Public Information Officer

The City is seeking a results-driven professional capable of showcasing tangible outcomes derived from their prior experiences in communications and public relations. The Public Information Officer (PIO) for the City of Independence is a proactive individual who eagerly identifies opportunities for communication and community involvement. Our ideal candidate will be tech-savvy possessing a keen understanding of digital platforms and demonstrating proficiency in crisis communication. This person has an entrepreneurial spirit and is highly valued reflecting a proactive and risk-taking approach. This role demands a continuous learner staying on top of industry trends and someone skilled at crafting compelling narratives that deeply resonate with our community. We are looking for a candidate who not only meets the educational and experiential requirements but also brings a forward-thinking innovative and results-oriented mindset to the RECEIVEDWorks under the general supervision of the Assistant City Manager of Internal OperationsSUPERVISION EXERCISEDProvides close to general supervision to the department staff reporting to the FUNCTIONSPlans develops and implements departmental public information and public relations programs; works with departmental officials to determine public information and public relations needs; develops overall strategy to address public information and public relations needs promote departmental services and enhance customer and community with departmental officials in gathering and disseminating information about departmental functions; coordinates the activities of employees engaged in performing research on departmental functions and activities; prepares edits and directs the production and distribution of informational concepts for informational and promotional programs; prepares program materials such as speeches talking points handouts brochures and activities schedules; develops and maintains contacts lists; oversees the production of press kits and arranges for print and electronic media coverage including social media for special departmental news and functions utilizing a variety of news media including social media or departmental officials regarding public relations programs and the response to media questions; prepares speeches news releases and official announcements; arranges press conferences and radio and television interviews for departmental officials; serves as spokesperson for the department at media events and community and maintains liaison with representatives of news media; establishes contacts with community groups to encourage community participation and develops programs and strategies to enhance the publics perception of departmental news releases speeches fact sheets event rundowns citations ceremonial documents and other informational materials for City departments and agencies; conducts research and contacts community and civic agencies to gather data required to prepare informational web application technology to write edit and adapt accurate and editorially consistent social media or internet content for web site; collaborates with and guides content specialists in developing customer-friendly web site copy; may use software to edit graphics and photos for web represent the City at community events meetings press conferences and ceremonial and recommends communication and public relations plans for departmental emergency activities; reports to the site of emergency and provides information about the status; determines strategies to engage and inform the community; acts as liaison to City agencies community leaders groups and residents to provide information and obtain feedback about emergency with management to develop communication and project plan details that reduce impact on the public; determines how emergency alerts and automated communication updates are made to the public; analyzes sensitive customer service problems and collaborates with managers to determine solutions; may draft official communications to the public and customers as required using a variety of communication formats and methods including the internet and social media staff and delegates assignments to task other duties as and Experience:Completion of a bachelors degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in journalism communications marketing media studies public relations or a related area.;ANDTwo (2) years of experience in communications creative marketing digital media or public relations that has included planning and facilitating special events for a governmental or non-profit agency;ANDTwo (2) years of experience at the full performance level in communications creative marketing digital media or public relations that has included planning and facilitating special events for a governmental agency or non-profit equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable that has included a bachelors degree as an educational minimum and the specific to complete required NIMS training within first six months of hire. This is an online training that will be Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of Current principles practices and developments in public relations and in the news media; English usage grammar rhetoric punctuation and spelling; modern journalistic principles and practices; methods and techniques of disseminating information to the public such as print electronic and social media; public relations principles and practices used in the preparation and dissemination of informational and promotional materials in all types of media; speech writing techniques including data compilation research preparation of final drafts; practices and techniques of writing promotional and informational materials; public speaking techniques; current and expanding social media; common software including Word PowerPoint Excel and related software including internet and web-based programs; web applications software for the purposes of writing and editing web content in general and for the departments own website; federal state and local laws and regulations applicable to the operations of the department if required by in Writing and editing using current web application technology and architecture; website content management; & planning and executing special events and informational to Prepare interesting and informative news releases articles speeches bulletins reports brochures and other informational materials; evaluate various subject matter materials critically from the standpoint of user interest organization of material context and style; formulate strategies to publicize departmental activities programs and special events; plan promotional programs to improve customer and community relations and encourage community participation in departmental activities; coordinate the production and dissemination of informational materials; represent the organization at municipal and community functions; communicate various aspects of departmental operations and services to the public; prepare comprehensive written reports; arrange press conferences and radio and television interviews and social media presence for departmental officials; establish and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders the public local civic and business officials and news organizations including social media; develop print and electronic communications; develop written material for content style punctuation and syntax; prepare speeches event programs and other special events and ceremonial documents for internal and external use as needed; write in multiple styles formats and different types of writing (public relations business ceremonial documents etc.); track and demonstrate results in media coverage; develop and manage departments website content and expanding social media strategies and outreach; work collaboratively and creatively to support public relations efforts the functions of the department and its related activities; present and maintain positive stories in the news media including the emerging social media or other online/digital marketing; prioritize work duties and communicate in a clear concise manner; speak read and write fluently in the English language; and evaluate and recommend a communication plan and plan action to be taken in response to an Environment:While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to walk sit use hands to finger handle or feel and talk or hear; work is performed in a normal office environment and will have exposure to outdoor temperatures or dirt and dust at checkDrug TestingAdditional testing and/or examinations may be required for further consideration on this open until filled. First review of applicants 4/13/ Employment Opportunity Statement The City of Independence is an Equal Opportunity Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race color religion national origin ancestry marital status veteran status age disability pregnancy genetic information citizenship status sex sexual orientation gender identity or any other legally protected category. The City of Independence is a background screening drug-free City of Independence provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job please submit your request to Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature level and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities demands and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment compensation or contract rights to any person or persons. Management reserves the right in coordination with the governing union (if applicable) to add delete or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed without notice. This job description supersedes earlier versions.