Police Public Information Officer (Non-Sworn)

University of North Carolina at Wilmington; Wilmington (NC); Sur place; USD 60 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is seeking a Police Public Information Officer (Non-Sworn) to manage public information, media relations, emergency and digital communications for the UNCW Police Department.

You will develop communication strategies, advise the police leadership on sensitive matters, and act as the authorized spokesperson, coordinating with the Office of University Relations and campus partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field plus four years of progressive experience in strategic communications, public information, media relations, or related areas.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, holidays or emergency response assignments.
• Must be able to pass a background check.

Responsabilités

• Lead the department’s public information, media relations, emergency communications, digital communications, internal communications, and community engagement programs.
• Develop short- and long-term communication strategies and establish communication standards and protocols.
• Advise police leadership on complex and sensitive matters and serve as an authorized spokesperson and media liaison.
• Coordinate public-facing communications with UNCW’s Office of University Relations and other university partners.
• Provide strategic and administrative leadership for Peer Support and Mentoring programs.

Connaissances

Strategic communications

Public information

Media relations

Crisis or emergency communications

Internal communications

Communications program leadership

Related professional area

Formation

Bachelor's degree in communications/related field

Description du poste

Police Public Information Officer (Non-Sworn)

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History’ section before you apply for this position.
Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

This position is designated as Exempt from the Human Resources Act ( EHRA ).

Benefits of Working at UNCW

At the University of North Carolina Wilmington, we are driven by a clear purpose: to empower student success, advance innovation, and strengthen the communities we serve. Guided by our strategic vision and commitment to excellence, UNCW offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where employees can make meaningful contributions while growing their careers.
Located in coastal North Carolina, UNCW combines the energy of a thriving academic community with the natural beauty of nearby beaches and outdoor spaces. Here, professional opportunity is balanced with an exceptional quality of life—creating a workplace where you can thrive both personally and professionally.
As a member of the Seahawk community, you’ll benefit from a culture that values well-being, lifelong learning, and connection. UNCW offers a competitive and flexible benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and professional growth. From comprehensive health coverage and retirement options to generous paid leave, tuition opportunities within the UNC System, learning and development opportunities, and wellness programs, UNCW is committed to helping you thrive both at work and in your personal life.

Hiring Range

Hiring Range Determined based on qualifications and/or experience.

Working Title

Working Title Police Public Information Officer (Non-Sworn)

The Police Public Information Officer and Internal Communications Director serves as the senior civilian communications professional for the UNCW Police Department. This position leads the department’s public information, media relations, emergency communications, digital communications, internal communications, and community engagement programs.

The position develops short- and long-term communication strategies, establishes communication standards and protocols, advises Police leadership on complex and sensitive matters, and serves as an authorized spokesperson and media liaison within delegated authority. The position coordinates public-facing communications with UNCW’s Office of University Relations and other university partners.

This position also provides strategic and administrative leadership for the department’s Peer Support and Mentoring programs, including program structure, communication, training coordination, participation processes, assessment, and continuous improvement.

This is a civilian, non-sworn position with no arrest authority or sworn law enforcement powers.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution in communications, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, public administration, marketing, organizational communication, or a related field, and four years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Strategic communications
• Public information
• Media relations
• Crisis or emergency communications
• Internal communications
• Communications program leadership
• A closely related professional area

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be accepted by the university.

Must have a valid drivers license.
Ability to work a flexible schedule that could occasionally be evenings, weekends, holidays or emergency response assignments.
Must be able to pass a background check.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Preference may be given to candidates who possess:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible communications experience, including responsibility for complex, sensitive, or high-impact matters.
• Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson or media liaison.
• Experience advising senior leaders on communication strategy.
• Experience leading crisis or emergency communications in public safety, government, emergency management, the military, health care, or higher education.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary programs, projects, or work teams.
• Experience establishing or administering peer support, mentoring, employee well-being, or professional development programs.
• Knowledge of the Clery Act, North Carolina public records requirements, media law, accessibility standards, confidentiality, and records retention.
• Relevant FEMA Incident Command System or public information training.
• Experience with social media strategy, web content, photography, videography, graphic design, communication analytics, and communication technology.

Required Certifications or Licensures

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit

The primary objective of the UNCW Police Department is to provide a safe and secure environment within which students, faculty, and staff can live, learn, and work. Officers within the department are duly sworn, certified, and empowered with the same authority as other local law enforcement officers in the State of North Carolina as regulated by the NC Department of Justice. The department consists of sworn police officers, patrol, investigations, administrative functions, functional authority positions, telecommunicators, and security guards.

College/School Information

University Information

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state’s coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching, mentoring, research, and service. UNCW is distinguished by its commitment to putting students first, supporting world-class faculty and staff, delivering transformative learning experiences, and leveraging its unique proximity to the ocean. Recognized nationally for scholarly excellence and affordability, UNCW offers a powerful academic experience that stimulates creative inquiry and critical thinking and reflects emerging industries and interdisciplinary innovation.
A public institution with nearly 20,000 students, UNCW offers a full range of baccalaureate- and graduate-level programs, as well as doctoral degrees in educational leadership, marine biology, nursing practice and psychology; and many distance learning options, including clinical research, an accelerated RN-to- BSN program, an Executive M.B.A. program structured for working professionals, and the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program focused on coastal engineering.
The university’s efforts to advance research and scholarly activities have earned UNCW the elevated designation of “Doctoral Universities: High Research Activity” institution (R2 University) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Founded as Wilmington College in 1947, UNCW moved to its present location in the heart of New Hanover County in 1961. The 660-acre campus is only minutes from Wrightsville Beach and historic downtown Wilmington and features Georgian architecture and designated conservation areas. Wilmington International Airport ( ILM ) provides commercial air service to cities both domestic and abroad and is just six miles from the UNCW campus.
UNCW has been part of the University of North Carolina System since 1969.

EEO Statement

UNCW does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of his or her race, sex (such as gender, gender identity, marital status, childbirth, and pregnancy), age, color, national origin (including ethnicity), religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, military service member status, genetic information, or relationship to other university constituents – except where sex, age, or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for State funded employee benefit programs.

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. UNC Wilmington participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

Number of Openings

Special Notes to Applicants

PLEASE NOTE : This posting will close at 11:59PM (Eastern time) on the posted closing date. To receive full consideration, please be sure you have fully completed the entire application, including the ‘Work History’ section before you apply for this position.
Applications must be submitted through the online application system to be considered.

Months Per Year

12 Months

FTE

1.0 FTE (40 hours per week)

Type of Position

Permanent

Anticipated Ending Date if Time-Limited Positions

Job Posting Date

10/14/2026

Posting Close Date

11/05/2026

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn of this opportunity with UNCW? (2026)
  • UNCW Website
  • UNCW LinkedIn Page
  • UNCW X Account (formerly Twitter)
  • UNCW Employee Referral
  • UNCW Instagram Account (UNCW_jobs)
  • UNCW Job Alert
  • Chronical of Higher Education
  • Glassdoor
  • Higher Ed Jobs
  • Indeed
  • Inside Higher Ed
  • North Carolina Job Network
  • Craigslist
  • Career Events/Job Fairs
  • Billboards/Marquee
  • Other
• If you selected "Other" to the question above, please explain how you found out about this opportunity. Enter N/A if not applicable.

  (Open Ended Question)