Public Information Officer

Make an impact: 
The Public Information Officer will play a vital role in managing the City's communications, media relations, and public engagement efforts, ensuring transparency and effective outreach across multiple platforms. At the City of Salem, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, responsive, and equitable services that meet the needs of our community. Communication is about building an engaged community. We believe everyone benefits and is best served through open, honest, frequent and meaningful dialog. If you have a talent for crafting compelling messages and building strong relationships with the community and media, we encourage you to apply! 

The City Manager's Office helps to organize, coordinate, and manage City government operations based on City Council direction, state and federal law, and City ordinance. Staff in the office support the Mayor and City Council, advisory boards and commissions, citywide initiatives, and legislative activities of the City. This work is often fast-paced or taking place in response to emergency situations, which can occur at any time. During emergencies, the PIO may serve as the Chief Communications Officer at the Emergency Operations Center.
 
Learn and grow:
Be part of an organization that provides a friendly work environment, and work life balance with competitive pay, outstanding benefits, and opportunities to develop your skills and grow within the organization.

What you will do:
The City of Salem's Public Information Officer (PIO) plays a key role in the City’s collaborative communications team, working alongside professionals across departments to inform and engage the community. PIOs serve as spokespersons within their areas of expertise, developing, coordinating, and evaluating content and outreach initiatives to effectively share the City's story with diverse audiences.

The PIO's role involves crafting and executing communication strategies that enhance public awareness, foster citizen participation, and support the City's mission. PIOs provide strategic counsel and communications support to the City Manager's Office, Mayor, City Council, and various departments. They utilize a comprehensive suite of tools, including public relations, media relations, branding, web and digital media, and community engagement efforts to ensure transparent, accurate, and impactful messaging that strengthens public trust in City government.

Additional information on job responsibilities:
To be successful in this position, candidates should demonstrate progressive experience in media relations, community and customer engagement, marketing and digital marketing, communications, public relations, or media relations, including ability to:

• Conduct on-camera interviews and maintain effective working relationships with the media.
• Develop multimedia content for integration across multiple platforms, including managing and measuring performance of messages and campaigns to encourage public engagement, working knowledge of new media, social media and web-based methods of communication and engagement.
• Communicate effectively through outstanding verbal and written communication skills tailored to be appropriate for the needs of the audience skills, including listening and public speaking skills.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management, elected officials, and community to best represent the organization effectively in public settings and with the media.
• Remain current and/or certified in emergency, crisis and risk management communication techniques and best practices. 

This position requires timely and organized responses to media inquiries and other external entities, including outside of standard business hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.), including weekends and holidays.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness and assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• Position schedule is Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Our team follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks and manager approval. This is subject to change based on business needs.
• The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.

What are the minimum qualifications? 

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Must have an Oregon Driver license and a driving record that meets the City of Salem's driving standards.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, urban and regional planning, public policy, communications, economics, or a related field, and five years of experience in a related field, or any combination of experience and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.
• Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.

Preferred Qualifications (Not required to apply): 

• Four (4) years of supervisory or program/project management experience in customer engagement, marketing, communications, or media relations; public sector or local government setting experience preferred.
• Course work in public engagement and communication with emphasis on the public sector.
• Training or certifications in public information practices for emergencies such as National Incident Management System (NIMS) training through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• Granicus web-publishing and social media experience.
• Spanish language communication skills.

About us:
Salem is the second largest city in Oregon and the capital city. Centrally located in the Willamette Valley, Salem is 49 square miles in size and extends across to counties, Marion and Polk. The community has well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings with wide diversity and a family-friendly ambiance. The city is home to nearly 180,000 residents. For a full community profile detailing demographics and housing statistics, visit the City of Salem website.

The City of Salem organization has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City of Salem employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members and works collaboratively with five labor unions.

Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Program Manager, II.
 
How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
   
To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.
   
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City of Salem through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs.

This announcement is not an implied contract and may be modified or revoked without notice.

Salary : $6,763 - $9,086