What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Information Officer-Casper Police Department position at City of Casper, WY?
Class Summary
Are you passionate about communications and public relations? The City of Casper is seeking a dynamic, self-motivated individual to serve as a Public Information Officer for the Police Department. In this essential role, you will be the key liaison between the department, the public, and the media, helping to ensure clear, transparent, and effective communication. You will manage media relations, oversee public information campaigns, coordinate press conferences, and create compelling content for social media and the department’s website. If you have a background in public relations, journalism, or communications, with a strong ability to work independently and handle crisis situations, we want you on our team.
This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to your community while working in a fast-paced, impactful environment. Join us and make a difference at the Casper Police Department and in the City of Casper!
Incumbent is responsible for acting as a liaison between the Police Department, the public, and the news media.
REPORTING STRUCTURE:
Receives general supervision from a Police Captain or the Police Chief.
Typical Class Essential Duties
1.Functions as an individual contributor with respect to police public information programs; must apply a significant degree of initiative and independent judgement.
2.Oversees media training of key department spokespersons.
3.Coordinates media efforts, press conferences (as needed), and public communications during police emergency response events; collaborates with the City’s Public Engagement team (as needed).
4.Establishes, develops, and maintains contact with authorized local, national, and international media, professional and civic organizations, and other special interest groups to promote agency programs.
5.Supports the Chief of Police and Command Staff with prewritten statements and messages for media interviews and appearances.
6.Maintains the Police Department’s website and other social media outlets including developing clear, creative, and compelling content, such as public service announcements.
7.Develops and implements strategic communication plans for community outreach needs in conjunction with the City’s Community Engagement Team.
8.Prepares comprehensive reports and presentations about the Police Department for, the public, community groups, and City Council, at the direction of the Chief of Police.
9.Responds to media inquiries relating to the Police Department and coordinates interviews and timely information response.
10.Participates in the coordination and administration of city communication teams or programs as assigned by the Chief of Police.
11.Represents the City of Casper by responding to the public, citizens, its employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner while continuously maintaining a positive customer service demeanor.
12.Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
Knowledge (position requirements at entry):
Knowledge of:
2.Oversees media training of key department spokespersons.
3.Coordinates media efforts, press conferences (as needed), and public communications during police emergency response events; collaborates with the City’s Public Engagement team (as needed).
4.Establishes, develops, and maintains contact with authorized local, national, and international media, professional and civic organizations, and other special interest groups to promote agency programs.
5.Supports the Chief of Police and Command Staff with prewritten statements and messages for media interviews and appearances.
6.Maintains the Police Department’s website and other social media outlets including developing clear, creative, and compelling content, such as public service announcements.
7.Develops and implements strategic communication plans for community outreach needs in conjunction with the City’s Community Engagement Team.
8.Prepares comprehensive reports and presentations about the Police Department for, the public, community groups, and City Council, at the direction of the Chief of Police.
9.Responds to media inquiries relating to the Police Department and coordinates interviews and timely information response.
10.Participates in the coordination and administration of city communication teams or programs as assigned by the Chief of Police.
11.Represents the City of Casper by responding to the public, citizens, its employees, and others in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner while continuously maintaining a positive customer service demeanor.
12.Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.
Knowledge (position requirements at entry):
Knowledge of:
- Social media, print, electronic, radio/television, and other media used to distribute public information.
- AP Writing Style.
- Public and community relations.
- Confidentiality and pertinent privacy laws.
- Customer service principles.
- Public Information Act, its application and compliance requirements.
- Leadership principles.
- Basic math.
- Record keeping and file management principles.
- Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes.
- Social media platforms and management of those systems.
- Modern office procedures, methods, and use of technological equipment including database management.
Abilities (position requirements at entry):
Ability to:
Skills (position requirements at entry):
Skill in:
Ability to:
- Routinely demonstrate the City of Casper core values.
- Follow all City safety rules and procedures and immediately respond to/investigate observations or employee reports of accidents/incidents or unsafe conditions.
- Work a variety of call out times including weekends, nights, and holidays as needed.
- Work professionally and effectively with the public and emergency responders in crisis situations.
- Communicate tactfully and diplomatically with external customers and department personnel at all levels.
- Earn and maintain the trust of employees and the community through transparent communication
- Perform videography, photography, and graphic design.
- Learn local geography, street names, directional orientation, and landmarks.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Consistently demonstrate integrity in all areas.
- Coordinate events and groups of people, including small and large-scale public events.
- Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
- Organize work to consistently handle multiple tasks simultaneously and ensure that workflow and administrative requirements are completed in an efficient and timely manner.
- Organize records in an easily retrievable fashion.
- Operate a variety of modern office equipment and tools.
- Work independently on a variety of tasks simultaneously in the absence of supervision.
- Create presentations and speak in public.
- Maintain a neat and professional appearance.
- Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Follow written and verbal instructions and direction.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Skills (position requirements at entry):
Skill in:
- Extensive interpersonal skills required to respond to non-routine and/or technical questions and complaints.
- Coordinating events and groups of people.
