The Public Safety Public Information Officer (PSPIO) supports the efforts of the police and fire departments to foster media relationships, serve as an inter-departmental consultant, engage the community, create communication collateral, responds to emergencies, and in concert with the executive teams of the police and fire departments, lead departmental responses to media inquiries, coordinate press conferences, and media interviews, and respond as directed during emergency situations. The PSPIO’s intended audience includes residents, members of the media, department employees and community groups.

Scope of Responsibility:
The PSPIO performs duties for both the police and fire departments, under the direct supervision of the Chief of Police and in close collaboration with the executive and command staff of each department. The majority of the PSPIO’s work will primarily be within the police department on a daily basis, while allowing for assistance and support of the fire department as needed.
The PSPIO is responsible for a broad range of tasks, including the implementation of internal and external communication efforts. This individual acts with an elevated level of autonomy and is directly responsible for the quality and accuracy of their own work.

The PSPIO performs tasks independently under general supervision. The PSPIO is expected to engage in critical thinking, fact-based writing and creative designing, all while exercising strong initiative and judgement.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. FOSTERING MEDIA RELATIONSHIPS – Advance and leverage operational relationships with members of the media to further departmental goals.
   1. Serve as an author, editor and distributor of news releases and media advisories in a fast-paced environment.
   2. Respond to media inquiries and support the public information dissemination process by coordinating press conferences, media availabilities and interviews.
   3. Develop and nurture relationships with a variety of media representatives in the region, including television, radio, and print.
   4. Promptly notify executive staff within the police and fire departments regarding media inquiries, media relation issues or concerns, and provide media training as needed to all departmental staff.
   5. Coordinate and record executive staff interviews and department news conferences, review statements and/or speeches, and lead publicity efforts for both departments.
   6. Assist the department Community Engagement Strategist (CES) in recruiting efforts through development of relevant materials.
   7. Prepare fact sheets, photographs and other materials for media distribution.
   8. Actively monitor media coverage to verify accuracy, engage in remediation and identify additional coverage opportunities.
      
      
2. SERVING AS AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL CONSULTANT – Function as a critical asset to the Fargo Police Department (FPD) and Fargo Fire Department (FFD) leadership teams in communication-related processes.
   1. Assist and coach departmental staff members on public speaking engagements.
   2. Review staff presentations and provide feedback on content and layout to implement successful storytelling techniques.
   3. Provide input and review materials (such as articles and website content) prepared by staff.
   4. Seek to provide communications that can positively impact the morale and performance of the police and fire department teams.
      
      
3. ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY – Develop educational, informative and persuasive messaging for dissemination to the public with sensitivities towards diversities of culture, race and demographics.
   1. In collaboration with executive staff, identify opportunities, establish contact, and maintain partnerships with various organizations and community groups to advance departmental objectives.
   2. Respond to citizen requests, comments or questions in a timely and efficient manner. Refer requests that are not related to, or otherwise reference police or fire operations, to the appropriate department head or city administrator.
   3. Assist the Community Engagement Strategist in the planning of departmental events within the community.
   4. Support and embed the departmental brands throughout the metro area and in all communications.
   5. Communicate in a courteous, compassionate, empathetic and professional demeanor to create/maintain relationships in execution of all job functions.
   6. Review, interpret and humanize information on crime and fire analysis and trends.
      
      
4. CREATING COMMUNICATION COLLATERAL – Possess the ability to produce and disseminate marketing materials that are visually appealing and impactful for use on multiple platforms.
   1. Drive external communication efforts, including multimedia promotional campaigns.
   2. Develop and execute public outreach plans, ranging from simple to complex.
   3. Distill complex topics and information into consumable collateral.
   4. Create web content, infographics, various print materials and presentations.
   5. Collaborate with other City PIO’s to leverage training opportunities or to assist with large-scale City communications projects, as approved.
      
      
5. OPTIMIZING WEBSITE OPERATIONS – Assist with managing the department’s online presence, including content development, curation and optimization.
   1. Collaborate with the Community Engagement Strategist (CES) and provide input towards the creation and maintenance of a publication calendar for departmental content and events.
   2. Collaborate with the Community Engagement Strategist on website reorganization and optimization strategies. This involves review of analytic data and peer agency benchmarking.
      
      
6. RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES – Serve as a versatile and strategic communicator during critical incidents or events.
   1. The PSPIO is expected to be responsive to critical incidents which may occur at any time. The CES may serve as a replacement if the PSPIO is unavailable due to vacation, etc.
   2. Handles highly sensitive departmental or investigative information confidentially and pursuant to all applicable police department policies, as a trusted partner of the police and fire departments.
   3. Possess a working knowledge of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) for emergency preparedness and has completed the courses required for their job.
   4. Fulfill roles within the Department’s Emergency Operations Plan as determined by the Chief of Police in coordination with the Fire Chief.
   5. With approval of the Chief of Police, may serve as a liaison and/or provide support for outside agencies and/or other City departments during major incidents, emergencies, or disasters; may serve as a member of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during community crisis or disasters and participate in EOC exercises.
      
      
7. COLLABORATION BUILDING – Communicates courteously and professionally while maintaining successful working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
   1. Interact with the public and other City departments, as approved, to exchange detailed and/or technical information.
   2. Responsible for maintaining media and communications relationships that are key to the function of the police and fire departments.
   3. Plan and carry out communications at a level that can positively impact the morale and performance of the police and fire departments.
      
      
8. PRIORITIZING SAFETY – Perform all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.
   1. Know and follow departmental and City policies as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss.
   2. Wear proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilize proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed, make an effort to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draw them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.
      
      
9. ADAPTING – Perform other duties and activities as assigned.

This position requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications, marketing, public administration, business administration, criminal justice, fire science or a closely related field; at least four (4) of professional experiences or internships, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. A valid driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility is also required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities should include:

• Excellent written communication skills across a variety of genres (press releases, advertising copy, digital media, etc.) are essential.
• Skills in interpersonal communication to facilitate high-level discussions with co-workers, supervisors, the general public and others sufficient to exchange or convey information, resolve disputes and receive work direction.
• Proficiency in the practices and principles of public and media relations.
• The ability to handle multiple tasks with adherence to deadlines in stressful or difficult situations.
• Receptiveness to coaching, guidance, extensive review processes and modifications on drafts of work to ensure highest quality of work and consistent messaging adhering to departmental standards.
• Skills in developing and interpreting data.
• Project management experience.
• The capacity to work as part of a team.
• Precise accuracy with a high attention to detail.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem resolution capabilities.
• The ability to quickly demonstrate effectiveness, credibility, thoroughness and collaborative skills in adhering to and advancing The City of Fargo’s organizational brand.
• Training or experience in utilizing modern graphic design techniques.
• Social media engagement optimization concepts and strategies.
• Fluency in computer applications used by the Communications & Governmental Affairs office, including the Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite and Content Management Systems (CMS).
• Proficiency in Associated Press (AP) writing styles.
• Experience with photography and/or videography.
• Familiarity of federal, state and local laws regarding information dissemination and freedom of information request requirements.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
Most work is performed in a normal work environment. Work is generally light with considerable variety. Extensive use of computer, telephone and other office equipment is required. Daily work often involves moving between rooms. There is considerable attention to detail and deadlines. Intermittent driving is required to attend meetings. Occasional overnight travel may be required. The person in this position will be required to be on-call during some evenings and weekends. In an emergency situation, the person may be required to be on-site for a prolonged period of time at a designated facility.

Activities include stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, digital dexterity, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.