Duties

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required:

• Generates, edits, publishes, and shares engaging content daily or weekly, as necessary, across Sheriff's Office social media platforms, ensuring Sheriff's Office brand consistency. This includes the use of original text, photos, and videos, as well us cross-promoting other relevant content.
• Serves as a Sheriff's Office spokesperson during law enforcement events, routine public safety matters, and community education. Responds to emergency scenes in which media are present, until the situation is resolved, until all media have left the scene, or until otherwise released by the Incident Commander. Works with emergency personnel to gather facts and determine what information can be provided to the media. Coordinates communication during situations that involve multiple agencies or departments.
• Stays up to date with current technologies and trends in social media, design tools, and applications.
• Develops content calendars, as necessary, for social media campaigns carried out by the Sheriff's Office.
• Creates and manages end-to-end digital projects to achieve the Public Affairs Section goals and objectives, as well as assisting other areas of the agency, when necessary.
• Maintains proactive, two-way communication on issues with media representatives. When necessary, gathers information, writes, and distributes news releases, responds to media inquiries on behalf of the Sheriff's Office and initiates contact with media representatives to pitch story ideas.
• Researches, writes, produces, and distributes a community newsletter, and other marketing collateral on behalf of the Sheriff's Office.
• Responds to inquiries from the public and others by phone, email, and through social media.

Requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to apply sound reasoning and decision-making.
• Ability to work independently and set priorities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and get along well with others.
• Strong communication skills which include, English usage, composition, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Ability to interact well with a diverse population and levels with outstanding interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills, to include Microsoft Office and a basic level working knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud products, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Premiere Pro.
• Experience in video post-production to include audio, lighting and livestreaming with multi cameras.
• Ability to utilize multimedia equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain websites and social media sites.
• Knowledge of law enforcement public relations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills, including demonstrated ability to write media releases and respond appropriately to media questions both on and off camera.
• Ability to respond to requests for information in a timely manner and to use discretion with confidential information.
• Ability to be on call and subject to call to duty in emergencies, and may be required to work with little or no notice, including evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Work experience demonstrating excellent organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, while maintaining a high degree of accuracy.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the media, other agencies, the public, and colleagues.
• Ability to attend night and weekend events, as needed.
• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including no history of criminal activity.
• Driving is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations or related field.

EXPERIENCE: At least three (3) years of related professional-level communications, public relations/affairs experience.
OR
Any equivalent combination of education and experience, as approved by the Sheriff.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Intermediate experience in Adobe Creative Cloud preferred.
• Experience working for a municipal government or large public agency which includes law enforcement.
• Experience handling sensitive and confidential material.
• Experience with web development.
• Experience working in television news.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid Class "R" Colorado Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
• Must possess CPR and First Aid certifications within initial status period.
• Work locations and facilities are subject to change based on business needs.

Supplemental Information

YOU MUST PROVIDE A CURRENT VALID EMAIL ADDRESS FOR APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS (only one email address is accepted by the system).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive.

Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.

Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.

Constantly: Activity exist more than 2/3 of the time.

• Spends 80% of the time sitting and 20% of the time either standing or walking. Occasionally may stand and/or walk 80% of the time when in the field.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses a cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 25 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual and fine/gross motor skills enabling the safe operation of County vehicle during normal and hazardous weather situations.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

JOB-RELATED CONTACTS:
Contacts are with individuals within the Sheriff's Office, media, other Agencies/Organizations, elected officials and the general public. This position requires the ability to work effectively during contact with superiors, subordinates, employees, applicants, and the general public. Information provided is of a complex nature relating to a variety of issues. The incumbent is accountable for the results of the contacts. The member's anticipated contact with blood, bodily fluids or other medical hazards are rare. The member should have adequate time to take precautionary and protective measures.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a standard office environment, with occasional trips outside the office for meetings, traveling to other facilities, etc. May require working nights, holidays and weekends. Will occasionally need to respond to crime scenes, fire scenes, hazmat situations, or other incidents outside. At times will have to work with the media while outside in inclement weather. Works in a setting subject to continuous interruptions and background noises.

401(a) DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLAN:
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office employees participate in a mandatory defined benefit program designed to help employees establish a source of income for retirement years. Through the Plan, eligible employees must set aside 9.00%, which is subject to change in the coming years, on a pretax basis of which the County matches at 9.50%. The County also contributes 6.20% to Social Security.

