What are the responsibilities and job description for the Public Information Officer position at Indy Parks and Recreation?
Overview
Position to be a key part of a vibrant communications team, coordinating media outreach and response, responding to requests for public records, and providing marketing and event support for Indy Parks and Recreation. This person will be key to helping to ensure that the public is informed of programs and events at Indy Parks and will work in a proactive manner to share the story of Parks with the community.
Position is responsible for assisting with communications efforts for Indy Parks, providing marketing, media relations, and event planning to share Indy Parks' story using diverse platforms. Acts as a liaison between the department and the public, City-County Council, Parks Board, media, neighborhood organizations, partners, and other groups. Reports to the Chief Communications Officer.
Position Responsibilities
Schedule, write, and send press releases; respond to media inquiries; and develop and pitch story ideas.
Assist with coordinating special events, grand openings, speaking engagements, and other park outreach.
Respond to customer inquiries in a timely, courteous, and effective manner, working with parks staff to communicate customer feedback address comments and initiate follow up.
Assist in the planning, development, implementation, and administration of the department's communication plan and strategies.
Create content such as presentations, press releases, reports, and award applications, and provides graphic design support.
Maintain strong messaging to connect the public to parks and greenspaces with consistent branding, messaging, and communication standards.
Assist with developing content for social media platforms, newsletters, flyers, brochures, and other promotional items.
Maintain press clippings and communicate news/issues related to parks, programs, events, and other news of interest.
Assist with responding to public records requests and in gathering/delivering requested information.
Assist with maintaining dynamic, current, and impactful website content.
Cultivate contacts for news articles and coverage for parks department events, programs, special offerings, and inviting spaces.
Work with Department staff to develop, execute, and evaluate community engagement, customer service, partnership, and communication strategies.
Serve as an advocate for Indy Parks, its programs, activities, and the people we serve.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary.
Qualifications
Passion for mission of Indy Parks. Bachelor's Degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism or related field and a minimum of four (4) years' prior work-related experience is required. Knowledge of social media tools including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, photo editing, and desktop publishing software (Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator), and online newsletter software is required.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Strong content development skills with the ability to draft, edit, and proofread concise copy. Excellent time management skills including the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines and responsibilities simultaneously. Demonstrate creative ability when presented
with unformatted projects and/or ideas. Must demonstrate the ability to move effortlessly between tasks and to adapt to changing priorities.
Independent Judgment
Position requires the knowledge or ability to follow all established city and departmental policies and procedures. Experience with current trends, principles, techniques, and objectives of public information and media relations programs. Work independently and as a team around a series of goals, expectations, and deadlines.