Responsibilities

• Serve as the Public Information Officer (PIO) and primary spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office.
• Draft and distribute press releases, public service announcements, and social media updates.
• Respond to media inquiries, coordinate interviews, and manage Sheriff’s Office communication platforms (Facebook, website, etc.).
• Act as a Faith-Based Liaison, collaborating with local churches and clergy on community initiatives.
• Manage the Neighborhood Watch Program, organizing meetings and educating the public on crime prevention strategies.
• Oversee the Ranch Watch Program, providing security assistance and crime prevention for rural property owners.
• Attend public meetings, safety fairs, and community events to represent the Sheriff’s Office and address community concerns.
• Conduct VIN Inspections in accordance with state regulations.
• Assist with Lexipol policy and procedure updates, ensuring compliance with law enforcement standards.
• Process phone-in and counter reports from the public, providing assistance and documentation as needed.

Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Criminal Justice, Public Relations, or related field preferred.
• Experience: Minimum two (2) years of experience in public relations, law enforcement, or community outreach. A minimum of five (5) years of law enforcement experience, including roles in School Resource Officer (SRO), Patrol, or Investigations strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of law enforcement operations, crime prevention strategies, and community engagement best practices.
• Proficiency in social media management, website updates, Microsoft Office, and basic graphic design tools.
• Language Skills: Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in a variety of written formats. Must be able to interpret, apply, explain and enforce all applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures to a wide range of audiences and levels of knowledge. Ability to assemble, organize and present statistical, financial and technical information derived from a variety of sources. Ability to read, analyze and interpret complex and technical documents, including contracts, maps, and complex management and financial reports and respond to the most sensitive inquires or complaints. Ability to read, comprehend and translate information relayed in written or graphic format. Must be able to write policies, procedures, correspondences and other types of documents. Must have the ability to write speeches, articles and manuals and create presentations using original and innovate techniques and styles. Must have the ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups and organizations and/or board of directors. Ability to prepare industry specific technical reports and budgeting information. Ability to effectively communicate with the public, federal, state and county officials, employees, community agencies and the public.
• Interpersonal Skills: Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Work with the media to maintain a positive image of the County to the community. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must be able to diffuse the most intense situation with diplomacy and professionalism. Must have the acumen to navigate political waters of the County and other outside agencies and organizations. Demonstrate a commitment to the County’s mission, values and core beliefs. Provide leadership, guidance and feedback to ensure continual quality improvement and respect the experience, cultural and overall diversity of those you lead and interact with.
• Mathematical Skills: Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Skills: Must be able to apply principles of logic and reasoning or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems and work independently with minimal direction. Must be able to prioritize work and simultaneously manage multiple responsibilities at times under pressure of tight deadlines and emotional situations. Must have the skill to solve problems involving concrete and abstract variables in a variety of situations within established guidelines.
• Office Technology/Computer Skills: Must be able to effectively use modern office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities. Must have extensive experience in word processing, database manipulation, spread sheets, and email with a high degree of accuracy. Must be able to learn the software and programs related to the position and the County.
• Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, climb or balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch. Must be able to respond to the customers’ needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other devices and objects. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Physical ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle to and from field and meetings as required. Ability to work extended shifts and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours and the ability to work in stressful situations.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Criminal Justice, Public Relations, or related field preferred.

Benefits

• 2026 Montrose County Benefit Information (https://www.montrosecounty.net/1109/2023-Benefits) (https://www.montrosecounty.net/1059/2022-Benefits)