Public Information Officer

$82,046 - $110,758/Yr

City Of Loveland - Loveland, CO

Full-time - Mid Level

Loveland, CO

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Public Information Officer (PIO) serves as a key communication professional for the Loveland Police Department, responsible for managing public relations, strategic communications, and marketing efforts. This role involves promoting a positive image of the police department through various media channels, responding to media inquiries, and crafting compelling content that addresses police department issues and community engagement. The PIO collaborates with city leadership and the Office of Community Engagement to ensure effective communication and outreach to the public.

Responsibilities

• Address day-to-day requests from the media, city manager, city leadership, department director, and department management team.
• Serve as an advisor to the Chief of Police on internal and external communication issues.
• Respond with urgency and accuracy to media and public inquiries in coordination with the Loveland Police Department and other departments.
• Develop innovative strategies to expand positive communication and outreach with stakeholders.
• Create and maintain up-to-date media lists and manage routine outreach.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with journalists on local, state, and national levels.
• Prepare LPD staff for media interviews and provide on-camera interviews with news media as directed.
• Handle news monitoring processes and create reports to share relevant news with LPD Command Staff and city leaders.
• Research, draft, and edit high-quality content including news releases, media advisories, and social media posts.
• Identify and proactively promote police stories to the media.
• Work closely with the City of Loveland's Office of Community Engagement on joint projects and strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in journalism, public relations, communications, marketing, broadcasting, video production, or relevant law enforcement experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in policing, journalism, communications, and/or public information preferred.
• Knowledge of City Departments, operations, processes, and community needs related to municipal government and policing.
• Working knowledge of the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA).
• Ability to effectively edit written materials and make effective written and verbal presentations.
• Ability to use computers and various software applications, including social media platforms.

Nice-to-haves

• Master's Degree preferred.
• Government and/or police experience preferred.
• Executive law enforcement experience in sensitive internal investigations.

Benefits

• Salary range of $82,045.69 - $110,757.71 per year, with a hiring range of $85,000 - $98,000 depending on qualifications and experience.