Public Information Officer

Job Summary

The Public Information Officer establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with the community, industry, and employees; develops programs or events to inform the public of the City of La Vergne’s objectives and accomplishments, arranges public appearances and activities, prepares and delivers speeches if necessary, prepares written and oral responses, responds to initial requests for information from the media and advises the Board of Mayor and Aldermen and the City Administrator of the city’s public relations strategy. This position will be subject to 24-hour call-ins to respond to a natural disaster or other emergency as deemed by the Incident Commander. Candidates are to submit a portfolio of previous work showing examples of items listed in this job description.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Must be able to work closely with elected officials and staff.
• Responsible for overall media and community relations for all City departments.
• Assists with community outreach functions.
• Proactive in anticipating the community’s & media’s needs for information.
• Responds and serves as a primary spokesperson for media inquiries.
• Creates newsletters and other marketing materials for the city.
• Leads crisis communications for citywide efforts as needed.
• Drafts correspondence and media.
• Monitors and creates content for city social media platforms.
• Writes, produces, and reviews Public Service Announcements, fact sheets, news releases, feature articles, and other information pieces for media representatives, the public, and other interested persons.
• Takes staff photos or videos of staff members and staff at city events for various video productions.
• Reviews and approves, as authorized, the release of information about the City.
• Coordinates activities with printing firms, consultants, and other agencies.
• Conducts print and television interviews as needed.
• Maintains a library of current news articles, brochures, photographs, charts, and other reference material related to the City.
• Advises the media of upcoming meetings, public announcements, and events.
• Provides general website management and prepares regular updates to the City’s website relative to current events, programs, and services.
• Conducts various publicity activities, such as speeches, exhibits, tours, and films to promote goodwill and a positive image for the City.
• Exercises good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.

• All other duties as directed by the City Administrator.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree is required from an accredited college or university in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• A minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of experience in public information, media relations, or a related professional communications role is required . Experience in a governmental or public-sector environment is preferred.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills are required .
• Canva and/or Adobe Create Cloud experience preferred.
• UT LEIC PIO Essential certification is preferred or the ability to obtain certification within 24 months of employment.
• FEMA BASIC PIO certification is preferred or the ability to obtain certification within 12 months of employment.
• Must have a valid Tennessee driver’s license.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from residents, media inquiries, regulatory agencies, or business community members.
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Ability to effectively present information to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, residents, employees, public groups, and organizations.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES

• Must be a strong communicator with elected officials, residents, and employees.
• Must be able to work successfully and effectively in stressful situations.
• Must have high energy and strong interpersonal skills.
• Knowing the principles and practices of public administration is preferred.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all parties.
• Must know current federal, state, and local legislation affecting municipal government.
• Must know journalism, public relations, marketing, and creative and technical writing principles and practices.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, including presentations to large and small groups, and have a thorough knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation rules.
• Must have the ability to analyze and interpret complex information and translate it into clear messages for the media and public.
• Must have the ability to coordinate sensitive work and personnel matters with senior management and the Legal Department.
• Must have knowledge of personal computers and all common peripherals, including monitors, printers, and other connection, communication, and storage devices, including software for word processing, spreadsheets, internet and web page design, and desktop publishing.
• Must maintain confidentiality about information learned on the job.
• Must have the ability to perform job responsibilities on time to meet scheduled deadlines.
• Possess temperament, good judgment, and human relations skills to deal and communicate with the public and other employees of the City.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn personnel policies and procedures.
• Skill in effectively communicating with people of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds, including elected and appointed officials, employees, and the public.
• Ability to attend Council meetings and other meetings outside regular work hours.
• Ability to travel to gather information or attend work-related seminars.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, this position requires the individual to maintain a stationary position for extended periods when working at a desk or in meetings, but also necessitates frequent movement to attend various events, press conferences, and meetings across different locations. This position must demonstrate the ability to transport, set up, and operate equipment and materials needed for events and presentations, occasionally requiring lifting items weighing up to 25 pounds. Dexterity for typing, handling documents, and managing PR materials is essential, along with the visual acuity to review detailed reports and digital content.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Office and Field Setting : Work is primarily conducted in an office environment but frequently includes fieldwork outside the office, attending community events, press conferences, and meetings with various stakeholders.

Noise Level : The noise level in the work environment can vary significantly. It is typically quiet in an office setting; however, events or public gatherings may involve louder environments.

Interactions : This position requires extensive interaction with the media, the public, city officials, and community organizations. A Public Information Officer must effectively communicate and maintain positive relationships with diverse groups to manage the organization's public image and respond to inquiries.

Stress Levels : The role can be highly demanding, requiring management of crisis communications, tight deadlines, and multiple projects simultaneously. Remaining professional, calm, and effective under pressure is crucial.

Safety and Health : Standard office health and safety protocols apply while in the office. When attending events or working in the field, this position must adhere to the safety guidelines pertinent to each location or event.

Schedule : This position has normal office hours from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, the nature of public relations work often requires availability outside of traditional business hours, including evenings and weekends, to manage communications, attend events, or handle public relations crises.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

THE CITY OF LA VERGNE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, SEX, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, OR VETERAN STATUS IN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.