Assistant Police Public Information Officer

City of Lynchburg•Lynchburg, VA

About The Position

The Assistant Police Public Information Officer performs community relations, media relations, public information, and content creation activities to keep the public informed about Lynchburg Police Department programs, safety initiatives, and events. The role captures visual content and tells the department’s story across multiple mediums. At the direction of the Communications Manager, the position leads day-to-day social media management, assists with website updates, and produces graphic design, photography, and video content. It also serves as a back-up Public Information Officer and builds positive relationships with media, department staff, city staff, and the community. The position collaborates on community engagement events, crime prevention programs, recruitment marketing, and public-facing materials, ensuring professional content and consistent branding. The successful candidate creates informative and engaging content, uses visual storytelling, works effectively in a fast-paced environment, balances creative projects with emergency incident support, and builds strong community relationships. The role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Criminal Justice, Marketing, or a related field is preferred.
Two or more years of experience in digital content creation, media relations, public relations, or crime prevention outreach is preferred.
Demonstrated skill in photography, video editing, graphic design, public speaking, and social media management.
Valid Virginia driver's license and an acceptable driving record according to City criteria.
Ability to write clear, engaging content for web, social media, press releases, and print.
Ability to present effectively to civic groups and respond professionally to community and media inquiries.
Ability to synthesize complex policies, technical data, and incident details into clear messaging under tight deadlines.
Ability to balance daily priorities with urgent incident support.
Must successfully complete IS100 and IS700 National Incident Management (NIMS) training within 90 days of employment; higher levels of NIMS training may also be required.
Must complete a comprehensive background investigation, including local, state, and federal criminal history checks, a sex offender registry check, a credit check, and a polygraph examination.

Nice To Haves

Experience in crime prevention education.

Responsibilities

Lead daily social media content creation, scheduling, and channel management at the direction of the Communications Manager.
Capture and edit photography and videography at department and community events.
Develop strategies to inform, engage, and build trust with the public, stakeholders, and employees.
Create and promote crime prevention initiatives, public safety campaigns, educational flyers, and digital graphics.
Serve as a back-up Public Information Officer for routine, emergency, and sensitive media inquiries.
Build and maintain positive relationships with local media, community members, and department personnel.
Assist with department website maintenance and content updates.
Represent the department at civic events and help maintain the community events calendar.
Assist department units with public-facing materials to ensure consistent municipal branding.
Monitor news coverage and public feedback regarding department activities and programs.
Respond to citizen inquiries and perform assigned administrative duties.
Work non-traditional hours when needed, including occasional nights, weekends, and emergency call-outs.