Police Public Information Officer (Non-Sworn)

Brief Summary of Work for this Position

The Police Public Information Officer and Internal Communications Director serves as the senior civilian communications professional for the UNCW Police Department. This position leads the department’s public information, media relations, emergency communications, digital communications, internal communications, and community engagement programs.The position develops short- and long-term communication strategies, establishes communication standards and protocols, advises Police leadership on complex and sensitive matters, and serves as an authorized spokesperson and media liaison within delegated authority. The position coordinates public-facing communications with UNCW’s Office of University Relations and other university partners.

This position also provides strategic and administrative leadership for the department’s Peer Support and Mentoring programs, including program structure, communication, training coordination, participation processes, assessment, and continuous improvement.

This is a civilian, non-sworn position with no arrest authority or sworn law enforcement powers. Minimum Education and Experience Requirements A bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution in communications, public relations, journalism, strategic communications, public administration, marketing, organizational communication, or a related field, and four years of progressively responsible professional experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Strategic communications
• Public information
• Media relations
• Crisis or emergency communications
• Internal communications
• Communications program leadership
• A closely related professional area

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be accepted by the university.

Must have a valid drivers license.

Ability to work a flexible schedule that could occasionally be evenings, weekends, holidays or emergency response assignments.

Must be able to pass a background check. Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience Preference may be given to candidates who possess:

• Five or more years of progressively responsible communications experience, including responsibility for complex, sensitive, or high-impact matters.
• Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson or media liaison.
• Experience advising senior leaders on communication strategy.
• Experience leading crisis or emergency communications in public safety, government, emergency management, the military, health care, or higher education.
• Experience directing internal communications.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary programs, projects, or work teams.
• Experience establishing or administering peer support, mentoring, employee well-being, or professional development programs.
• Knowledge of the Clery Act, North Carolina public records requirements, media law, accessibility standards, confidentiality, and records retention.
• Relevant FEMA Incident Command System or public information training.
• Experience with social media strategy, web content, photography, videography, graphic design, communication analytics, and communication technology.

Required Certifications or Licensures Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit The primary objective of the UNCW Police Department is to provide a safe and secure environment within which students, faculty, and staff can live, learn, and work. Officers within the department are duly sworn, certified, and empowered with the same authority as other local law enforcement officers in the State of North Carolina as regulated by the NC Department of Justice. The department consists of sworn police officers, patrol, investigations, administrative functions, functional authority positions, telecommunicators, and security guards.