos and videos. Serves in a relief/support role for Aviation Department leadership, conducting or participating in a variety of administrative tasks. Prepares reports, attends meetings, drafts letters for signatures, writes by-lined articles, acts as inter-agency liaison, gathers information, studies and provides solutions to challenges, implements studies or surveys, and devises improved systems or procedures. Handles and fulfills service requests, inquiries, or complaints on a variety of topics on matters of importance to the department. Assists with implementing improved procedures and systems. Participates in airport meetings to be apprised of projects and activities, making reports on media coverage and issues of importance as applicable. Writes scripts and manages recordings of terminal and garage public address announcements.

REQUIRES an accredited Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years of professional experience in business or public sector administration to include at least two (2) years performing administrative and/or supervisory work involving more complex projects or programs; OR an equivalent combination of qualifying education and experience with at least two (2) years performing administrative and/or supervisory work involving more complex projects or programs. Must possess a valid state-issued driver's license in accordance with City of KCMO policies. Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, post-offer physical examination as prescribed by the City. Must successfully complete a 10-year FAA background check. Must pass Airport Operations Area (AOA) driving test. Preference given for experience in the news industry and working knowledge of aviation/airport operations.

Application Deadline: May 14, 2025

Apply online at www.kcmo.gov/jobs. EOE. The City of Kansas City, Missouri is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce.