The City is seeking a results-driven professional, capable of showcasing tangible outcomes derived from their prior experiences in communications and public relations. The Public Information Officer (“PIO”) for the City of Independence is a proactive individual who eagerly identifies opportunities for communication and community involvement. Our ideal candidate will be tech-savvy, possessing a keen understanding of digital platforms, and demonstrating proficiency in crisis communication. This person has an entrepreneurial spirit and is highly valued, reflecting a proactive and risk-taking approach. This role demands a continuous learner, staying on top of industry trends, and someone skilled at crafting compelling narratives that deeply resonate with our community. We are looking for a candidate who not only meets the educational and experiential requirements but also brings a forward-thinking, innovative, and results-oriented mindset to the team.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general supervision of the Assistant City Manager of Internal Operations
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Provides close to general supervision to the department staff reporting to the position.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Plans, develops, and implements departmental public information and public relations programs; works with departmental officials to determine public information and public relations needs; develops overall strategy to address public information and public relations needs, promote departmental services and enhance customer and community relations.
- Works with departmental officials in gathering and disseminating information about departmental functions; coordinates the activities of employees engaged in performing research on departmental functions and activities; prepares, edits, and directs the production and distribution of informational materials.
- Develops concepts for informational and promotional programs; prepares program materials such as speeches, talking points, handouts, brochures, and activities schedules; develops and maintains contacts lists; oversees the production of press kits, and arranges for print and electronic media coverage including social media for special events.
- Publicizes departmental news and functions utilizing a variety of news media, including social media or blogs.
- Advises departmental officials regarding public relations programs and the response to media questions; prepares speeches, news releases and official announcements; arranges press conferences and radio and television interviews for departmental officials; serves as spokesperson for the department at media events and community meetings.
- Establishes and maintains liaison with representatives of news media; establishes contacts with community groups to encourage community participation and develops programs and strategies to enhance the public's perception of departmental services.
- Prepares news releases, speeches, fact sheets, event rundowns, citations, ceremonial documents and other informational materials for City departments and agencies; conducts research and contacts community and civic agencies to gather data required to prepare informational materials.
- Utilizes web application technology to write, edit and adapt accurate and editorially consistent social media or internet content for web site; collaborates with and guides content specialists in developing customer-friendly web site copy; may use software to edit graphics and photos for web content.
- May represent the City at community events, meetings, press conferences, and ceremonial events.
- Develops and recommends communication and public relations plans for departmental emergency activities; reports to the site of emergency and provides information about the status; determines strategies to engage and inform the community; acts as liaison to City agencies, community leaders, groups, and residents to provide information and obtain feedback about emergency services.
- Meets with management to develop communication and project plan details that reduce impact on the public; determines how emergency alerts and automated communication updates are made to the public; analyzes sensitive customer service problems and collaborates with managers to determine solutions; may draft official communications to the public and customers as required using a variety of communication formats and methods including the internet and social media channels.
- Manages staff and delegates assignments to task completion.
- All other duties, as requested.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in journalism, communications, marketing, media studies, public relations or a related area.;
AND
- Two (2) years of experience in communications, creative marketing, digital media, or public relations that has included planning and facilitating special events for a governmental or non-profit agency;
AND
- Two (2) years of experience at the full performance level in communications, creative marketing, digital media, or public relations that has included planning and facilitating special events for a governmental agency or non-profit agency.
OR
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable that has included a bachelor's degree as an educational minimum and the specific experience.
AND
- Able to complete required NIMS training within first six months of hire. This is an online training that will be provided.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of Current principles, practices and developments in public relations and in the news media; English usage, grammar, rhetoric, punctuation and spelling; modern journalistic principles and practices; methods and techniques of disseminating information to the public such as print, electronic and social media; public relations principles and practices used in the preparation and dissemination of informational and promotional materials in all types of media; speech writing techniques, including data compilation, research, preparation of final drafts; practices and techniques of writing promotional and informational materials; public speaking techniques; current and expanding social media; common software including Word, PowerPoint, Excel and related software including internet and web-based programs; web applications software for the purposes of writing and editing web content in general and for the department’s own website; federal, state and local laws and regulations applicable to the operations of the department if required by assignment.
Skill inWriting and editing using current web application technology and architecture; website content management; & planning and executing special events and informational programs.
Ability to Prepare interesting and informative news releases, articles, speeches, bulletins, reports, brochures and other informational materials; evaluate various subject matter materials critically from the standpoint of user interest, organization of material, context and style; formulate strategies to publicize departmental activities, programs and special events; plan promotional programs to improve customer and community relations and encourage community participation in departmental activities; coordinate the production and dissemination of informational materials; represent the organization at municipal and community functions; communicate various aspects of departmental operations and services to the public; prepare comprehensive written reports; arrange press conferences and radio and television interviews and social media presence for departmental officials; establish and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, the public, local civic and business officials, and news organizations, including social media; develop print and electronic communications; develop written material for content, style, punctuation and syntax; prepare speeches, event programs, and other special events and ceremonial documents for internal and external use, as needed; write in multiple styles, formats and different types of writing (public relations, business, ceremonial documents, etc.); track and demonstrate results in media coverage; develop and manage department’s website content and expanding social media strategies and outreach; work collaboratively and creatively to support public relations efforts, the functions of the department and its related activities; present and maintain positive stories in the news media, including the emerging social media or other online/digital marketing; prioritize work duties and communicate in a clear, concise manner; speak, read and write fluently in the English language; and evaluate and recommend a communication plan and plan action to be taken in response to an emergency.
Work Environment:
While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear; work is performed in a normal office environment and will have exposure to outdoor temperatures or dirt and dust at times.
Background check
Drug Testing
Additional testing and/or examinations may be required for further consideration on this position.
Position open until filled. First review of applicants 4/13/2026.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The City of Independence is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. The City of Independence is a background screening, drug-free workplace.
The City of Independence provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to humanresources-coi@indepmo.org.
Disclaimer: The above statements describe the general nature, level, and type of work performed by the incumbent(s) assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, demands, and skills required of personnel so classified. Job descriptions are not intended to and do not imply or create any employment, compensation, or contract rights to any person or persons. Management reserves the right in coordination with the governing union (if applicable) to add, delete, or modify any and/or all provisions of this description at any time as needed without notice. This job description supersedes earlier versions.
