Police Communications Administrator

ADP, Inc.; Hurst (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Hurst is seeking a Police Communications Administrator to oversee internal and external communications for the Police Department, including media relations, public information releases, and digital platforms. The role works closely with command staff and city communications to ensure accurate, timely messaging aligned with organizational goals during routine operations and emergencies.

Responsibilities include managing media inquiries, coordinating crisis communications, maintaining

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field.
• Municipal government or public agency experience preferred.
• Must have regular and punctual attendance, flexible to evenings and weekends and emergency situations.
• Must obtain and maintain CJIS access and a Texas driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Develops, writes, edits, and coordinates press releases, media statements, public information materials, talking points, presentations, and other communications for the Police Department.
• Responds to media inquiries and serves as primary contact for news outlets.
• Coordinates communication during critical incidents with timely and accurate public messaging.
• Manages department social media accounts, website content, and digital communications.
• Creates internal communications tools such as newsletters and employee updates.
• Builds relationships with news media, government entities, city employees, and public stakeholders.
• Advises Assistant Chiefs and Chief of Police on media relations and community engagement.
• Develops long-term communication strategies, branding campaigns, and community outreach with city counterparts.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Writing

Verbal communication

Social media

Content management systems

Open records knowledge

Professionalism and discretion

Organization and prioritization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Public Relations/Journalism/Marketing

Tools

CMS

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Police Communications Administrator

Regular Full-Time Professional Hurst, TX, US

Department: Police

Division: Administration

Immediate Supervisor: Chief of Police

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range:DOQ

Job Summary

The Police Communications Administrator is a civilian professional responsible for developing, planning, coordinating, managing and delivering the Police Department’s internal and external communication efforts. This role manages media relations, public information releases, digital communication platforms, and community‑facing messaging to support transparency, public trust, and effective information sharing. Working closely with command staff, city communications personnel, and community partners, the Administrator ensures the department’s messaging is accurate, timely, consistent, and aligned with organizational goals during both routine operations and critical incidents.

The position oversees the department’s communication functions, including media inquiries, press releases, social media content, website updates, internal communication initiatives, and public messaging during emergencies. The Administrator maintains consistent branding and messaging across all platforms, coordinates with city communication resources, and serves as a primary point of contact for media and public information activities. The role supports strategic communication planning and enhances engagement between the Department, its employees, and the community. The position does not provide direction to other employees. Requires the ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.

Essential Job Functions

• Develops, writes, edits, and coordinates press releases, media statements, public information materials, talking points, presentations, and other communications on behalf of the Police Department.
• Responds to media inquiries and serves as a primary point of contact for news outlets.
• Coordinates communication during critical incidents, ensuring timely and accurate public messaging.
• Exercises operational independence in managing the Department’s social media accounts, website content, and digital communication platforms.
• Creates and maintains internal communication tools, including newsletters, announcements, and employee updates.
• Develop, implement, and maintain cooperative relationships with news media, the public, government entities, elected officials, City employees, and public interest groups.
• Serves as the primary strategic advisor to the Assistant Chiefs and Chief of Police on media relations, public perception, and community engagement initiatives
• Develops and executes long‑term comprehensive communication strategies, branding campaigns, and community outreach programs and works with City Communications staff to maintain consistency with other departments
• Produces written, visual, and multimedia content to support community engagement and outreach efforts.
• Monitors public sentiment, media coverage, and online engagement to inform communication strategies.
• Maintains communication protocols, style guides, and content standards for the Department.
• Coordinates with appropriate City personnel regarding public information laws, including open records requirements, as they relate to Department communications.
• Assists in planning and supporting community events, campaigns, and public education initiatives.
• Adheres to the City of Hurst’s Code of Ideals and The Hurst Way. Promotes positive employee relations, professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and employee morale throughout the organization.
• Performs all other related duties and special projects as assigned.
• Regular and timely attendance are required for this position.
• Interacts professionally, courteously, and respectfully with the public, coworkers, contractors, vendors, consultants and other stakeholders in the course of daily work.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field.
• Experience in public information, media relations, communications, or digital content management.
• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, especially during emergencies or time‑sensitive situations.
• Proficiency with social media platforms, content management systems, and basic graphic or video tools.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a variety of audiences, including Department personnel, City employees, community members, media representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Department personnel, City staff, community partners, media representatives, and the public.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments, meet established deadlines, and work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information.Ability to demonstrate excellent customer service and maintain professional and respectful interactions with the public, coworkers, and others.
• Ability to effectively use standard office equipment and computer applications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.

