Director of Government Communications, Operations Officer V (NCS) - Baltimore Police Department

THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION
Salary Range:

**_$95,494.00 - $152,721.00 Annually

Hiring Salary Range: _**

$95,494.00 - $124,107.00 Annually

Get to Know Us
Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or are interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here:

Job Summary
The Director of Government Communications is responsible for planning, directing, and implementing the Baltimore Police Department’s communications strategy related to legislative, governmental, and public policy matters. This position manages high-level written and verbal communications associated with City, State, and Federal legislation impacting Department operations, policy, funding, and compliance. The work of this class involves serving as the Department’s primary communications liaison to elected officials and governmental entities, translating complex legislative and regulatory actions into clear internal and external messaging, and supporting intergovernmental and lobbying efforts through strategic communications. Work is performed under general supervision of the Chief of Communications and the Chief of Staff, with considerable independent judgment and discretion.

Essential Functions

• Essential functions are performed with considerable independence and include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Plans, develops, and implements communications strategies related to legislative activity, government oversight, and public policy matters affecting the Baltimore Police Department.
• Serves as the principal communications liaison between BPD and City, State, and Federal legislative bodies.
• Monitors, analyzes, and interprets proposed and enacted legislation; prepares summaries, impact statements, and communications materials for executive leadership.
• Drafts, edits, and disseminates internal and external communications including legislative updates, policy advisories, briefing memoranda, talking points, fact sheets, and executive correspondence.
• Supports the Chief of Government Affairs by developing messaging, narratives, and communications materials in support of lobbying and intergovernmental initiatives.
• Coordinates with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, State agencies, and legislative staff to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment of messaging.
• Prepares Department leadership for legislative hearings, briefings, public meetings, and oversight proceedings.
• Responds to inquiries from elected officials, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and internal stakeholders regarding legislative and policy matters.
• Ensures legislative communications align with Department priorities, City policy, and established communications standards.
• Assists in issues management and crisis communications related to legislative action, government investigations, or policy-driven events.
• Maintains awareness of public safety legislation, government communications best practices, and emerging policy trends.
• Supports the Chief of Communications on messaging and engagement for external communications to include newsletters, public information functions, and responses to media inquiries, when required.
• Provide website support to include minor changes and updates to increase traffic to the main website, recruitment sites, and social media pages.
• Assist with electronic campaigns to include billboards, content marketing, and display advertising to achieve department goals and branding.
• Work with staff of Office of Communications on social media priorities, story pitches and crisis management.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications
Education: Have a bachelor’s degree in communications, Marketing or a related field from an accredited college or university is required.

AND

Experience: Have at least 10 years of experience with crisis communications, marketing, or government relations. Experience working with public safety agencies in an on-call capacity is preferred.

OR

Equivalency Notes: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses, Registrations, and Certificates: Have a valid Maryland Class C Noncommercial driver's license or an equivalent driver's license and be eligible to obtain a Baltimore City driver’s permit. PROVISIONAL DRIVER’S LICENSES ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. 

NOTE: YOU MUST UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE WITH THE APPLICATION AT THE TIME OF APPLYING. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the public information and public relations needs of the public safety agencies
• Knowledge of effective marketing and publicity strategies for programs and activities of the department.
• Knowledge of Baltimore City rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in planning, developing, organizing, and coordinating public information for the department.
• Skill in writing speeches, scripts, and news releases.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing to convey complex public safety topics to multiple stakeholders to include the public and government officials
• Ability to utilize all available media in order to meet the needs of the department.
• Ability to work in an on-call capacity
• Ability to speak publicly in various settings to include with media or during government hearings
• Ability to quickly and reliably respond to inquiries from media or government officials

Additional Information

Background Check
Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening and must be successfully completed.

Probation
All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 1-year mandatory probation.

Financial Disclosure
This position is required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER