Public Information Officer

City of Indianola•Indianola, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Indianola is currently welcoming applications for the position of Public Information Officer. The City of Indianola (pop. 16,069) is a growing community with a historic downtown, located approximately 15 minutes south of Des Moines. It is a safe community with Midwestern values, friendly people and excellent schools. Indianola, which is home to Simpson College, the world-renowned Des Moines Metro Opera and the National Balloon Museum and U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame, is known for its excellent access to outdoor activities, a nice trail system, five major parks and two golf courses. The community welcomes thousands of visitors annually who come to Indianola to enjoy major events such as the National Balloon Classic, the Warren County Fair and other events. The Public Information Officer serves as the City of Indianola's primary communications professional, responsible for implementing the City's public information program and supporting consistent, accurate messaging across departments. This position manages the City's digital platforms, social media presence, media relations activities, crisis and emergency communications in partnership with City leadership, and marketing support to ensure timely, accessible public communication.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.
Minimum of two years of experience in communications, public relations, media relations, or a related field; municipal or public sector experience preferred.
See attached job description for full list of duties and qualifications.

Responsibilities

Serve as the City's official spokesperson and primary contact for media inquiries; draft, review, and distribute press releases, media advisories, official statements, and public notices.
Administer the City's primary social media accounts across platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, and LinkedIn; develop content, manage a publishing calendar, monitor engagement, and coordinate responses.
Produce core communication materials including news releases, newsletters, event promotions, digital graphics, photography, short-form video, flyers, and other print and digital assets aligned with City brand standards and AP Style guidelines.
Coordinate with department staff and designated Communication Contacts to gather information, support content development, and ensure accurate public-facing communications.
Serve as the designated Public Information Officer (PIO) within the City's Incident Command System (ICS) structure during emergency operations, local disaster declarations, or Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activations.
Monitor media coverage, public sentiment, and communication trends; track and report on performance metrics including social media engagement and website analytics to the Innovation and Internal Services Director.