Summary

Description

SUMMARY

The Public Information Officer (PIO) serves as a primary media relations and public information professional for the City of Englewood, working under the direction of the Communications Director. The position manages routine media inquiries, coordinates responses with city departments and subject matter experts, and develops proactive media opportunities. The PIO works closely with the Communications Director on sensitive, high-profile or emerging issues to ensure media responses and public information align with the city’s communications strategy. The PIO also develops communications content across multiple platforms, including press releases, talking points, website and social media content, and written and on-camera video communications.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Communications Director

Direct Reports: None

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The listed examples of work are not intended to be all-inclusive. They may be modified with additions, deletions, or changes as necessary.

Serve as a primary point of contact for routine media inquiries and coordinate timely, accurate responses with department directors, subject matter experts and Communications leadership.
Develop and maintain professional working relationships with local, regional and national news media; respond to reporter questions, coordinate interviews and facilitate access to appropriate city representatives.
Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, statements, talking points, key messages, FAQs and other public information materials.
Identify and develop proactive story opportunities that highlight City programs, services, projects, employees and community initiatives; pitch stories and coordinate media coverage as appropriate.
Monitor news coverage and emerging issues, identify potential communications risks or opportunities, and brief Communications leadership on significant developments.
Support crisis and emergency communications, including preparing public information, coordinating with emergency response partners and assisting with Joint Information System/Joint Information Center activities as assigned.
Serve as a City spokesperson when assigned and provide on-camera interviews or recorded public information updates for news media and City communication channels.
Prepare city staff and subject matter experts for media interviews, including developing talking points, anticipated questions and key messages.
Write, produce and appear on camera in City videos, including news updates, explainers, interviews, event coverage and other informational content.
Plan video projects from concept through completion, including research, scripting, interviewing, field production, basic lighting and audio, editing and publishing.
Develop content for the City's website, newsletters, social media channels, email communications and printed publications, with an emphasis on timely public information and newsworthy content.
Assist with social media publishing, monitoring and response during significant news events, emergencies and other high-interest situations.
Maintain media contact lists, inquiry logs, interview records, coverage files and other communications records.
Maintain City brand, editorial and communications standards across assigned materials and projects.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

Support internal communications and department communications projects as workload and priorities require.
Support community engagement activities, public meetings and special events when communications or media support is needed.
Assist with website updates and digital accessibility reviews to help ensure public information is timely, accurate and accessible.
Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, English, Marketing, Digital Media or a closely related field.

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in media relations, public information, journalism, public relations, communications or a closely related field. Experience must include direct responsibility for responding to media inquiries, developing public information materials and working with reporters under deadline.
Demonstrated professional experience writing for public audiences and producing video content is required. Experience conducting or participating in on-camera interviews, serving as a spokesperson, or presenting information on camera is strongly preferred.
Experience in local government, public-sector communications, a newsroom or another organization with significant public and media visibility is preferred. Experience supporting crisis or emergency communications is also preferred.

An equivalent combination of education, specialized training and relevant professional experience may be substituted.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, or CERTIFICATIONS

Required: Valid Colorado driver's license and a clear or acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR).

Preferred: FEMA Public Information Officer training, including IS-29 and/or G290; International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) training or certification; or other relevant professional communications certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge

Media relations principles, practices and ethics, including newsroom operations, deadlines and reporter needs.
AP style, professional news writing and editing techniques.
Public information practices, message development and issues management.
Crisis and emergency communications principles, including coordinated public information practices.
Interview preparation, spokesperson support and on-camera communication techniques.
Video production, including scripting, interviewing, field production, audio, lighting and editing.
Social media platforms, digital communications and website content management systems.
Digital accessibility best practices.
Photography and basic graphic design principles.
Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Cloud applications or comparable communications tools.

Skills and Abilities

Ability to:

Write clear, accurate and compelling news and public information content under tight deadlines.
Exercise strong news judgment and quickly identify information that is significant to reporters, residents and City leadership.
Communicate confidently and professionally with reporters, elected officials, executive leadership, employees and members of the public.
Serve as an effective on-camera communicator and spokesperson when assigned.
Translate complex, technical or sensitive information into clear language for broad public audiences.
Prepare subject matter experts and City leaders for interviews and high-visibility communications.
Manage multiple media inquiries and communications projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
Remain composed, responsive and accurate during emergencies, breaking news and high-pressure situations.
Build and maintain effective relationships with news media and internal partners.
Work independently, exercise sound judgment and appropriately handle confidential or sensitive information.
Use video, photography and digital communications tools to produce professional public information content.
Represent the City professionally in public, media and community settings.

Additional requirements:

Must be available to respond to media inquiries and public information needs outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, during emergencies, breaking news events or other significant incidents.

PHYSICAL EXERTION

☒ Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in office, field and community settings and requires regular local travel. The position frequently works with reporters, public officials, employees and community members and may be required to work at active incident scenes, public meetings, press events and other locations. Work requires frequent use of computers, cameras, microphones, lighting and other audiovisual equipment. Evening, weekend and after-hours work is required as needed for media inquiries, emergencies, breaking news, City Council meetings, public events and other significant City activities.

Encounters with hazardous conditions (including electrical currents, heavy equipment, fumes, bodily fluids, extreme temperatures, threatening behaviors, inadequate lighting, restricted movement, or intense noise) is:

☒ Limited (less than 1% of Time)

☐ Seldom (10%-25% of Time)

☐ Frequent (greater than 50% of Time)

☐ Infrequent (1-10% of Time)

☐ Moderate (26%-50% of Time)