Media - Public Relations Specialist

City of Cleveland; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Cleveland seeks a Media – Public Relations Specialist to support Public Safety Administration. You will act as the main liaison with news media, craft press materials, and guide communications for department initiatives.

Responsibilities include managing media requests, building external partnerships, and coordinating communications with city departments to maintain consistent, on-brand messaging.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required.
• Three years of full-time paid experience in public/media relations or corporate communications.
• Six years of related experience can substitute for the degree plus 3 years.
• Valid State of Ohio Driver's License or ability to obtain within 60 days.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact between the department and media, social media, and the public.
• Draft press releases and media summaries, and prepare executive presentations.
• Build relationships with external media and internal city stakeholders.
• Develop a proactive public safety public relations program and social media presence.
• Coordinate media requests in a timely, professional manner.
• Track media coverage and report results to inform strategy.
• Collaborate with Communications, IT and Mayor’s Office on information releases.
• Organize interviews, messaging, and media training for key leaders.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Communications

Social media management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or related field

Master’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations or Marketing (preferred)

Job description

Media - Public Relations Specialist

The Department of Public Safety, Division of Administration, is the executive office that oversees and provides administrative support to its several safety divisions which include the divisions of Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Animal Care & Control (AC&C), and Corrections. Public Safety Administration is located within Cleveland City Hall but has numerous safety division locations throughout the city as well as public facing responsibilities and social media presence. Under general direction of the Senior Strategist for Public Safety, the Media – Public Relations Specialist performs major daily, and project/program based administrative duties. They recommend and administer departmental policies and procedures regarding media and public relations. They prepare regular and special reports related to departmental operations. They serve as the primary point of contact between the department and the news media, social media, and the public in general.

The successful applicant should be organized, detail-oriented and customer-focused, already versed in working in a highly professional environment, managing multiple job-related duties and performing diverse confidential administrative and supportive duties as part of daily operations.

Under administrative direction, is responsible for planning and administering a specific project or program for a City department. Serves as the administrative supervisor on projects or programs. Plans, assigns, supervises, and reviews activities of subordinate personnel. Monitors the project or program's operating budget and assists in the annual preparation of same. Designs, implements, and monitors procedures utilized in program evaluation. Develops and secures commitments from other City departments and agencies to provide services to program participants. Provides technical assistance or reviews program policies and procedures. Maintains current information and oversees the preparation of project status reports. Prepares financial and narrative reports and program applications. Communicates project/program status and information to municipal officials and/or public and private entities. May supervise employees assigned to the respective project. Performs other related duties as required. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Business or Public Administration, Social Sciences, or closely related field preferred. Two (2) years of any equivalent combination of education, training and experience in program administration required. Must be able to lift and carry thirty (30) pounds. Valid State of Ohio Driver's License required.

Additional Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop, organize and execute seasonal, periodical and otherwise necessary departmental announcements and events.
• Draft press releases, media summaries, council and executive presentations.
• Build and maintain relationships with external existing and new media contacts and internal city-wide resources and stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain a robust, dynamic social media presence and continuous campaign.
• Assist in managing media requests in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensure the department maintains consistent, cohesive and branded messaging and documentation.
• Track, report, and analyze media coverage and social media reach to develop informed response strategies.
• Develop a proactive public safety public relations program.
• Assist in organizing, scheduling, and preparing key leaders and staff for interviews, including messaging, talking points and media training.
• Collaborate with City Departments including Communications, IT and the Mayor’s Office regarding all information releases including designated media specialists from other divisions, departments and external agencies.
• Coordinate public safety presence on City maintained web sites including validation and accuracy of posted and linked data.
• Develop, coordinate and execute community education and outreach events. Research event opportunities.
• Coordinate preparation of department and division annual reporting and other publications.
• Plan and track calendar of content and events for the year for all Public Safety divisions.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Chief Director of Public Safety as required.

Additional Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or related field.
• Three (3) years full-time paid experience in public/media relations, corporate communications or similar demonstrated role.
• Six (6) years full-time paid experience in public/media relations, corporate communications or similar demonstrated role can substitute for the Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience above.
• Must possess a valid State of Ohio Driver's License (Those persons who live or work outside of Ohio must have the ability to obtain one within 60 days of the date of hire). Must possess the following skills: Strong computer skills - Microsoft Office and the ability to quickly learn software utilized by the Department and other related governmental software; Strong oral and written communication - including the ability to make presentations throughout the Department; Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Light physical effort in sedentary to light work. May involve some manipulation of lightweight items (5-10 pounds). May involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
• Requires excellent written and superior verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or a related field is preferred.
• Experience in federal, state or local government communications is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse neighborhoods or communities is strongly preferred.

https://www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/departments/human-resources/total-rewards

The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do.