Summary
Description
The Judicial Department works to provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety, and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado. Together our courts and probation departments are committed to impartial and timely dispute resolution; support for families, litigants, and victims; client rehabilitation; and meaningful community engagement.
Description of Job
Summary of Job Classification:
Coordinates the Colorado Judicial Department’s media and public relations programs. Serves as a spokesperson and media relations coordinator for the Department and related courts, programs, and initiatives.
Distinguishing Factors
Human Collaboration:
Interactions may result in decisions regarding implementation of policies. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions with the public requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.
Freedom to Act & Impact of Actions:
Employee normally performs assignments according to your own judgement, requesting supervisory assistance only when necessary. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.
Knowledge & Skills:
Advanced:
Work requires advanced skills and advanced and extensive knowledge of work. Incumbent can handle complex tasks, and translate complex nuances related to aspect of the job. Recognized by others within the organization for technical depth of knowledge.
Fiscal Responsibility:
Position has no fiscal responsibility.
Essential Functions:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function listed below satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Frequency and percentage of time may vary based on assignment.
Responds to media inquiries by gathering information and referring the media to appropriate resources. Drafts official statements, press releases, media responses and serves as the spokesperson for the Judicial Department and related court programs. Writes talking points, holding statements, and media responses.
Maintains and manages the media monitoring systems for the Department and produces daily news clipping reports.
Briefs leadership on any hot topics in the media and advises on follow-up.
Develops online media guides and individual press kits/plans for major trials, decisions, and issues.
Maintains active and current media lists and reporter contact information for new release distribution.
Provides onsite media coordination to district and county courts for high-profile cases. Manages Expanded Media Coverage (EMC) and media presence in various courts.
Identifies and pitches to the media proactive stories on the Colorado courts. Proactively engages media partners for positive storytelling in media outlets.
Evaluates the effectiveness of the media program by developing data reports on media placement in pitched stories.
Coordinates press conferences, sending out media alerts and providing onsite coordination.
Creates and provides workshops and round table discussions for the media about the courts statewide.
Assists in providing media training for Judicial Officers.
Responsible for the development and implementation of media relations communications plan for the Department.
Attends meetings and trainings as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Additional Comments:
Under the supervision and direction of the Chief Communications Officer, the Media Coordinator is an essential position in managing the public information and media relations of the Colorado Courts and the Judicial Branch. This position is part of the department's current focus to develop and implement a robust, modern communications department and proactive communication strategies. Primarily responsible for answering press inquiries, coordinating responses from and interviews with subject matter experts, story pitching, media relations, and disseminating critical information about the department and courts through proactive strategies, including drafting press releases, talking points, and official statements. Serving as a spokesperson for the courts and department, this position will create media guides and press lists to ensure the correct and timely information delivery to local, state, and national media outlets. In coordination with judicial districts, this position manages media presence in courtrooms across Colorado. The Media Coordinator keeps the department abreast of the most current media stories and press coverage about and impacting the courts and departments by disseminating daily press clipping reports. This position serves as a subject matter expert on interviewing techniques and provides counsel and training to department personnel participating in media interviews. This position is a hybrid position, some remote and some in-person office work, and may include travel across the state.
Supervisor Responsibilities:
Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others.
Physical Effort Requirements:
Sedentary Work – Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
Work Environment:
Relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards. Office environment.
Work Location:
Office or similar indoor environment.
Exposures:
Individuals who are hostile or irate. Individuals with known violent backgrounds.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Education and Experience Equivalency:
Master’s degree in communications, journalism, or public relations.
Work Related Experience:
Minimum (3) years working in education, communications, court management or like field required.
Licenses and Certifications:
None.
Supplemental Information
HOW TO APPLY:
For more information and to apply online, please visit our website listed below:
https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/careers
Please note: Applications must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on the closing date. Incomplete or new applications will not be accepted after this time.
The Colorado Judicial Department is committed to ensuring equal access to and full participation in court and probation services and programs for qualified individuals with disabilities, including employees of the Colorado Judicial Department. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important part of our culture, and we are committed to provide reasonable accommodations when needed without causing undue hardship to the Colorado Judicial Department.
Each district has an ADA Coordinator and Jury Commissioner. The ADA Coordinator is responsible for initiating the interactive process once an employee, court or probation services participant has made a request for reasonable accommodation and the Jury Commissioner is responsible for initiating the interactive process once a juror has made a request for a reasonable accommodation.
