Joliet Adding Public Relations Job: Are You Interested?

JOLIET, IL — The Will County Health Department, Will County Executive, Will County Forest Preserve District, Joliet Township High School District 204 and Joliet Public Schools District 86 all employee full-time public relations employees.

Joliet, the fourth largest city in Illinois, does not employ anyone in that role. But that's about to change. The city of Joliet is currently accepting applications for a public relations manager. The salary will depend on the person's qualifications, the job notice states.

The future hire will report to new city manager Jim Capparelli, who took over City Hall in January.

Joliet posted an online notice for the new job Feb. 26 and applications will be taken through the end of March.

"I believe it's the right way to go. I would like to get someone hired full-time," Capparelli remarked Friday. "I could hire a consultant, but I would rather have someone here that's a full-time public relations job."

Why does Joliet need a permanent public relations manager?

"Joliet's got a great story to tell," Capparelli said. "And we need someone who's our advocate in-house. I'm excited about it. Other cities and towns much smaller than us have dedicated media relations/public relations people."

According to the job posting, Joliet wants to hire someone who has a bachelor's in either English, journalism, communications, public relations or a closely related field from an accredited college. Applicants should have three years experience in journalism, public relations or communications, preferably in a municipality or other government agency.

For more information, visit the job posting here.