City of Alexandria
Senior Public Safety Information Officer
The City of Alexandria is located in Northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh-largest City in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria is a unique and historic city with a charming waterfront. Approximately one-quarter of the City's square miles are designated as national or local historic districts. It is with pride that we embrace our history and seize the many opportunities that lie ahead. The City of Alexandria invites qualified applicants who are interested in working for the City to apply for the position of Senior Public Safety Information Officer.
An Overview A Senior Public Safety Information Officer plans and implements information programs for the dissemination of authorized information to the media for a public safety agency. The employee in this class acts as the official spokesperson and primary media contact for the Sheriff’s Office. The work of this class involves the determination of what information may be released to the media, ensuring that appropriate releases are prepared in a standard acceptable format for print, digital and broadcast media. The employee in this class works under the general supervision of a senior commander who reviews work through adherence to office policies and the results obtained. Staff coordination is exercised for the dissemination of all information.
Illustrative Examples of Work
Acts as the senior public information/public relations advisor to the office in the formulation of public information policies and the implementation of public information activities and programs;
Disseminates authorized information to the media and other agencies through written and verbal communication formats;
Secures media coverage of programs and activities of the office that serve the community;
Reviews and analyzes written reports to determine the value of information for release purposes;
Responds to the scene of major incidents and/or attends meetings and collects pertinent information for reports and media releases;
Responds to media questions, including on-camera interviews;
Keeps the Sheriff or other senior commanders abreast of major incidents and issues;
Researches specific media inquiries that require statistics, background, or interviews with other office personnel and approves and coordinates interviews;
Plans photographic coverage to support public information activities and programs and maintains media coverage and broadcast outlines;
Provides public information and public relations advice and counsel to all divisions, units and individuals within the Office;
Creates digital monthly newsletters and annual reports highlighting the office’s accomplishments, public safety initiatives, and priorities;
Takes photos and short videos of office programs, employee activities, and staff participation in community events;
Creates and shares engaging and timely content on the office’s social media platforms;
Serves as the office’s primary webmaster and creates and maintains timely and informative content on the public-facing and internal websites;
Prepares speeches, statements, correspondence, and internal messages for the Sheriff or other senior commanders, with attention to tone, style, and length appropriate for purpose and audience;
Maintains documentation to support accreditation standards related to media relations and public information;
Performs related work as required.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public information work and the organization and functions of local governments; good knowledge of the requirements of broadcast media and the ability to prepare material for their use; some knowledge of laws and policies governing the release of confidential and sensitive information; skill in writing and editing materials for publication; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with media, the public, City employees, and other public and private agencies; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
About the Office The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is responsible for the operation of the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, security of the Alexandria Courthouse, service of court legal documents, execution of court orders, transportation of prisoners, and general public safety and law enforcement.
The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is a highly professional organization with a combined staff of 203, including sworn deputy sheriffs and civilian personnel. The Office is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. The Office has been honored by the National Sheriff's Association with the prestigious "Triple Crown Award" for achieving these accreditations. The Office is also Virginia State certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Corrections.
Two-year college degree; knowledge of and experience in public relations, public information or publications editing work; and completion of college-level courses in journalism, public administration, government, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The employee must possess a valid driver's license issued by state of residence.
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, media relations, or a closely related field. Five or more years of experience in communications, public safety media relations; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public information work and the organization and functions of local governments; strong communication skills and experience with digital content creation, communications strategy and knowledge of the requirements of broadcast media and the ability to prepare material for their use; prior experience (sworn or non-sworn) in law enforcement or a related public safety field; excellent computer skills including social media proficiency, proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, and proficiency in Canva or Adobe InDesign are highly desirable; outstanding writing, editing and proofreading abilities; fluency in another world language.
Applicants must submit a sample of their work product demonstrating experience in public information or communications. This position requires a polygraph exam, drug screening, and local and federal criminal history checks as part of the applicant background investigation.
There is no telework option for this position.
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An Overview A Senior Public Safety Information Officer plans and implements information programs for the dissemination of authorized information to the media for a public safety agency. The employee in this class acts as the official spokesperson and primary media contact for the Sheriff’s Office. The work of this class involves the determination of what information may be released to the media, ensuring that appropriate releases are prepared in a standard acceptable format for print, digital and broadcast media. The employee in this class works under the general supervision of a senior commander who reviews work through adherence to office policies and the results obtained. Staff coordination is exercised for the dissemination of all information.
Illustrative Examples of Work
Acts as the senior public information/public relations advisor to the office in the formulation of public information policies and the implementation of public information activities and programs;
Disseminates authorized information to the media and other agencies through written and verbal communication formats;
Secures media coverage of programs and activities of the office that serve the community;
Reviews and analyzes written reports to determine the value of information for release purposes;
Responds to the scene of major incidents and/or attends meetings and collects pertinent information for reports and media releases;
Responds to media questions, including on-camera interviews;
Keeps the Sheriff or other senior commanders abreast of major incidents and issues;
Researches specific media inquiries that require statistics, background, or interviews with other office personnel and approves and coordinates interviews;
Plans photographic coverage to support public information activities and programs and maintains media coverage and broadcast outlines;
Provides public information and public relations advice and counsel to all divisions, units and individuals within the Office;
Creates digital monthly newsletters and annual reports highlighting the office’s accomplishments, public safety initiatives, and priorities;
Takes photos and short videos of office programs, employee activities, and staff participation in community events;
Creates and shares engaging and timely content on the office’s social media platforms;
Serves as the office’s primary webmaster and creates and maintains timely and informative content on the public-facing and internal websites;
Prepares speeches, statements, correspondence, and internal messages for the Sheriff or other senior commanders, with attention to tone, style, and length appropriate for purpose and audience;
Maintains documentation to support accreditation standards related to media relations and public information;
Performs related work as required.
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public information work and the organization and functions of local governments; good knowledge of the requirements of broadcast media and the ability to prepare material for their use; some knowledge of laws and policies governing the release of confidential and sensitive information; skill in writing and editing materials for publication; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with media, the public, City employees, and other public and private agencies; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
About the Office The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is responsible for the operation of the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, security of the Alexandria Courthouse, service of court legal documents, execution of court orders, transportation of prisoners, and general public safety and law enforcement.
The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is a highly professional organization with a combined staff of 203, including sworn deputy sheriffs and civilian personnel. The Office is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Commission on Accreditation for Corrections, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. The Office has been honored by the National Sheriff's Association with the prestigious "Triple Crown Award" for achieving these accreditations. The Office is also Virginia State certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Corrections.
Two-year college degree; knowledge of and experience in public relations, public information or publications editing work; and completion of college-level courses in journalism, public administration, government, or a related field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. The employee must possess a valid driver's license issued by state of residence.
Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, media relations, or a closely related field. Five or more years of experience in communications, public safety media relations; thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of public information work and the organization and functions of local governments; strong communication skills and experience with digital content creation, communications strategy and knowledge of the requirements of broadcast media and the ability to prepare material for their use; prior experience (sworn or non-sworn) in law enforcement or a related public safety field; excellent computer skills including social media proficiency, proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, and proficiency in Canva or Adobe InDesign are highly desirable; outstanding writing, editing and proofreading abilities; fluency in another world language.
Applicants must submit a sample of their work product demonstrating experience in public information or communications. This position requires a polygraph exam, drug screening, and local and federal criminal history checks as part of the applicant background investigation.
There is no telework option for this position.
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