Current Employment Opportunities with the City of Meridian:

Job Title: Public Safety Information Officer
Department: Mayor’s Office
Reports To: Communication Manager
Open Date: January 16, 2024
Close Date: Open Until Filled
Salary: $6,575.97 per month

Job Summary:
Plans, develops and coordinates comprehensive community education, communication, and marketing strategies for the Meridian Police Department (MPD) and the Meridian Fire Department (MFD); provides direction to the Police Department and Fire Department involving public information, internal information, and community relations activities; publicizes MPD’s and MFD’s progress and accomplishments, points of view, and programs; may develop and distribute print media.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Primary work is with MPD with regular involvement with MFD;

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with media outlets;

Serve as Police and Fire Departments media spokesperson when needed and responds to media inquiries;

Schedules and facilitates news conferences, editorial meetings and interviews with news media;

Manages MPD and MFD social media accounts;

Compiles, provides background and prepares talking points for the Chiefs and other members of the MPD and MFD for media interviews and presentations;

Manages database and maintains system of news release distribution and contact lists for distribution;

Advises administration on effective communication practices including public relations (PR) information dissemination and provides media training for staff;

Writes information releases and other messages about incidents, events, service, crime prevention and other areas of interest to the community;

Must be able to be “on-call” as well as available to work some evenings and weekends;

Speaks publicly and assists with the development of agency-wide educational programs for associations, groups, schools and other public and private organizations;

Designs, produces and/or assists with the production of brochures, flyers, slide shows, videos, displays, graphics, multimedia presentations and other informational materials;

Develops and enhances existing internal systems of communication to support PR and community relations information dissemination;

Keeps the MPD and MFD command informed of potential controversies and public issues involving public safety agencies;

Liaison with the City Communications Manager and assists with external City communication and internal communication for the departments and to City leaders;

Establishes regular communication channels with the public (i.e. newsletters, etc.);

Performs related functions as required.

Job Specifications:
At least a College Bachelor’s Degree (120 college credits or more) from a certified college is required or the equivalent education base with demonstrated knowledge of communication practices as related to Public Information Officers;

A minimum of 3 years’ related experience and/or training;

Experience with specialized publishing software such as Microsoft Word, Publisher, Photo Shop, Adobe Acrobat, and Canva to generate reports, brochures and multimedia resources;

Experience in implementation and development of crisis communication and major public information projects is preferred;

Prior experience or training in Problem Solving techniques is preferred;

Prior experience with crime statistics or records management systems is preferred;

FEMA Emergency Management Institute Public Information Officer certification is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge of the role of law enforcement and the fire department; the goals and objectives of news media organizations; and the strategies used in advertising, marketing, and promotional activities;

Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, and standards for the management, storage and disclosure of confidential and public information and current principles, techniques, methods, and objectives of public information management;

Ability to use PR strategies and communication tools to conduct public information programs for internal and external audiences;

Must have considerable knowledge of public information planning and development; information preparation and dissemination; implementation of a public information strategic plan;

Ability to exercise sound judgment regarding effective methods for communicating policies, practices, achievements, philosophies, political positions, and events to the media, the public, and employees;

Ability to develop, organize, and use public contacts and publicity and promotional strategies to promote community awareness and support;

Ability to write a variety of articles, informational releases, fact sheets, and speeches;

Ability to remain composed, articulate, and reasonably comfortable during interviews;

Ability to facilitate multimedia presentations for diverse internal and external groups;

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;

Ability to apply a variety of analytical techniques in gathering and evaluating complex data, and developing appropriate recommendations; and work independently;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

Ability to produce videos and take photos;

Must appear before an oral board and complete a polygraph and background check prior to hire;

Must complete HIPPA training;

Must respond to crime scenes as requested;

Must provide own transportation to and from MPD and MFD, related functions and activities;

Must understand the management, dynamics and problem solving in multi-media, journalism, and marketing;

Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills;

This position has been designated safety sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing.

Licensing and Certification:
Must obtain and maintain a current valid Idaho Driver’s License.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment housed at Meridian City Hall and MPD and the employee in this class is subject to inside environmental conditions;

May be required to lift up to 20 lbs.;

Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to function in a general office environment to accomplish tasks;

Weekend and evening availability required for community events, meetings, and emergency media needs;

Constantly requires clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively with public and other department members;

Constantly requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers’;

Requires frequent driving, personal mobility and physical reflexes which allow the employee to operate a motor vehicle.

Travel Requirements:
Local travel is required;

Some in state and out of state travel may be required.

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