Public Communication Specialist, Senior

About the Job: CSPD is seeking a strategic communicator with exceptional writing and interpersonal skills who thrives in fast-paced environments to provide media relations and communication strategy for CSPD by preparing news releases conducting interviews responding to media requests and planning and coordinating media communications public communications and Public Affairs activities and internal department communications.

Work Schedule and Environment:Office environment with frequent field work. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is an exempt position and some work outside of regular office hours is required.

Job Posting Statement: This position is subject to budget required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year and any furloughs subsequently approved.

Come explore the possibilities a career with the City of Colorado Springs can offer!

As a Public Communication Specialist Senior you will:

• With the Public Relations Manager serves as a liaison between CSPD and media outlets responding to daily inquiries via phone and email.
• Collaborate closely with Public Relations Manager Public Affairs Section staff and CSPD personnel to ensure unified messaging.
• Respond to incident scenes as needed working with various investigative and patrol units to provide on-scene briefings and coordinate media response. Conduct interviews prepare news releases and manage media interactions to support CSPD operations and public understanding.
• Ensure all public messaging reflects the voice mission values and branding of CSPD.
• Supervise the Public Communications Specialist II and collaboratively develop and execute social media strategies video production and graphic design.
• Coordinate the release of factual publicly releasable information through social media press conferences interviews and other channels.
• Support planning of and execution of department-wide marketing and outreach initiatives to enhance community engagement and awareness.
• Write scripts and content for internal and external communications including journal articles and professional publications.
• Capture and edit video content using Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro X producing documentary-style and promotional pieces.
• Photograph and document community events and internal recognitions for storytelling and archival purposes.

• Facilitate Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) and Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests in coordination with the Police Legal Advisor Chain-of-Command and Records Section.
• Assist media in obtaining appropriate versions of offense reports.
• Maintain organized records of all media advisories and news releases in accordance with records retention policies.
• Monitor daily news coverage (TV radio print online) and alert leadership to stories impacting CSPD.
• Plan and execute events with attention to detail and strategic alignment with department goals.
• Track daily activities and deliverables in a structured format to support monthly and annual reporting.
• Maintain and create content for both internal and external CSPD webpages ensuring information is up to date and accurate.
• Assist with internal communications through department emails digital communications and graphic design.
• Collaborate with CSPD recruiting officer and Human Resources to assist in the execution of comprehensive recruiting communications.
• Collaborate with the CSPD Community Relations Team to plan promote and execute community events such as the Pikes Peak Regional Peace Officer Memorial and other community wide events.

• Knowledge of Communications Strategy Elements and how to utilize them.
• Strong writing editing and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of open records laws (CCJRA/CORA) and public sector communications.
• Ability to work under pressure respond quickly to breaking news and maintain professionalism in high-stress situations.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and respectful working relationships with staff media and the public.
• Knowledge of social media platforms.
• Ability to design edit and update webpages.

We value a diverse range of qualifications and experiences. Our organization views each year of further education that is related to this position as equivalent to each year of relevant work experience and each year of additional relevant work experience as equivalent to each year of required education.

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related area of study preferably communications marketing journalism or media relations.

• Five years of full-time professional experience in a related field preferably in public relations communications digital media content creation or marketing.

• Must possess a Colorado drivers license within 30 days of hire.

The following qualifications are not required but they are considered desirable. If you possess any of the preferred qualifications please include specific details in your application. This information may be used to identify a top group of applicants.

• Proven experience in media relations journalism public affairs or a related field.

• Proficiency in video production and editing software (Adobe Premiere Final Cut Pro X).

• Experience managing social media platforms and strategies.

Please contact CSPD Human Resources atfor any questions about this position.

Pre-employment Requirements: The job offer will be contingent upon successful completion of a polygraph examination fingerprinting extensive background check and other pre-employment assessments.

Applicants that have used marijuana or CBD products within 3 months from the date of their application submissionwill not be eligible for hire. More information about the Colorado Springs Police Departments Marijuana Use Policy can be found here.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Colorado Springs is committed to a culture that values our employees unique individual qualities and fosters an inclusive environment where people want to be.

The City of Colorado Springs offers additional compensation depending on the position area of assignment and specific job assignments including shift differential pay differential acting or lead special assignment hazard pay longevity cell phone allowance uniform allowance relocation awards standby call out compensatory time off tuition overtime extra duty incentive holiday premium proficiency and vacation sell back.

NOTE: This job announcement is not intended to include a complete listing of all responsibilities knowledge skills and abilities associated with the position.

The City does not sponsor applicants for work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1 H-1B or TN visas). Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Apply to Join Our Team

• Please visit theCity of Colorado Springs Careers pageand review our opportunities. Click on Apply button to complete an online application for any position of interest. All job applicants will need to create a new login and online application (unless you already have a Government Jobs user ID and password).

• Completing your application in full including the entire work experience section will assist Human Resources in the applicant screening process. Your application may not be considered if all of the information requested for each employer you list is not provided.

• Applicants may redact information from their resumes certifications transcripts or any other additional application materials that identify the applicants age date of birth or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

• We encourage candidates with out-of-state credentials to inquire about expedited processing of Colorado licensing with the Colorado Occupational Credential Portability information can be found at the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Licensing Portability page

• Our Government Jobs application system does not allow you to edit your application after it has been submitted for a position. If you want to make changes you may submit another application prior to the positions closing date and time listed in the job posting. HR will review the last application you submit for a position.

The Citys job classifications including physical demands and descriptions can be found on theColorado Springs Class Specifications page

You can view the status of your application on the City of Colorado Springs Careers page.

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