Public Affairs & Communications Officer

City of Lynchburg, VA; Lynchburg (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lynchburg Fire Department is seeking a Public Relations Specialist to develop and implement public relations and social media materials, coordinate media relations, and support internal communications across departments. This role focuses on timely, accurate information sharing with the community and workforce.

Responsibilities include managing department social media channels, producing multimedia content, coordinating press activities, and advising on branding and community

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, mass communications, public relations, marketing or a closely related field with major coursework in communications, production, and or videography.
• Considerable work experience in media relations, internal communications, and/or media services.
• Must have demonstrated experience in public speaking and audio/video production methods.

Responsibilities

• Establishes strategies to build effective relationships with the community, the press, and the workforce by ensuring the open exchange of accurate information through community input and partnerships.
• Organizes the development and implementation of methods for communicating information to the public by using videos, email, Internet, social media, brochures, news releases, presentations, maps, media outlets, public broadcasting, or other mediums.
• Maintains effective internal communications and messaging and serves as the content manager for internal digital message board systems and keeps these up to date.
• Maintains the Department's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms.
• Maintains positive contacts with the media, enhancing the image of the Department while providing the public with information that is complete, accurate, and up to date.
• Responds to media inquiries on routine, emergency, sensitive, and controversial matters.
• Drives comprehensive content development, including informational campaigns on department issues and initiatives, press releases, or similar communications.
• Arranges for and assists at news conferences; reviews information for release by Department personnel.
• Ability to speak on a broad variety of city-related issues and occurrences.
• Serves as a resource for, and assists LFD employees with, media inquiries.
• Maintains a thorough working knowledge of positive public relations processes and best practices.
• Maintains a thorough working knowledge of desktop publishing software and of design principles and publication standards
• Uses up to date photographic and videography equipment to shoot a wide variety of subjects in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Utilizes advanced computer skills knowledge with the ability to design and maintain websites and uses graphic design and video editing software applications to edit videos and develop graphic designs and media layouts for multimedia publications and social media platforms.
• Leads outreach activities and marketing/advertising campaigns to engage diverse communities.
• Manages Department website.
• Broad knowledge of the principles of public administration and public relations as applied to public safety issues and local government operations.
• Monitors news coverage of LFD and City activities, programs, policies, and actions.
• Assists with the periodic review and assessment of LFD branding, including images and logos, slogans, public-facing design elements, internet presence, etc.
• Assists with design and preparation of the Department's annual report.
• Suggests improvements in LFD practices in community engagement and interactions.
• Conducts media relations training for Department staff.
• Attends business association meetings to explain the community risk reduction programs and solicit their cooperation and support.
• Creates educational brochures for community risk reduction, hiring, and promotional processes and various services offered by the Department.
• Collaborates with City departments in planning for major events.
• Maintains a collaborative working relationship with the City of Lynchburg’s Communications Department.
• Knowledge of public safety area of expertise: fire and emergency medical services.
• Ability to adapt broadly defined policy guidance to specific situations with a minimal amount of supervision.
• Collaborates with City departments in planning for major events and festivals.
• Ability to work under pressure.

Skills

Media relations

Internal communications

Public speaking

Video production

Social media management

Graphic design

Web/website basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism or communications

Tools

Desktop publishing software

Graphic design software

Video editing software

Website management tools

Job description

The City of Lynchburg Fire Department is seeking a Public Relations Specialist to develop and implement public relations and social media materials, coordinate media relations, and support internal communications across departments. This role focuses on timely, accurate information sharing with the community and workforce.

Responsibilities include managing department social media channels, producing multimedia content, coordinating press activities, and advising on branding and community