Public Information Officer

20240109 Public Information OfficerCLOSING DATE: Open Until FilledAPPLY ONLINE AT LONGMONTCOLORADO.GOV/JOBS

Department: Strategic Integration

Division: Project Management Office

Hiring Range: $ 8,115 - $9,017/month

Weekdays, extended nights and weekends during events. Remote and schedule flexibility with supervisor approval.

Regular Full-time with Benefits

Benefits include: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending, Defined Benefit Pension Plan, 401(a) Money Purchase Plan, Life & Survivor, Term Life & AD&D, Long Term Disability, Bereavement, Jury & Witness Duty, FMLA, Military Leave, Parental and Caregiver Leave, Sick, Vacation at start of employment, Holiday pay, EAP, Tuition Assistance.

Other benefits: Optional, employee elected, voluntary benefits are available.

Open Until Filled positions may close without advance notice. To be considered, please apply as soon as possible.

Definition:

Under the general direction of the Assistant City Manager of Shared Services, coordinates internal and external Public Information efforts for the organization. Represents the City Manager, Mayor and City council, and the Assistant City Managers (Internal Services, External Services, Public Safety, Utilities and Public Works) on behalf of the residents of the City of Longmont. Individual must possess integrity, political awareness, and ability to work and communicate with diverse individuals and groups through a variety of communication platforms. Special emphasis will be placed on public safety media relations.

Principal Duties:

• Manage the public relations, Public Information and media relations programs for the City. With Communications Director, oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of the City’s communication plan identifying target audiences and strategies for disseminating information in a coordinated manner; develop and establish proactive communication efforts targeting diverse populations, including monolingual Spanish speaking residents.
• Serve as City spokesperson for media contacts; conduct television, radio, and newspaper interviews; write and issue press releases; respond to media requests for information; coordinate the handling of high profile or sensitive projects. Set up media interviews with appropriate staff and proactively tell the Longmont story through the media.

• Respond to public requests for information; ensure positive public relations and relationship building necessary for community trust, cohesiveness and understanding.

• Respond to “breaking news” in the community by posting information and respond to questions on social media and other platforms once reported.

• Support “daily media” inquiry requests as a result of generated calls for service to media on behalf of Public Safety Department.

• Demonstrate good judgment and expertly integrate social and traditional media tactics, strategies, and responsiveness to maintain the organization’s reputation. Proactively nurture healthy, effective, working relationships with the media especially the local newspaper.

• Participate as a leader of the City’s Public Information Team including setting the direction for the group with the Communications Director, planning meetings and utilizing its expertise in the creation of Public Information tools.

• Manage and monitor the City’s home page and news/Public Information pages content; generate new content, innovations, create and update appropriate website content/appearance policies and practices through collaborative efforts with Web Coordinator and Department web representatives.

• Prepare and administer the Public Information budget, forecasting funding for staff, equipment, materials, and supplies; submit budget recommendations and justifications; monitor expenditures against approved budget.

• Monitor local news, track public sentiment and provide feedback/analysis to City Manager, Assistant City Managers and Communication Team members on issues of interest to the City. Propose proactive strategies and content to build connection and trust with the community and the media.

• Remain current on citywide issues, services, programs, events, projects, and trends

• Coordinate and work with local cable Channel 8 representatives to ensure weekly broadcast of City Council meetings and periodic promotion of city events, programs and services.

• Regularly attend City Council Meetings and retreats and respond to requests from media on-site

• Collaborate with Office of Emergency Management to coordinate, plan, and implement Public Information strategies and processes for emergency response incidents.

Working Environment:

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Occasional light lifting and carrying of up to 15 pounds. The work requires reading, editing, and writing; includes frequent verbal communication and cooperation with others, performing multiple concurrent tasks, organization, and performing detailed work. Work requires the ability to perform under time constraints and deal with frequent interruptions. Work requires a non-traditional work schedule including frequent evenings and weekends.

Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations or a related field at least three years of increasingly responsible experience in communications/public relations. Media relations and municipal experience preferred.

Special Qualifications: Bilingual (English/Spanish) expert proficiency preferred.

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications, and encourages all candidates to apply and help us achieve our goal of creating an inclusive and equitable workplace.

Selection

The selection process will include complete job description review, personal interview, background investigation, criminal background check, and substance screening.

DEADLINE: Open Until Filled

An ONLINE APPLICATION is required. This job is Open Until Filled. The online application process is available for this position on our website at www.longmontcolorado.gov/jobs. Resumes will be accepted in lieu of the full City Application; however, they must be submitted via the City application site for consideration. Open Until Filled positions may close without advance notice. To be considered, please apply as soon as possible. For more information, call (303) 651-8609.

The City of Longmont is an equal opportunity employer. The City affirms its commitment to diversity and to complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding nondiscrimination in employment. The City will not discriminate against any person in recruiting, examining, appointing, hiring, training, placement, termination, layoffs, recall, transfer, leave of absence, promoting, compensating, retaining, disciplining, or any other personnel action on the basis of age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law, except when any of these categories constitutes a bona fide occupational qualification (i.e., an actual qualification for performing a job). If you need special assistance in the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department in advance to make arrangements.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

ALL CITY OF LONGMONT FACILITIES ARE SMOKE FREE

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $8,115.00 - $9,017.00 per month

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person