Description
Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Public Information Officer is responsible for planning and organizing comprehensive public information, community relations, open records, social media, City websites, and promoting the City of Paris as a destination for business, residents, and visitors. The Public Information Officer will also serve as the City’s Public Information Officer for emergency management. This full-time position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule including office hours, some early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Establishes and maintains positive media relations. Serves as the main contact person within the City for the media, citizenry, and other agencies. Serves as a spokesperson for the City. Serves as the City’s primary recipient for all Open Records Requests, funneling them to the City Attorney, City Clerk and other departments as appropriate for response. Manages the Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) funding. Plans and manages Public Information/Communications activities for the City, including community relations, media relations, public relations, and marketing. In coordination with other departments, manages the various City social media pages of all departments by developing, overseeing, and posting content for social media, website newsfeed, and other platforms; maintains a consistent writing style, voice, and branding across all platforms. Manages the website content, including building pages, preparing content, monitoring for maintenance, routinely checking analytics, and training other members of staff when necessary. Designs creative promotional and advertising pieces including digital content, brochures, promotional and advertising materials, and publications using a variety of media. Development and coordination of new and existing marketing and tourism media communications; create marketing campaigns. With assistance from the IT Department, manages the City audio, video, and photography equipment. Takes promotional, event and meeting photos, produces videos, and maintains records for reporting. Serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO) in conjunction with the PIO group under the City’s Emergency Operations Center which requires the ability to report for duty during disaster or crisis situations (emergencies) and assist with internal and external communications. Writes, edits, and disseminates press releases, newsletters, bulletins, information packages, and public services announcements for the City. Provides setup preparation for all board meetings using the City Hall Council Chamber; providing video and audio recording to those identified by City Management. Manages the City’s brand, logo, taglines, etc.; providing guidance to all departments necessary to protect this product while in official use. Assists with the planning, organization, and direction of special projects and special events in partnership with key staff with other city departments, such as the Police Department Community Outreach Officer, Recreational Director, Library, etc. Develops and distributes the City’s monthly newsletter, any other informational flyers and brochures, including obtaining content from all departments, proofing and editing all content. Serves as project coordinator for all city dedication, groundbreaking, and grand opening ceremonies. Performs other duties as required.
Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or related field; AND two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience, preferably within the public sector; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that will allow the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.
Microsoft Internet Explorer and other internet-based search engines; Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software; Microsoft Word processing software; Microsoft Powerpoint; and Laserfiche document storage and retrieval software. Valid driver’s license required.
