Public Information Officer

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for routine media inquiries and coordinate timely, accurate responses with department directors, subject matter experts and Communications leadership.
• Develop and maintain professional working relationships with local, regional and national news media; respond to reporter questions, coordinate interviews and facilitate access to appropriate city representatives.
• Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, key messages, FAQs and other public information materials.
• Identify and develop proactive story opportunities that highlight City programs, services, projects, employees and community initiatives; pitch stories and coordinate media coverage as appropriate.
• Monitor news coverage and emerging issues, identify potential communications risks or opportunities, and brief Communications leadership on significant developments.
• Support crisis and emergency communications, including preparing public information, coordinating with emergency response partners and assisting with Joint Information System/Joint Information Center activities as assigned.
• Serve as a City spokesperson when assigned and provide on-camera interviews or recorded public information updates for news media and City communication channels.
• Prepare city staff and subject matter experts for media interviews, including developing talking points, anticipated questions and key messages.
• Write, produce and appear on camera in City videos, including news updates, explainers, interviews, event coverage and other informational content.
• Plan video projects from concept through completion, including research, scripting, interviewing, field production, basic lighting and audio, editing and publishing.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Marketing, Digital Media or a closely related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in media relations, public information, journalism, public relations, communications or a closely related field. Experience must include direct responsibility for responding to media inquiries, developing public information materials and working with reporters under deadline.
• Demonstrated professional experience writing for public audiences and producing video content is required. Experience conducting or participating in on-camera interviews, serving as a spokesperson, or presenting information on camera is strongly preferred.
• Experience in local government, public-sector communications, a newsroom or another organization with significant public and media visibility is preferred. Experience supporting crisis or emergency communications is also preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, specialized training and relevant professional experience may be substituted.
• LICENCES, REGISTRATIONS, or CERTIFICATIONS: Required: Valid Colorado driver's license and a clear or acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR).

Preferred

• Experience conducting or participating in on-camera interviews, serving as a spokesperson, or presenting information on camera is strongly preferred.
• FEMA Public Information Officer training, including IS-29 and/or G290; International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) training or certification; or other relevant professional communications certification.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
• Retirement Plans
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Sick Leave
• 12 Paid Holidays
• More information about our benefits can be found here (https://www.englewoodco.gov/government/city-departments/human-resources/employee-benefits)