Public Information Coordinator

POSITION POSTING: #2026-10
POSITION: PUBLIC INFORMATION COORDINATOR
D E P AR T ME N T:               INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
STATUS:                            EXEMPT
REPORTS TO:                  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
SHIFT:                                REGULAR-40 HOURS PER WEEK
SALARY:                            $33,396-$55,000 ANNUALLY (SALARY IS DEPENDENT ON EXPERIENCE)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Under the general supervision of the IT Director, serves as the City’s primary liaison to the public and media. Responsible for planning and coordinating assigned Citywide communications and outreach initiatives, including strategic messaging as directed by City Administration, public information, emergency communications, and digital content. Coordinates media relations, municipal meetings support, and communication platforms, and reviews outbound City communications to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance prior to release, as directed. Performs administrative, analytical, and departmental support duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

1. Demonstrates respect and contributes to a positive work culture.
2. Maintains enthusiasm and accountability.
3. Demonstrates dedication and professionalism.
4. Exhibits solution-oriented leadership by welcoming innovation and change.
5. Works collaboratively as part of a team.
6. Communicates effectively with staff, leadership, and the public.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Although the following are typical of the tasks and responsibilities routinely performed, additional tasks and/or responsibilities requiring comparable or lesser skills, knowledge, or dexterity may be assigned.

1. Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with City, County, State, and Federal laws, policies, procedures, and directives.
2. Prioritize and manage multiple assignments effectively in a fast-paced environment.
3. Analyze complex data, evaluate findings, and prepare clear, comprehensive reports and studies.
4. Communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally in both written and oral formats.
5. Analyze complex political, social, and community-related issues and respond to community needs.
6. Deliver effective oral presentations and written communications.
7. Represent the City professionally in meetings with government agencies, boards, commissions, community groups, media, and the public to build consensus.
8. Build and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, staff, media representatives, and the general public under diverse circumstances.
9. Operating computer hardware and applicable software used in local government environments.
10. Creative and professional writing and editing of reports, publications, and public communications on a wide range of subjects.
11. Exercising sound judgment, flexibility, creativity, and cultural sensitivity in dynamic and evolving situations.
12. Organizing, prioritizing, and completing multiple tasks and projects within established deadlines.
13. Establishing and maintaining positive, collaborative, and productive working relationships.
14. Working effectively with diverse, multicultural, and religious communities.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:
KNOWLEDGE:

1. City, County, State, and Federal laws, statutes, regulations, ordinances, codes, administrative policies, and operational guidelines related to local government operations.
2. Principles and practices of public administration, journalism, and public relations, including media requirements and standards.
3. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Public Records Request Act requirements.
4. Individual and group dynamics, including volunteers, community-based organizations, and multicultural communities.
5. Modern office practices, procedures, and the use of computer equipment and software.
6. English language usage, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, and professional writing standards.
7. Research methods, data sources, information accessibility, and report preparation techniques.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS:

1. E q u i v a l ent t o a bachelor’s degree f r o m a n a ccr ed i t ed c o ll e ge or u n i v e rs i ty w i th m a j or wo r k i n p u b l i c ad m i n i s t r at i o n, c om m u n i c a t i on s , or a c l o s e l y r e l at e d f i e l d.
2. One to three y ea r s of w o r k e x pe r i e n c e i n p u b l i c a d m i n is t r at i on t hat p r efe r a b l y i n c l u des p r ofe ssi on a l e x pe r i e n c e i n v o l vi ng t he development and coordination of p u b l i c aff a i rs , p u b li c i n f o r ma t i o n , comm u n i ty out r e a c h and s o c i al m e d i a ma r k e t i ng, c o mm u n i ty r e l a t i o ns a nd c om p l a i nt p r o c e ss i n g; the de v e l o p men t , a d m i n i s t r at i o n a nd d e li v e r y of s o c i a lly o r i e nt e d c o m mu n i t y- ba s e d p r og r a m s ; a nd wo rk i ng w i th c u l tu r a l l y and eth n i c a l l y d i v e rs e g r oup s ; o r an eq u i v a l ent c o m b i n a t i o n of t r a i n i ng a n d e x pe r i e n c e.
3. A background of one to three years of experience working in municipal government, with an emphasis on communications, public relations, community outreach, or public information preferred.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Ind o or of f i c e en v i r o n ment w i th mo d e r ate n o i s e l e v el a n d s ub j e c t to c o n s tant i n te rr u pt i o n s . May be r e qu i r ed to wo r k o u t s i d e t h e t r a d i t i o n al w o r k sc hedu l e. M ay be s ub j e c t to c a l l out an d /or c a l l - ba ck .

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
T h i s po s i t i on r e q u i r es p r o l o n ged s i t t i ng, s ta n d i n g, wa l ki ng, r e a c h i ng, tw i s t i n g , and tu r n i n g, k n e e l i n g , ben d i n g, s quat t i n g, a n d s toop i ng i n t he pe r f o r m a n c e of da il y a c t i v i t i e s . T he p o s i t i o n a l s o r eq u i r es g r a s p i ng, r epet i t i v e h a nd mo v e men t , and f i ne c oo r d i na t i o n i n p r epa r i n g d o c u m ents and r epo r ts a nd da t a u s i ng a c ompu t er k e y boa r d. A d d i t i on a ll y , t h e p o s i t i on r e q u i r e s near v i s i o n i n r e a d i n g c o rr e s pond e n c e, s ta t i s t i c a l data a n d u s i n g a c o m p ute r , a nd a c ute h ea ri ng i s r eq u i r ed w h en p r o v i d i n g p ho n e s e r v i c e a nd c omm u n i c a t i ng i n pe rs o n . May be r eq u i r ed to li ft a n d / or c a rr y hea vy , b u l k y s upp li e s , ma t e r i a l s , e q u i pm e nt and / or i t ems w e i gh i ng up t o 40 p ou n d s with or without reasonable accommodation . It i s cr i t i c al t hat t he i n d i vi du a l i n t h i s p o s i t i on me e t e s t ab l i s h e d c u s tomer s e rv i c e ob j e c t i v es and p r o v i de s t a ff l e a de rs h i p i n c u s t o mer s e rv i c e to te c h n i c i ans a nd ad m i n i s t r at i v e s u ppo r t, ot h er C i ty e m p l o y e es a n d c on s u l t a nt s .

WORK SCHEDULE:
The regular work week is 8 hours a day and 5 days a week with one hour off for lunch. Additional time may be required after regular hours.  Schedule to be established by supervisor.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Limited travel-ability to travel for meetings and training may be required.
2. Overnight travel may be required.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must pass a background investigation including work history, criminal records, driving records and other records deemed necessary.

CONDITIONS OF CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT:

1. Candidates must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record and insurability in accordance with the City’s insurance carrier.

DEADLINE TO SUBMIT REQUIRED APPLICATION: First review is Friday, May 22nd, 2026, and weekly thereafter. Applicants must submit required application to Human Resources at City Hall, 1028 West Community Way, Portales, N.M. 88130 or online at
I have read and understand the above position specifications for the Public Information Coordinator.  I understand the demands and expectations of the position described and to the best of my knowledge, believe I can perform these duties.
The City is an EOE and Drug Free Workplace.

Applicant Signature Date