About us:

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched in diversity.

The City of Asheville values and respects a diverse community, workforce and ideas, and is committed to promoting an equitable, fair, and just employment environment. Our organization seeks to create and provide access and opportunities to employees, residents and visitors to fulfill their potential through inclusive engagement practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.

About our opportunity:

The City of Asheville Police Department is seeking a qualified individual to fill the position of Public Information Officer (Communications Specialist). The Communication Specialist conveys complex issues, public safety information, events and concepts through traditional and social media channels and press releases for the Asheville Police Department (APD).

Hours vary; must be willing to work occasional evening and weekend hours.

• Assists with programs of public relations including the dissemination of press releases, specific materials, statements, information, etc.
• Assists with planning and developing programs to ensure dissemination of information designed to keep the Asheville Police Department (APD) and the community informed of APD programs, services, activities, features, accomplishments or position.
• Plans and implements opportunities for written or technology based community input.
• Confers with various APD personnel to discern pertinent information for presentation to media or public; writes, edits and coordinates dissemination of information in the form of social media postings, graphics, reports, advertisements, news releases, pamphlets, brochures, newsletters, or similar material; edits written material prepared by APD personnel for public dissemination.
• Coordinates answers to inquiries from the general public in social media sites by providing information based on detailed knowledge of APD programs and activities and as required by state open records laws; may refer inquiries to the proper City officials.
• Conducts simple and in-depth research as necessary to support communications projects; gathers and analyzes statistical, historical, financial and other data through the examination of various publications, literature or other documentation, interviews and surveys of expert sources.

• Assists with training APD personnel in proper media relation techniques and associated City policies and procedures.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs other related work as required.

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree, and at least 2 years of experience in responsible public relations or related work with experience in local government or in a public organization preferred; and/or any equivalent combination of training and experience required to perform the essential position functions.

City of Asheville
PO Box 7148
Asheville, North Carolina, 28802