BIO-HAZARD NOTICE:
This position has been determined to be a MINIMAL exposure risk to "bio-hazards" associated with blood-borne pathogens, HIV (aids), HBV (hepatitis B), and air-borne transmissions of TB (tuberculosis). Members are advised that exposure to a "bio-hazard" may result in severe illness or death. Members are required by agency policy to use protective equipment and clothing. Inoculation may be required to prevent or treat exposures to "bio-hazards".

APPLICANT DISQUALIFICATION FACTORS:
Applicants are advised that areas for disqualification from further consideration include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Illegal Drug Use - Applicants who have recent illegal drug usage will be disqualified. Recent drug use includes marijuana within one (1) year and all other illegal drug use within the past five (5) years. All other illegal drug use will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Any felony conviction
• Driving Record - This includes receiving a DUI within the past five (5) years, having your driver's license suspended for any reason within the past five (5) years, and having five (5) or more tickets within the past five (5) years.
• Outside activities which may be deemed a conflict of interest
• Revelation or discovery of assaultive behavior
• Documented record of prior work performance
• Unsuccessful completion of any basic requirement
• Inability to perform the essential functions of the position
• Police history - type, frequency and nature of contacts(s)
• Providing false or misleading information during the application/selection process

It is the policy of the Sheriff's Office to not discuss the reasons why applicants were not selected for hire. There is no flexibility to this policy. Applicants may be notified of their disqualification at any point in the selection process. If you receive such a notice, it simply means that you do not meet our standards at this time. Receiving this notice does not indicate that you are ineligible to apply with other agencies.
REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS:
The screening process for any position within the Sheriff's Office may include written test(s), an oral interview, skills test(s), and/or other selection methods designed to measure applicants' ability to perform the essential functions of the job they are seeking.
Additional required tests/examinations also include:

• Phase I Suitability Exam
• Polygraph Examination

Additional screening may include:

• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination, including a drug screen
• Background Investigation - This will include, but is not limited to, contact with the applicant's former employers, associates, neighbors and other pertinent sources. Applicant's military history, school records, police records and driving record will also be investigated. All examinations are conducted by qualified/licensed individuals designated by the Sheriff's Office at the Sheriff's Office expense.

EXPECTED DURATION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS:
Due to the nature of the application and selection process for the Sheriff's Office, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately six (6) to twelve (12) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.

WORK SCHEDULES:
Employees are required to work the time periods and/or shifts, rotational and/or stationary, and location assignment, consistent with the needs of the Sheriff's Office.

DUTY ASSIGNMENTS:
All applicants hired by the Sheriff serve at the pleasure of the Sheriff of Arapahoe County and may be assigned to any of the agency's bureaus, sections or units at the discretion of the Sheriff or his duly appointed representative. Employment is at the will and pleasure of the Sheriff, per Colorado State Statute: 30-10-506. Written policies and other manuals do not alter the at will status of employment.

COMMUNITY POLICING:
The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is committed to the implementation of the community-policing concept. Community policing is an organizational strategy and philosophy which emphasizes problem solving partnerships between the Sheriff's Office, neighborhoods, and businesses working together to create a better quality of life within the community.

INITIAL STATUS PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT:
Successful applicants are subject to an initial status period of employment. This initial status period is twelve (12) months for all positions. The initial status period is regarded as part of the applicant's examination process and will be utilized for purposes of employee evaluation, training and adjustment to the demands of the profession. New employees, who fail to perform satisfactorily during the period, may be separated from the Sheriff's Office, depending on the circumstance of each case.

POLICY ON REAPPLICATION:
Applicants who failed a written test may reapply and retest no sooner than three (3) months from the date they took the written test. All other applicants who are disqualified can reapply with the Sheriff's Office no sooner than one (1) year from the date of notification of non-selection.

This job announcement does not constitute a contract of employment. Should there be any discrepancy or error in this job announcement, the applicable policy or pay rate will apply. The Sheriff's Office retains the right to amend this job announcement at any time without notice.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer, who fully supports and complies with ADA, EOE M/F/D/V/SO.

Should you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact Human Resources.

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BENEFITS

As a Regular Full-Time employee at Arapahoe County Government, you are eligible for benefits such as:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short and Long Term Disability
• Mandatory Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Pre-paid Legal Services
• Vacation and Sick Leaves
• Holiday pay
• Training and Educational Reimbursement Opportunities

For a more detailed listing of our benefit programs, click on the MENU link on the left and then Benefits Summary.