Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.
DEFINITION
Plan, prepare, and present a wide variety of community education programs intended to increase awareness of public safety operations and initiatives, increase safety, and enhance relationships with community members and partner organizations. Develop, implement, and evaluate information programming of the Department, including video, print, verbal and web-based mediums; plan and coordinate departmental events; respond to questions from the public; build community coalitions to strengthen program effectiveness; implement curriculum for schools; conduct tours, citizen classes and juvenile classes.
JOB CLASSIFICATION
Exempt, Safety Sensitive.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from assigned Department Director.
PRIMARY DUTIES - The following are examples of primary duties assigned to positions in this classification. Other related duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
1. Develop and conduct a community outreach analysis of the department and community to determine gaps that need to be addressed through education and policy; develop, schedule, and present age and audience appropriate educational programs designed to promote crime reduction and safety practices; gather information and prepare a variety of reports and records; maintain logs and records of activities and events.
2. Establish and maintain favorable relationships with local community groups, school organizations, health care and other care giving organizations, business associations, local government officials and agencies, and individuals to foster understanding.
3. Respond to questions from the public with applicable facts and recommended practices.
4. Assist with the development and continual improvement of crime prevention and educational programs by remaining current with new information, technologies, and resources to provide a high quality, cost effective, and efficient program while building community coalitions to strengthen program effectiveness.
5. Manage applicable department programs designed to identify, evaluate, and educate the community.
6. Serve as department representative on a variety of internal and external committees as assigned.
7. Develop and maintain relationships with all forms of media to support the Department by serving as a spokesperson and point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the department positively; assist with the engagement, cultivation, and management of media relations to ensure coverage of the department’s activities and advancement of department’s mission and goals; work with staff in other City departments and outside agencies to prepare communications and promotional items for specific projects.
8. Utilize social media platforms in the development and design of Community Education programs.
9. Assist with communication during emergency and non-emergency events; prepare and deliver press releases, public service announcements, talking points, speeches, presentations, emergency messaging, threats, or risk-related events, and any other supporting verbal and/or written communication vehicles to ensure message consistency; prepare written material for the department including blog and social media posts; take photographs of various events and occasions; oversee the writing, design, and printing functions; maintain department pages on City website with accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information.
10. Coordinate, establish, and maintain two-way communication between assigned department, staff and its various external and internal customers; provide strategic leadership in media relations and communications in addition to communications advice and counsel to department leadership and personnel.
11. Assist in all manners of employment recruiting and retention practices, including but not limited to developing recruiting materials; maintaining a recruitment website, targeted marketing strategies for generating interest from external candidates.
12. Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Public relations and media relations strategies and techniques
Operations, services, and activities of a community education program.
Effective communication and public speaking techniques.
Principles and practices of adult, teen, and child educational development.
Operational characteristics of audio-visual production and presentation equipment.
Learning theory and educational methodology.
Social media platforms.
Marketing and promotional methods and techniques.
Basic video and audio production and editing.
Principles and practices of media relations.
Methods and techniques of filing and record keeping.
Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.
English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Oral and written communication techniques and skills.
Office procedures and equipment including computers and various software applications.
Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations.
Ability to:
Develop concise, comprehensive and understandable public information materials.
Maintain positive and constructive written and oral communications skills.
Develop and present educational programs.
Manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
Work in a progressive and team-oriented environment.
Provide excellent service to the community.
Promote a positive and professional image of the Department.
Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manual.
Write routine reports and correspondence.
Elicit community and organizational support for department programs.
Present information and speak effectively before large or small audiences.
Respond to scenes at various times of the day or night when requested.
Speak, read, comprehend, and write the English language fluently.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Minimum Requirements:
Experience:
Minimum of two (2) years increasingly responsible experience teaching or instruction experience. Public safety and media relations experience preferred. Experience in public speaking, website development, communication technologies to include social media, and skilled in collaboration with others to develop an effective message is necessary.
Training:
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in education, mass media/communication, program development, or public speaking.
Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be submitted.
License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Colorado Driver’s License.
Ability to obtain IS 100, 200, 700, and 800 ICS/NIMS certificates within one year of employment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Environmental Conditions:
The job is performed in the following working environment:
Office environment; exposure to computer screens.
Field environment.
The following condition(s) may be present on a continuing basis:
Local, regional, and/or national Travel
Physical Conditions:
The job is characterized by:
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.
The following physical activities are very or extremely important in accomplishing the job’s purpose and are performed on a daily basis:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for prolonged periods. The employee is regularly required to see, hear, talk, stand, twist and use repetitive motions in the conduct of work. The employee will be exposed to varying weather conditions that may be hot, cold, or wet and may be called to emergency or nonemergency scenes at all hours. The employee is also required to perform light lifting.