Public Information Officer

Overview

The Senior Public Information Officer (PIO) serves as the Finance Department’s lead communications professional, responsible for developing and executing strategic messaging that enhances transparency, strengthens public trust, and improves understanding of the City’s financial operations. This position translates complex financial information into clear, accessible messaging for residents, elected officials, media, and internal stakeholders. The Senior PIO manages communications related to the City’s budget, revenues, tax administration, financial reporting, audits, and fiscal policies;

oversees Finance web content; monitors media activity; and supports departmental leadership during high-profile or sensitive financial matters. Operating within the Department of Finance, this role works in close coordination with the central communications office to ensure enterprise alignment while maintaining subject-matter expertise on financial issues.

Why This Role Matters

Finance departments are among the most publicly scrutinized functions in local government. Decisions related to taxes, billing, collections, audits, and budget priorities directly influence resident trust.

This role helps the City:

• Promote financial transparency
• Reduce misinformation
• Strengthen credibility
• Improve resident understanding
• Communicate fiscal responsibility
• Support leadership during complex financial discussions

Strategic Financial Communications

• Develop and implement a proactive communications strategy that improves public perception of the Finance Department.
• Advise Finance leadership on messaging related to budget decisions, tax policies, financial performance, audit activity, and major fiscal initiatives.
• Anticipate sensitive issues and prepare transparent, easy-to-understand communications.
• Identify opportunities to highlight departmental improvements, modernization efforts, and service enhancements.

Budget & Financial Narrative

• Translate complex financial data — including the annual budget, financial reports, revenue forecasts, and tax processes — into accessible messaging.
• Develop FAQs, fact sheets, infographics, and educational materials that promote financial literacy.
• Support communications throughout the budget development and adoption process.
• Assist in preparing presentations and briefing materials for executive leadership and elected officials.

Media & Issues Management

• Serve as the primary liaison for finance-related media inquiries.
• Monitor media coverage, social platforms, and public sentiment regarding financial matters.
• Draft press releases, public statements, and executive talking points.
• Prepare Finance leadership for media interviews and public appearances.
• Respond rapidly and professionally during emerging or high-profile issues.

Website & Digital Transparency Leadership

• Lead the continuous improvement of Finance-related web content to enhance transparency, accessibility, and resident experience.
• Ensure financial information is current, accurate, and presented in a user-friendly format.
• Translate technical financial documents into clear digital resources.
• Partner with IT and the central communications office to expand online transparency tools.

Executive & Crisis Communications

• Support leadership during high-profile financial events such as tax changes, audit releases, billing concerns, or economic disruptions.
• Assist in developing crisis communication strategies related to financial operations.
• Provide communications guidance during periods of heightened public interest.

Internal Partnership

• Collaborate with Budget, Revenue, Treasury, Procurement, and other Finance divisions to ensure messaging accuracy and consistency.
• Coordinate with the central communications office to maintain alignment with enterprise messaging.
• Advise departmental leaders on communication risks associated with operational or policy changes.

Performance, Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Track communications metrics including media sentiment, website engagement, and public interaction.
• Evaluate effectiveness of communication strategies and recommend improvements.
• Implement best practices that strengthen public confidence in the City’s financial…