Police Public Information Specialist

City of Surprise • Surprise, AZ

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About The Position

Incumbents support the Public Information Officer (PIO) Sergeant in disseminating information to the general public and employees. The role helps improve police-community relations through engagement with internal and external stakeholders and performs supportive duties to enhance the Surprise Police Department’s relationship with the community. This includes assisting with police-related marketing and outreach programs; managing and monitoring the department’s social media channels under the direction of the PIO; and supporting the development and implementation of public safety programs. Other duties include assisting with graphic design materials, writing press releases, responding to media inquiries, and performing other duties as assigned.

Applicants whose education, training, and experience most closely meet the position’s needs may be invited to participate in a selection process that includes panel interviews. Successful candidates will undergo a post-offer, pre-employment background screening, including fingerprinting, criminal background screening, education and experience verification, a drug screen, polygraph evaluation, E-Verify, and a 39-month Motor Vehicle Department records check.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement, Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a closely related field, and two years of experience in law enforcement, social media, graphic design, and/or digital marketing; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties. Additional education cannot be substituted for experience.
• Must have a valid Arizona Driver License at the time of hire and be able to maintain it.
• Must have or be able to attain Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) Terminal Operator Certification (TOC), Level B, within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Public contact experience in governmental/community relations and/or in a law enforcement/public safety environment.

Responsibilities

• Disseminate information to the general public and employees in support of the Public Information Officer Sergeant.
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders to help improve police-community relations.
• Assist with police-related marketing and outreach programs.
• Manage and monitor the Surprise Police Department’s social media channels under the direction of the PIO.
• Support the development and implementation of public safety programs.
• Assist with developing graphic design materials.
• Write press releases.
• Respond to media inquiries.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree