Police Digital Communications Specialist

Internal Candidates must apply through Jobs Hub in Workday.

All positions close Friday morning at 12:01am.

Apply to join our team today! The City of Arvada promotes Equal Pay for Equal Work.  Starting salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity. The range listed reflects the entire range and typical placement is entry to mid range. 

Pay Range: $82,904.79-$113,359.58 Annual

The City of Arvada Police Department is seeking a creative and strategic communicator to help share our mission, engage our community, and strengthen public trust. The Police Digital Communications Specialist will lead digital content creation, social media management, website communications, multimedia storytelling, and public engagement initiatives that support public safety and community connection.

If you are passionate about communications, storytelling, and using digital platforms to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply and become part of a team dedicated to serving the Arvada community.

Essential Job Functions

• Maintains the Department's social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, Nextdoor, Ring Neighbors, and other digital communication channels.

• Develops, creates, schedules, and publishes written, photographic, graphic, video, and multimedia content that supports Department programs, initiatives, crime prevention, recruitment, and community engagement.

• Monitors social media activity, comments, and messages; responds to inquiries, routes requests appropriately, and moderates content in accordance with City policies and Department procedures.

• Monitors police activity reports, computer-aided dispatch information, radio traffic, and other approved information sources to identify opportunities for public communication.

• Assists with developing and implementing digital communication campaigns and public education initiatives.

• Tracks social media and website analytics and prepares reports on audience engagement and communication effectiveness.

• Website Administration

• Updates and maintains Department website content to ensure information is accurate, current, organized, and accessible.

• Assists with maintaining the police recruiting website and other digital communication platforms.

• Ensures digital content complies with City branding standards, accessibility requirements, and web communication guidelines.

• Content Development and Community Engagement

• Collaborates with sworn and civilian employees to identify stories, accomplishments, programs, and community engagement opportunities.

• Produces videos, photographs, presentations, newsletters, promotional materials, and other communication products.

• Supports community outreach events, recruitment activities, public education programs, and special events through digital communications.

• Assists with event promotion and online community engagement activities.

Public Information Support

• Assists the Public Information Officer with media inquiries, press releases, public education campaigns, and communication initiatives.

• Develops digital content supporting Department messaging during routine operations and special events.

• Coordinates with the City's Communications Division to ensure consistent messaging across communication platforms.

• Assists with public information activities during emergencies, critical incidents, and major events as assigned.

Video and Digital Media Management

• Reviews, edits, and prepares body-worn camera, drone, and other digital media for public release in accordance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.

• Coordinates with Records personnel, supervisors, investigators, and legal staff to obtain releasable media while maintaining compliance with public records requirements.

• Maintains awareness of significant incidents that may require public communication.

• Professional Development

• Maintains knowledge of emerging trends, technologies, regulations, and best practices related to digital communications, social media, multimedia production, and public information.

• Participates in training and professional development opportunities to improve technical knowledge and communication effectiveness.

• Assists in evaluating communication efforts and recommending improvements to digital engagement.

Other Job Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of communications, public relations, social media management, digital marketing, and community engagement principles.

• Knowledge of website content management systems, social media platforms, and communication analytics.

• Knowledge of photography, videography, graphic design, and multimedia production techniques.

• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations related to public records, copyright, accessibility, and public communications.

• Skill in producing professional written, photographic, graphic, and video communications.

• Skill in organizing information and communicating effectively through multiple digital platforms.

• Skill in using content management systems, social media management software, analytics tools, and multimedia editing applications.

• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, media representatives, and members of the public.

• Ability to gather, organize, and communicate accurate information under changing priorities.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive or confidential information.

• Ability to manage multiple assignments while maintaining attention to detail.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to work occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency assignments.

• Ability to perform public information duties during emergency or critical incidents that may require extended work periods.

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, and to be on call as needed for emergency response.

• Ability to perform public information duties in the midst of intense situations where the duration of an event can last extended periods of time.

• Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.

License & Certification

• Must successfully complete all annual and as-needed in-service training and certification requirements.

• A valid Colorado driver’s license and acceptable driving record.

Education Degree

• Bachelors Degree (BA, BS, BBA)

Education Major

• Communications, marketing, public relations or related field.

Education Required

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Work Experience Related

• Three (3) years of professional experience in digital communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, public information, or a related field.

Work Experience Preferred

• Background or experience in a government or public sector organization is preferred.

• Experience with Google and/or Yahoo analytics.

• Previous experience in a law enforcement setting.

Other Qualifications

• Position is subject to an extensive background check, which may include fingerprinting, a polygraph examination, verification of employment and education, a review of criminal and driving records, reference checks, and other relevant factors as required.

• Must obtain and maintain a Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Certification.

Physical Demands

• Minimal physical effort typically found in clerical work. Primarily sedentary, may occasionally lift and carry light objects. Walking and/or standing as needed and minimal.

Hazards

• Minimal exposure to hazards are typically found in general office environment where there is rarely to no exposure to injury or accident.

Work Environment

• Exposure to routine office noise and equipment.

The City of Arvada offers a robust Total Rewards package. To find out more details, select here.

Vision: We Dream Big and Deliver

Mission:  We are dedicated to delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.

Values:

• Innovation: We excel in creativity, flexibility and the use of best practices while valuing diverse backgrounds, ideas and perspectives. 

• Passion: We are a high performing, inclusive team inspiring each other to pursue excellence.

• Opportunity: We value our diversity, embrace possibilities, face challenges, persevere and take action to deliver quality results.

The City’s Core values are in every employee’s individual Performance Plan which helps us to reinforce our expectations for living and working by our Core Values. 

Every City employee is expected to perform his/her job to the highest professional standards.  This includes upholding the City’s values with integrity and accountability, acting in a manner that is respectful and inclusive towards others, and adhering to the City’s policy on employee conduct as detailed in the personnel rules sec. 70-143. 

The City is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.