Description

The City of Burlington is seeking a dynamic and experienced communications professional to serve as the Director of Strategic Communications for the Burlington Police Department. This role is pivotal in shaping the department’s public image, enhancing transparency, and fostering community trust through strategic messaging and media engagement.  We're seeking a creative, driven, and adept individual with strong writing and public speaking skills to join our team. 

 As the Director of Strategic Communications, you will be at the forefront of communicating our department's programs, activities, accomplishments, and positions on current issues. This role demands creativity, initiative, and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion. You will work closely with internal staff, other city departments, external agencies, and community members to ensure our messages are clear, accurate, and impactful. You will be responsible for developing a strategic communication plan for internal and external audiences that enhances public trust and transparency. General work schedule will be Monday-Friday 8am-5pm. There will be some variation depending upon departmental events, significant emergencies, and other departmental needs.

Requirements

Strategic Communication Planning: Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies for internal and external audiences to promote transparency and public trust.

Media Relations: Serve as the primary media liaison; draft press releases, respond to inquiries, and coordinate interviews. Represent the department during high-profile incidents and emergencies.  Respond to crime scenes, disasters, and critical law enforcement operations to assist in media dissemination. 

Community Engagement: Organize public appearances for the Chief and staff, and attend community events, which may involve night and weekend work.

Digital & Social Media Management: Oversee the department’s digital presence, including social media platforms, ensuring timely and accurate information dissemination.

Content Creation: Design and produce multimedia content including graphics, videos, and print materials. Capture and edit photographs and video footage for public relations and historical documentation.

Community Engagement: Coordinate public appearances for department leadership, attend community events, and support outreach initiatives. 

Emergency Operations: Participate in Emergency Operations Center activities during critical incidents or severe weather events.

FOIA & Public Records: Act as a point of contact for public records requests under the Freedom of Information Act and ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies.

Internal Collaboration: Work closely with the City’s Community Engagement Department and other internal stakeholders to align messaging and leverage communication platforms.

 
Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.

Experience: Experience in communications, public information, or media relations in law enforcement or government settings is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and public information and/or media experience may also be accepted

Technical Skills: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects), Canva, Microsoft Office, and video production tools. Willingness to learn new technologies is essential.

Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities. Experience with public speaking and media interviews is highly desirable.

Judgment & Discretion: Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism and tact.

Customer Service: Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to high-quality service in interactions with the public, media, and internal teams.