Public Information Officer

About the Department

Make an impact: 
The City of Salem is seeking a dynamic and collaborative Public Information Officer (PIO). This pivotal role is essential for content production, coordination and production of digital media, content evaluation, and community engagement that effectively share the City’s story with a diverse range of audiences across various platforms. The PIO will contribute to the City’s communications, media relations, and public engagement efforts, utilizing a comprehensive suite of communication tools, including public relations, branding, digital media, videography, and engagement activities. This position will ensure transparency and effective outreach while navigating the complexities of government interactions with the community and media.
 
Learn and grow:
The City Manager’s Office values employees and their professional development. The department offers opportunities to attend conferences, as well as supporting ongoing education and certifications.

What you will do:
The City of Salem's Public Information Officer (PIO) plays a key role in the City’s collaborative communications team, working alongside professionals across departments to inform and engage the community. PIOs serve as spokespersons within their areas of expertise, developing, coordinating, and evaluating content and outreach initiatives to effectively share the City's story with diverse audiences.

The PIO's role will create and manage multimedia content across multiple platforms, monitoring and evaluating the performance of messages and campaigns to drive public engagement, using a strong command of digital, social, and web-based communication tools. You will lead media relations by building and maintaining relationships with media representatives, conducting on-camera interviews, and serving as the City’s primary spokesperson.

You will foster community engagement by promoting open dialogue, strengthening public trust, and encouraging participation in city governance through strategic outreach initiatives. You will develop and execute communication strategies aligned with the City’s goals, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent, and impactful.

You will serve as a liaison across departments, supporting collaboration and coordination on outreach and engagement efforts. During emergencies, you will contribute to crisis communication efforts, including serving in an Emergency Operations Center or Joint Information Center to deliver timely, accurate information to the public.

Additional information on job responsibilities:

• Participate in and implement communications and community engagement plans for projects, activities, events, and initiatives aligned with the City’s mission and vision.
• Prepare and develop content for internal and external communications materials, including fact sheets, news releases, and promotional materials.
• Maintain awareness of trends affecting the City and situations that could impact its reputation, and make appropriate recommendations regarding communication plans and overarching strategies.
• Prepare story ideas, write, proofread, and copy edit content for publication across various formats, including digital media.
• Contribute to and promote communication protocols and standards, including style guides and community engagement strategies.
• Develop and maintain relationships with media outlets and other information resources within the community.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness and assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• Position schedule is Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Our team follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office (440 Church St), as needed, based on demands of specific tasks and manager approval. This is subject to change based on business needs.
• The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.

What are the minimum qualifications? 

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Must have reliable transportation (e.g., carpool, rideshare, public transit, walking, biking) to report to and from work sites, events, trainings, and meetings.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, urban and regional planning, public policy, communications, economics, or a related field, and five years of experience in a related field, or any combination of experience and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.
• Hiring managers do not have access to view resumes as part of the application review process, please make sure to give detailed information in your application that includes your experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as requested in the supplemental questions and job advertisement.

Preferred Qualifications (Not required to apply): 

• Four (4) years of supervisory or program/project management experience in customer engagement, marketing, communications, or media relations; public sector or local government setting experience preferred.
• Course work in public engagement and communication with emphasis on the public sector.
• Training or certifications in public information practices for emergencies, such as National Incident Management System (NIMS) training through FEMA.
• Experience with Granicus web publishing and social media management.
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English preferred.

What you will bring along: 

• Knowledge of legislative processes and intergovernmental relations;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex issues clearly and effectively to diverse audiences;
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials, community members, and various stakeholders;
• Experience in crisis communication and risk management, including the ability to respond to inquiries and issues outside of normal working hours.

About us:
Salem is the second largest city in Oregon and the capital city. Centrally located in the Willamette Valley, Salem is 49 square miles in size and extends across two counties, Marion and Polk. The community has well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings with wide diversity and a family-friendly ambiance. The city is home to nearly 180,000 residents. For a full community profile detailing demographics and housing statistics, visit the City of Salem website.

The City of Salem organization has eight primary departments: Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City of Salem employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members and works collaboratively with five labor unions.

Where can I find out more about the position?
Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Program Manager, II.
 
How can I apply?
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
   
To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application. Make sure that you specify how you meet the qualifications outlined in the class specification and complete the application.
   
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.

You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City of Salem through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!

For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs.

This announcement is not an implied contract and may be modified or revoked without notice.

Providing essential municipal services and administration to the Salem community.