Responsibilities

• Study the objectives, promotional policies, or needs of the agency to develop public relations strategies that will influence public opinion or promote ideas or services; plan or direct development or communication of programs to maintain favorable public perceptions of agency accomplishments, agenda, or public responsibility.
• Develop plans or materials to communicate activities undertaken by the agency that are beneficial to the public safety or other important social issues; arrange public appearances, lectures, or exhibits for the public to increase service awareness or to promote goodwill.
• Establish and/or maintain cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, media, employee, or public interest groups.
• Respond to requests for information from the media or designate an appropriate spokesperson or information source; provide requested public records to the news media after appropriate information has been redacted in accordance with the Florida public records law.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of departmental rules, regulations, General Orders, memoranda and bulletins in order to answer inquiries from the media or public.
• Write interesting and effective press releases or other media communications and prepare information for media kits; prepare or edit agency communications (e.g., employee newsletters, annual reports, PSAs, videos, brochures) for internal or external audiences.
• Update and maintain content posted on the agency intranet, internet, social media sites, etc.
• Assist in crisis communication and public safety communication efforts.
• Assist in the coordination of ceremonial functions both internal and external; conduct speaking engagements at public events.
• Attend conferences, training classes, and workshops to keep abreast of new trends in public information dissemination.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in public relations, communications, journalism, media relations, or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, communications, journalism, or media.
• Attendance at the specified Sheriff's Office work location is required.
• Depending on assignment, employees may be required to possess a valid Florida Driver License at time of employment.
• Driving history will be thoroughly reviewed and may be grounds for disqualification.
• No visible tattoos on face, head, and neck. Tattoos determined to take away from the professional appearance of the Sheriff’s Office must be covered with an appropriate white, black, or neutral covering.
• No illegal drug sale within lifetime.
• No illegal drug use within the past 36 months. No marijuana use within the last 12 months.
• No felony convictions within lifetime.
• No misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, false statement, or domestic violence within lifetime.

Preferred

• Experience with and on television media.