Communications Officer

Position Description

Are you ready for work that is both challenging and meaningful? Bring your enthusiasm for serving the community and join us in transforming the delivery of public safety services!

SCD is hiring a Communications Officer (SA1) to help develop and deliver clear, transparent communications about public safety and first response efforts in partnership with the department’s 911 Center and Diversified Response divisions.

This role will become a trusted subject matter communications lead that helps translate the complex, urgent nature, and diverse world of first response into transparent and accurate communications for residents, partners, media, and elected officials. This position works directly with the Chief of CARE and under the general supervision of the Chief of Staff and Executive Team. They serve as a key advisor on behalf of CARE to city officials – including the mayor’s office, city council, major stakeholders, and senior officials of other public safety agencies.

• Plans, coordinates, and manages CARE’s integrated strategic external and internal communications strategy and public relations functions.
• Draft, edit, and publish consistent communications products for distribution, including press releases, newsletters, website content, social media campaigns, live interviews, blogs, FAQs, and briefings.
• Translate complex information into plain-language, objective and transparent messaging for the public and stakeholders.
• Key advisor and contributor to department website content, design, development, and audits.
• Collaborate with Executive Leadership for marketing and online services to create and communicate CARE’s messages and ensure overall continuity of organizational brand consistency and image.
• Supports and evaluates results of communication campaigns with the team.

• Attends speaking engagements, press conferences, community outreach, exhibitions, press tours, photo opportunities, etc. as required.
• Conducts in-depth research, prepares presentations, and coordinates logistics for the appointing authority and senior COS officials to ensure smooth and successful events.
• Leads as technical expert in public speaking and assists with writing and editing internal or external speeches.

• Manages incoming media inquiries and develops responses with subject matter experts.
• Acts as a point of contact for public information requests and or complaints.
• Develops and maintains relationships with media community, internal, and key external agencies/organizations or groups that are important to effective communications with the CARE department.

• Collaborate on constituent and community partner response while coordinating with Executive leadership and across multiple departments and/or subject matter experts.
• Draft and/or finalize responses to stakeholders, city council and/or regional partners ensuring messaging is consistent, responsive, and aligned with City leadership communications expectations.

• Support the promotion and communications of public safety related events and activities, as well as issues relevant to the CARE department.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Safety, Public Policy OR a related field.
• Minimum three years of experience in communications, public relations, or a similar role, preferably with a focus on working in public or private communications.
• Must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) background investigation.

OR:
An equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the position’s duties will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum education and experience requirements.

• Exceptional written and oral communications skills, including public speaking and writing experience for all media platforms.
• Command of social media and networking expertise.
• Understanding of Web and…