- Dealing in a courteous, knowledgeable, and tactful manner with staff and general public.
- Working on several projects or issues simultaneously.
- Program and project management.
- Technical writing.
- Public speaking.
- Conflict resolution.
- Marketing.
- Maintaining a calm composure in crisis situations.
- Explaining legal processes in common terms.
- Working independently in the absence of supervision.
- Gathering information; preparing articles, graphics, and pictures for newsletters and publications online and print formats.
- Oral and written communication, sufficient to exchange or convey effective information and to receive work direction.
- Adobe Creative Suite.
- Editing professional videos.
- Training others in how to effectively speak with the media.
Training, Experience & Certifications
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- High school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.) required.
- Minimum of two (2) years of professional experience in public or media relations, writing-intensive position preferable in related function.
- Public sector/local government experience preferred.
- Associate’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as listed below.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Bilingual Spanish/English skills preferred.
LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
- Possession of a valid Wyoming Driver’s License preferred.
Supplemental Information & Physical Requirements
The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.
Employment with the City of Casper is contingent upon a successful background screen and pre-employment drug test. Applicants who have failed a pre-employment screen or have been terminated from the City of Casper are ineligible for employment consideration for 12 months. You will become eligible for consideration 12 months from the date of your incident (pre-employment screen or termination).
As a condition of employment, the successful candidate must utilize direct deposit for payroll purposes.
Driving records are required for all new employees regardless of the position's driving requirements. If the employee has not held a Wyoming driver's license for the last three years, the employee must provide at their own initiation and expense a driving record from their previous state(s) of residence.
Physical and Environmental Conditions:
City of Casper employees in data creation and modification, security sensitive or safety and protective positions are subject to pre-employment drug testing. Some employees may be subject to random drug testing if their responsibilities include:
- Emergency response/rescue
- Handling or working with hazardous materials, including chemicals as well as solid and liquid waste
- Operating or maintaining water and wastewater systems
- Writing or modifying code, maintaining or modifying City data systems including work on networks, servers, and communication systems
- CDL operations and driving
- Operating power-driven machinery or equipment
- Creating or modifying health, financial, security and or risk documents or assessments
- Working with or directing minors
Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Incumbents in this position typically work indoors in an office environment and are subject to the common noises associated with office work including telephones, copiers, and printers. The position requires frequent sitting, typing, and customer contact, both by telephone and in person.
Casper is a great place to live, work and play!
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Working at the City of Casper
The City of Casper offers a variety of benefits to full-time employees. For more information on any of our benefits, please call Human Resources at (307) 235-8344.
Benefit Programs: Look at these amazing benefits!
- CIGNA Health
- Delta Dental
- VSP Vision
- Medical Reimbursement Account, Flexible Spending
- MASA Supplementary Ambulance Care
- Voya Supplementary Hospital, Accident, and Critical Illness Plans
- Short-term and Long-term Disability Options
- Life Insurance
- 457/IRA Retirement Options
- Employees Family Assistance Program (EFAP) Free Counseling Services
- Pet Insurance
- Legal Shield/ID Shield
- Ten Paid Holidays Annually
- Wyoming Retirement System - Retirement Income for life. Employer match exceeds employee contribution.
- Public Employee Pension Plan:
- Employer 9.37% Employee 9.25%
- Law Enforcement Pension Plan
- Employer 10.6% Employee 6.6%
- Paid Fire B Pension Plan
- Employer 16.00% Employee 11.245%
- Public Employee Pension Plan:
Tuition Reimbursement: Reimbursement % is based on grade level received. Includes books and some fees.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): The City of Casper may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Visit https://studentaid.gov/pslf/ to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.
Cordico - Mobile Wellness Ap: On-demand access to relevant trusted and effective wellness resources.
Employee Assistance Program: Free counseling available to employees and their immediate family members.
Ergonomic Assessments: Review of your workstation and recommendations made by our Risk Management team to ensure a safe and comfortable work environment.
Additional Benefits and Annual Fun Events:
Service Awards Luncheon - To recognize and celebrate years of service, employees who reach a 5-year milestone with the City are invited to an annual luncheon. This event includes catered food, awards, and great door prizes.
Annual Employee Golf Tournament - Swing into Fun: Join us for our annual employee golf tournament. This event is typically in late Summer at our Municipal Golf Course and offers food and door prizes. Open to current employees, retirees, and family members.
Employee Holiday Breakfast – Indulge in a delicious hearty breakfast and enjoy the company of the great employees at the City of Casper. We invite all employees to kick off the holiday season with our Annual Holiday Breakfast.
Chili Skate Night – Lace up your skates! Get ready to glide and slide at our Employee Chili Skate Night at the Casper Ice Arena. Employees and their families are invited to join us for an evening of icy fun and delicious chili.
Wellness Programs – Drawings for cash prizes for participants. Free access to the Casper Recreation Center for qualifying employees.
Leadership and Employee Development – We believe in nurturing talent, empowering individuals, and cultivating a culture of growth and success. Human Resources provides employee training and mentoring opportunities to foster leadership and employee development within our organization.
