Public Information Officer

Boulder, CO (Hybrid)

Requisition Number: 70462 Location: Boulder, Colorado City Boulder State Colorado Employment Type: University Staff Schedule: Full-Time Posting Close Date: 12-Mar-2026 Date Posted: 05-Mar-2026 Job Summary Strategic Relations & Communications at CU Boulder encourages applications for a Public Information Officer (PIO) position embedded in CU Boulder’s Division of Public Safety (DPS)! The PIO will support DPS communications efforts by assisting with media relations, emergency messaging, public engagement, and internal communications. This is a safety-sensitive position, exercising a high degree of discretion, trust, and confidence. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Who We Are As the university’s central marketing and communications team, Strategic Relations and Communications advances CU Boulder’s mission, vision, and reputation through an integrated communications approach supporting a campus-wide experience that inspires greater affinity and engagement. Strategic Relations and Communications advances national and global recognition of CU Boulder by demonstrating its public value, improving the inclusiveness of our marketing and communications, supporting a campus-wide experience that inspires greater affinity and engagement, and providing tools and processes for campus partners. What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be Public Affairs, Emergency and Crisis Communications: Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that supports DPS priorities, enhances transparency, and strengthens community trust. Draft and distribute media responses, statements, talking points, and other announcements during public safety incidents in collaboration with the Director of Issues Management and DPS leadership. Develop and implement proactive public safety campaigns, including community‑focused content that promotes safety education, crime prevention, and awareness of DPS services. Support on the management of real‑time information flow during emergencies, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and alignment with university protocols. This includes the dissemination of emergency messaging for CU Emergency Alerts, CU Safety Alerts (Timely Warnings), and CU Advisories in coordination with police personnel, DPS leadership, and the Director of Issues Management. Provide logistical support for press conferences and public safety events. Build and maintain strong relationships with local, regional and national media outlets. Digital and Internal Communications: Develop internal and external DPS publications and communications in collaboration with DPS leadership and the Director of Issues Management. Create social media and website content highlighting the work of all departments within DPS, including capturing photographs and videos of events, training, and community engagement activities. Maintain content for all DPS websites. Events and On-Call: Work preplanned signature events with DPS personnel to assist with messaging to support the event, such as severe weather notifications, safety-related issues, crowd management, traffic congestion, and other emergency functions. This will include having a working understanding of Incident Command Structures (ICS) and functions that occur in a command post or similar operation. Serve on the on-call PIO rotation that requires timely responsiveness on holidays, nights, and weekends. Collaborate with the Director of Issues Management to develop and update crisis communication plans, templates, and protocols. What You Should Know This is an in-person/hybrid role that requires working on the CU Boulder campus a minimum of 3 days per week. Ability to work nights and weekends as needed. Willingness and flexibility to serve in an on-call rotation, to be the point person responding to emergency scenes on an as-needed basis, and to attend night and weekend events, as needed. What We Can Offer The annual salary range for this full-time position is $82,000-$92,000. Benefits At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program. Be Statements Be ambitious. Be inspired. Be Boulder. What We Require A Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, Criminal Justice or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for the degree on a year-for-year basis. 4+ years of experience in journalism or communications for a media organization and/or institutional communications for a college, university, or public agency/entity. Proven use and knowledge of AP style writing. Media relations experience. Familiarity with emergency protocols. What You Will Need Ability to work in high-pressure environments and respond to evolving situations. Ability to work nights and weekends as needed. Integrity and trust in dealing with confidential information, including the ability to use discretion with confidential information. Ability to respond to requests for information in a timely and customer-focused manner. Experience using common office equipment, desktop computer hardware/software, and familiarity with common administrative/office support software applications, e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Publisher. Experience developing social media content in support of the employing agency's objectives. Proficiency in writing and editing in Associated Press style. Willingness and flexibility to serve in an on-call rotation, to be the point person responding to emergency scenes on an as-needed basis, and to attend night and weekend events, as needed. What We Would Like You to Have Experience working in a larger (20,000+ student population) university or city environment. Certification in Incident Command System (ICS) through ICS 400 and completion of the Public Information Officer (PIO) Program. Fluency in Spanish. A valid Colorado driver's license or the ability to obtain a Colorado driver's license. Special Instructions To apply, please submit the following materials: A current resume. A cover letter that briefly describes how your background and experience align with this position. We may ask for references at a later time. Please apply by March 12th, 2026, for consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs. In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. Posting Contact Information Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu