Overview

The City of Gresham is excited to announce a new opportunity to work for the police department as a Police Strategic Communications Manager. This managerial role will be responsible for overseeing and guiding the Gresham Police Department’s public information program, including responding to public and media inquiries.

This position is a full-time, 2-year limited duration position based on available funding and budget approval. Next review of applications will take place on 1/3/2022.

As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve, and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.

Position Description

The Police Strategic Communications Manager will focus on growing the department's long-term communication goals while also helping provide accurate and timely information about evolving incidents. Collaborating with all department sections and reporting to department leadership, the PCC will assist with developing a comprehensive communication plan (identifying key concepts, goals and message strategies) in support of the department’s public relations objectives and priorities. The PCC will cultivate outward transparency to the public regarding police department operations and current community issues, using social and traditional media platforms, face-to-face interactions and other communication avenues to achieve these goals.

What you will get to do:

• Provide consistent and dependable updates on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
• Develop talking points and slides for command staff presentations
• Answer and respond to media/press calls related to police events and activities
• Respond to police information requests
• Work collaboratively with police analysts to compile data
• Create press release content
• Work with patrol and investigation personnel to acquire information to be shared
• Exercise discretion with information to be released, maintaining case integrity and recognizing sensitivities associated with involved parties
• Assist in developing an overall communication plan

Qualities we are looking for:

• Laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and collective bargaining agreements affecting City policies and operations
• City government administration, organization, functions, and services
• Practices, principles, procedures, and techniques as they relate to communication and public information methods
• Media relations and crisis communications
• Strategies and methodologies of community outreach
• Leadership theories and practices
• Supervisory principles and practices
• Techniques for effectively representing the City with government agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff
• Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, hardware and software applications

• Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, assess consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations
• Design and implement effective public information programs using a variety of methods, techniques, and media
• Influence and gain cooperation when there are competing or conflicting priorities; conduct effective negotiations and represent the City
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls
• Engage with a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex City services
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
• Operate office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• 
  Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations or other related field
• Three to six years of professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or similar work classification

Selection Process

To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.

Required application materials:

• 
  Complete online application (do not type 'see resume' in any fields or leave fields blank)
• Cover letter describing interest in the position and summarizing related experience
• Resume
• Answers to supplemental questions
• Writing sample (preferably a press or media release)

If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov, or by phone to 503-618-2549, upon submitting the required documents.

Selection process steps:

• Applications will be reviewed and selected candidates will be invited to submit a video by a specified deadline (failure to submit the video within this timeframe will result in disqualification)
• Video recording of applicant relaying information as they would in a media interview (scenario will be provided)
• Panel Interview
• Full background
• Interview with the police chief

Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.

Veteran's Preference
The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

Our Commitment
The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.

Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2549 or Cathi.Forsythe@GreshamOregon.gov.

If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855- 524-5627.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of full criminal background investigation.