Additional essential job functions, skills, knowledge, and abilities common to civilian and clerical non‑uniform personnel

Physical Demands:

Standing/Walking:

Office Duties: Stands and walks on concrete, vinyl, and carpeted floors about 10% of the day. Distance is normally 100‑feet or less.

Office Duties: Sits in the office about 60% of the day in chairs normally at a table or using a computer terminal.

Carrying:

May routinely carry objects of varying sizes and weights up to 100‑feet in distance. Objects may be of different substances or shapes. Objects routinely weigh 10‑40 pounds.

Lifting:

May routinely lift objects as part of regular duties. Lifting does not normally require anything over shoulder height. Weights range routinely between 10‑40 pounds.

Pushing/Pulling:

Routinely may push/pull objects weighing 10 to 40 pounds.

Move from the waist to pick up or lay down an object. May be kneeling for short time periods, as duties require.

Reaching:

Office Duties: Some reaching for office supplies across a table. Reaching is not normally required for distances over three feet.

Twisting:

Office Duties: Twisting is required sitting at a table or desk to reach for the phone or paper. Twisting in this environment is 45% to one side or the other.

Hearing:

Office Duties: Must have hearing sufficient (unaided or aided) to perform essential hearing tasks. Essential hearing tasks include, but are not limited to: discerning and distinguishing spoken words and speech from ambient background noise. If amplification devices are used, they must be of the type that prevents further hearing loss but also allows the employee to perform essential hearing tasks.

Vision:

Office Duties: Must have vision sufficient (unaided or aided) to perform essential sight tasks.

Voice:

Office Duties: Employee must have voice sufficient (unaided or aided) to perform essential speaking tasks.

Virtually all of the work day is indoors with rare instances of driving to locations.

Motor vehicle operation. Exposed to moving traffic control situations.

Office Duties: Normal office environment.

Equipment/Tools:

Rare operation of motor vehicle under regular conditions.

Office Duties: Normal office tools/equipment (i.e. copier, fax machine, computer terminal, phone, and small desk tools).

Products/Materials:

Office Duties: Paper, glue, copier toner, and other common office products.

Additional Demands:

Subject to varying levels of stress in accordance with interaction with peers and others in office environment.

Minimum Education, Certification, and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required with a major in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field preferred.
• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field is required.
• Previous experience in a municipal government or public agency setting is preferred.
• Must have regular and punctual attendance, reliable transportation, and flexibility to work evenings and weekends and respond to emergency situations during non‑scheduled work hours.
• Must successfully complete all required pre‑employment screenings, including a drug screen, criminal background check, driving record check, credit check, and polygraph, as applicable to the position.
• Must have and maintain a valid Texas driver’s license with an acceptable driving record as defined by City policy.
• Must obtain and maintain TCIC/NCIC and CJIS access.
• Due to Criminal Justice Information Security (CJIS) requirements, the candidate must never have been convicted, put on court‑ordered community supervision, or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B misdemeanor or a Class B misdemeanor within the last ten years from the date of the court order. Class A Misdemeanor Conviction, Deferred Adjudication, or Felony Conviction are permanent disqualifiers.
• Must obtain Public Information Certification through the Texas Division of Emergency Management, complete continuing education annually as required by the Texas Government Code, and serves as the Department’s designated Public Information Officer.

Disclaimer

The statements contained herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, qualifications, or skills required. The City reserves the right to modify, amend, or revise this job description at any time to meet organizational needs. This job description does not constitute an employment contract or guarantee of employment and should not be interpreted as creating any contractual rights between the City and the employee.