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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Safety Information OfficerCITY OF IOWA CITY - Job Description Job Class #14-19 FLSA Non-Exempt Civil Service Identification Position Title: Public Safety Information Officer Department: City Manager’s Office Division: Communications Supervisor: Communications Coordinator Job Summary Serves as Public Information Officer (PIO) for Police and Fire Department. Develops and implements communications strategies, focusing on public safety initiatives. Works under the supervision of the Communications Coordinator, and with Police and Fire administrations to create effective and well- coordinated messaging, engages with the public, and communicates resources available for comprehensive support of mental and emotional well-being, and general public safety information. Evaluates Public Safety communications and pursues creative ways to enhance such efforts through social media, events, website content, and writing news releases. As PIO, participates in interviews with media and public. Represents public safety at various events and meetings. Works under the direction of the Communications Coordinator regarding communications strategy, planning, website content management, and social media, focusing on public safety content, and provides assistance to Communications Team as needed for general communications needs. Assists with Munis financial activities – invoice payments, budgetary planning, and assistance. Job Scope Works as part of the Communications Division, specializing in public safety information that supports Police and Fire administrations. Acts as PIO for public safety media events, creates news releases, social media, and website content. As part of the Communications Division, will join a team that includes a Digital Communications Specialist, Creative Communications Specialist, and videography staff. Makes recommendations for purchases of engagement technology, marketing, and training opportunities for staff, coordinates engagement activities, assists with budget recommendations, handles related Munis financial transactions – invoice payment, budget. Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities Develops public safety messaging for Police and Fire, serving as PIO; assists in determining appropriate communications means to disseminate such messages. Promotes awareness and understanding of public safety programs, services and makes public presentations. Coordinates public meetings, public safety press conferences and other community events as directed to provide information and receive feedback on public safety issues, reporting back to City officials. Serves as an information resource for the diverse community, incorporating translation as needed, Job Class #14-19 Communications Page 2 Updated 04/07/2021 and keeping ADA accessibility top of mind in event planning. Writes public safety news releases and web content, creates and manages social media content, talking points, presentations and works with the Communications Office to create publicity materials, including video. Responds to the scene as needed to provide emergency communications, sometimes after hours, coordinating with the appropriate personnel on talking points for media, public and internal staff. Develops and maintains media relations and serves as public safety PIO for media inquiries. Maintains editorial and graphic standards for public safety information, follows City’s social media policies; assuring effectiveness, clarity and high quality. Works with public safety to receive training specifically related to emergency communications and protocols, including crisis communications training through NIMS. Assist with development of public safety surveys and polls. Works with the Communications Office to receive training on specialized software, providing communications assistance as needed for the division. Ability to travel to/from meetings or respond to emergencies at various City locations as needed. Conducts self in a manner which promotes and supports diversity and inclusivity in the workplace and community. Performs all other related duties as assigned. Physical and Environmental Conditions The physical demands and work environment conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job and are encountered while performing those essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk or stand. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Minimum Education, Experience and Certification Associates degree from an educational institution accredited by a DOE recognized accreditation body required or a combination of education and at least two years professional experience may be substituted. Law enforcement, public relations, public affairs, emergency management, psychology, public speaking, communications or marketing degrees and/or training are all applicable. Demonstrated verbal and written skills required. Candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of Job Class #14-19 Communications Page 3 Updated 04/07/2021 experience in public speaking, new release writing, and/or website content management, be adaptive to quickly changing circumstances, sometimes responding to emergency communications needs evenings and weekends. Must pass criminal background check. Preferred Education, Experience and Certification Bachelor’s degree in a public relations, public affairs or communication or marketing-related field, law enforcement or psychology from an educational institution accredited by a DOE recognized accreditation body preferred. Bilingual skills and demonstrated relevant experience in a diverse organization preferred. Previous exposure to municipal government operations preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of and experience with public speaking, news release writing, social media platforms, website content management, public safety communications. Skills in oral and written communication. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.