Public Safety Media Relations Administrator

Overall Job Objective

Summary of Job Duties

Salary to be commensurate with experience.

Hiring pay for this position is $90,645 /annually - $95,000/annually
Full salary range for this position is $90,645/annually - $135,957/annually

The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications throughout the year; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

City of Aurora, Colorado
It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs
• Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation work spaces

Position Information

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Communications, the Public Safety Media Relations Administrator works collaboratively and strategically to manage the operations of the media relations unit of the Aurora Police Department (APD). The person in the position will, in coordination with the Communications Deputy Director and Police leadership, be responsible for media strategy for the APD Media Unit. In addition to creating policies, strategic plans, procedures and assignments for the unit, he/she will manage relationships with media, write compelling content on police issues, assist the team with talking points, speeches and other press and presentation materials, and oversee crisis communications of the APD. This is a key position in the Communications Department and will serve on the Police Chiefs command staff and coordinate with Aurora Fire Rescue and other departments on public and media relations and crisis communications matters.

The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come-first serve basis. As soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Incumbents are responsible for:

• Key member of the Communications Department and assigned to Aurora Police Department, sharing time in each department.
• Oversee response to day-to-day requests from media of the Police Chief, Aurora Police Department and related inquiries received by the Communications Department. This will be done in collaboration with the Chiefs Command Staff and Executive Officer.
• Respond with urgency and accuracy to media and public inquiries in coordination with APD Media Unit, Deputy Director of Communications and Police leadership
• Manage and coordinate Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) requests at the APD and ensure compliance.
• Confer with the Police Executive Officer on evaluations of media relations unit staff. Assist the Executive Officer with setting media-related goals, assessment of accomplishments and input on related disciplinary aspects of police media unit team.
• Attend and participate in Communications and APD command staff meetings.
• Create media lists and manage outreach.
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant local reporters and editors.
• Staff, coordinate and write briefing documents for media interviews by members of the Aurora Police Department.
• Handle news monitoring processes of APD in coordination with the Communications Director and Deputy Director to create reports and share relevant news with city leaders and other staff.
• Research, draft and edit high-quality content including but not limited to press releases, media advisories, guest columns, articles, statements and quotes for officials.
• Provide strategy and materials for editorial boards as needed, and in coordination with the Communications Department.
• Identify and proactively pitch police stories to the media.
• Identify opportunities for city subject matter experts to be in the media.
• Produce talking points and summaries of issues for Mayor, City Council Members and City Leadership.
• Work closely with Communications staff on joint projects and strategies.
• Execute deliverables independently while maintaining a strong team relationship.
• Participate in initiatives key to the broader organization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelors degree in journalism, communications or a related field.

Experience:

• 4-5 years of professional level experience in media relations: 2 years+ of experience in government, public sector, law enforcement and/or crisis communications work.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of public and media relations strategies, principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of government and working in a governmental environment.
• Knowledge of law enforcement organizations and Incident Command Structure helpful.
• Knowledge of Crisis Communications principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA)
• Knowledge of AP style.

Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize multiple projects at once, while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated commitment and ability to advance diversity and inclusion.
• Experience working with public, executive management and/or elected officials.
• Perform work with tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written skills including AP style and editing and grammar excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to capture the voice of the organization and its officials consistently and convincingly.
• Ability to prepare and provide presentations.
• Ability to set up and break down equipment and technology for presentations, meetings and press events (in person and virtual/remote.)
• Highly organized and dependable, able to multi-task, work quickly and effectively manage numerous deadlines.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, excellent judgement and collaboration with team.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, analytical, written and verbal communication skills, and creative problem-solving techniques.
• Skill in use of computers including word processing applications
• Skill in use of social media platforms and websites
• Skill in use of virtual meeting applications and ability to host virtual meetings as needed.
• Skill in preparing and delivering effective presentations.
• Self-motivated, has a superior work ethic, is technically savvy, and has the ability to work remotely as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in media relations, preferably with some in government, law enforcement or crisis management.
• Previous experience writing for a variety of publications and purposes. Speech writing experience helpful.

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Licenses and Certifications: As assigned, specialized certifications may be required such as:

• Driver's License

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Light physical work requiring the ability to lift a maximum of 35 pounds with or without assistance
• Occasional lifting, carrying, walking and standing
• Frequent hand/eye coordination for operation of office equipment
• Vision for reading and interpreting reports and data analysis and preparation
• Frequent speech communication, hearing and listening to maintain communication with employees and citizens
• Speech communication to give instructions and provide technical direction
• Vision to read gauges and instructions and operate equipment
• Hearing/listening for instructions and warning signals

Work Environment:

• Works both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions with exposure to dust and noise.
• May also work in an office setting with overhead lighting and long periods of screen time.

Equipment Used:

• Frequently uses standard office equipment including computer, calculator, multi-line telephones, and copy/fax machines.
• Periodic use of presentation equipment.
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

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For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

If you need assistance in completing this application, please feel free to contact our office at: 303-739-7225 or visit us at 15151 E Alameda Pkwy., Suite 3500, Aurora, CO 80012.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check and drug screening. Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.