Join the City of Gresham as our Public Information Officer!
Are you a strategic communicator passionate about public service? Do you thrive in fast-paced environments where your words can make a real impact?
The City of Gresham is seeking an experienced and dynamic Public Information Officer (PIO) to be the strategic communications leader for Public Safety and our Mayor/Council. This is an incredible opportunity to shape the City’s messaging, strengthen relationships with residents and media, and play a vital role in ensuring transparency and engagement with the public. For the initial 6 months of employment, this position will be required to work on-site/in the office five (5) days per week. Subject to change thereafter, the current schedule for this position beyond the probationary period is hybrid, with work on-site/in the office a minimum of four (4) days per week.
As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.
We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.
Reporting within the City Manager’s Office, the Public Information Officer (PIO) is classified as a Manager 1 and serves as the City of Gresham’s primary communications representative, overseeing messaging across four key areas: Public Safety (Police & Fire), Mayor and City Council, Office of Governance & Management, and Operating Levy accountabilities. This role requires a strategic storyteller who can craft compelling narratives, manage crisis communications, and build trust with diverse audiences. This position develops, implements, and manages strategic communication initiatives that effectively convey the City’s priorities, programs, and achievements to diverse stakeholders, including residents, media, and community partners. The PIO acts as a trusted spokesperson, ensuring consistent messaging that aligns with the City’s goals and values.
What You'll Do:
Public Safety Communications
- Act as the primary spokesperson for the Police and Fire departments, handling crisis communications and emergency responses in collaboration with Police and Fire Command Staff and designated staff.
- Develop and execute strategic communication plans to enhance public safety awareness.
- Craft messaging on critical incidents, policies, and community engagement efforts.
- Serve as the media liaison for public safety updates and press events.
Mayor & City Council Communications
- Manage public communications for the Mayor and City Council, ensuring alignment with the City’s vision.
- Draft impactful press releases, speeches, talking points, and other materials for elected officials.
- Engage proactively with residents and media on Council initiatives and priorities.
- Ensure timely and transparent communication with the public regarding government actions and decisions.
Office of Governance & Management Communications
- Lead communications for the City Manager’s Office, ensuring clarity on administrative initiatives, policies, and updates.
- Develop cohesive messaging strategies across departments.
- Provide oversight and consultation on digital and print content related to governance.
- Strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance communication efforts.
Levy Accountability Communications
- Design and implement strategies to educate the public on the use and impact of operating levy funds.
- Work with finance and program staff to produce transparent, engaging updates.
- Develop reports, presentations, and public materials to demonstrate program effectiveness and accountability.
- Engage community members, answer questions, and foster public trust in the City’s financial stewardship.
What You Bring:
- Expertise in media relations, public relations, and strategic communication planning.
- Knowledge of and/or ability to learn public safety protocols, municipal governance, and fiscal accountability practices.
- Crisis communication skills with the ability to handle high-pressure situations with diplomacy and tact.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Political acumen to navigate complex governmental environments effectively.
- Supervisory skills with a proven ability to lead and mentor communication teams.
Qualities we are looking for:
- Collaborative– Ability to successfully develop positive, effective relationships at all levels of the organization, cultivating an environment of respect, championing a work culture where all voices are heard and supported.
- Practical– Effectively applies skills and knowledge demonstrating their role as the subject matter expert, maintaining an understanding of the issues affecting the City and leveraging that knowledge to drive decisions that positively impact the City while exhibiting critical thinking and analytical skills and the use of sound judgement and decision making.
- Strategic and Inventive – Effectively balance strategy with empathy, flexibility with accountability and objectivity while being curious, seeking new ideas, consider new approaches and enjoying new challenges.
- Communication – Effectively communicate to all levels with the organization and council; is an active listener that values honesty and integrity and responds empathetically through transparent and clear communication while maintaining effective relationships.
- Equitable- Work towards removing barriers. Acknowledge that historical systems and polices were designed to benefit some and burden others. Recognize that everyone does not start from an equal place. Accept, respect, value and support the diverse cultures and identities within our organization and our community. Be mindful and intentional in creating equitable outcomes and opportunities through our policies and systems.
- Belonging– Effectively work towards the City’s value of leading with trust, being welcoming to all and seeking to understand others.
- Integrity– Work with honesty, take accountability and be accountable to your staff, peers, the team and the organization.
- Service– Effectively work with heart to not only ensure compliance with applicable state, federal and local laws but in doing the right thing.
Why Join Us?
- Be a changemaker: Your work will directly impact the Gresham community by fostering transparency, trust, and engagement.
- Fast-paced and dynamic environment: No two days are the same! You’ll work on a variety of projects that require strategic thinking and adaptability.
- Competitive salary and benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities. For more information: Employee Benefits | City of Gresham
Or any combination of seven (7) to ten (10) years of related education, training, and/or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to qualify for consideration.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in municipal government or public sector communications.
Experience in public safety crisis related communications.
Demonstrated political acumen and the ability to work effectively with executive leadership and elected officials.
Certification as Public Information Officer through FEMA, Center for Public Safety Excellence or equivalent.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.
To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.
Required application materials:
The City of Gresham offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education verified in your application. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and essential attributes in your required application materials. Learn more about Oregon Equal Pay.
If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov, or by phone to 503-618-2729, upon submitting the required application documents.
A review of the required application materials including your response to supplemental questions submitted will determine which candidates will be invited to an interview. Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.
Veteran's Preference
The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.
Our Commitment
The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.
Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2729 or HRRecruiting@GreshamOregon.gov.
If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.
