Communications Specialist/FOIA Officer- Police Department

JOB
The Communications Specialist develops and executes internal and external communication strategies by engaging with town staff, citizens, businesses, and the news media. The Communications Specialist is responsible for communicating both emergent and time-sensitive information to the public, as well as initiatives and opportunities for engagement and public education.

Shift: Primarily Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Occasional evenings and weekend hours may be required.

The Town of Blacksburg is an EEO Employer M/F/D/V EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function well. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Writes and distributes news releases and other information pieces and repurposes content for digital platforms
• Develops and executes effective communications plans
• Responds to citizen requests and inquiries
• Assists with website content development and maintenance of news and information areas on the site
• Assists with strategy and content creation for Blacksburg Police Department social media sites, video, web, and other digital communications
• Designs graphics for online and print products, and coordinates with print and specialty vendors as needed
• Serves as a member of the Freedom of Information Act Team, coordinating the fulfillment of requests and compliance with Virginia Freedom of Information requirements for the Police Department. Training provided.
• Assists with the communications, planning, and execution of various police department events, including press conferences
• Represents the Blacksburg Police Department and Town of Blacksburg on internal and external committees as needed

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force
• Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle, or feel, and repetitive motions, frequently requires sitting and climbing, or balancing, and occasionally requires standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, and lifting
• Work has standard vision requirements
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications, and/or to make fine distinctions in sound
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm’s length, operating motor vehicles or equipment, and observing general surroundings and activities
• Work has no exposure to environmental conditions
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic)