Public Safety Communications Specialist

Manages the Davenport Police Department’s public relations, media relations, social media, digital content, recruitment marketing and critical-incident communications. This position works directly under the Chief of Police and in coordination with the City’s central communications department.  This role serves as a communications bridge between the Department, media and community. It develops proactive communications that build trust, explain Department priorities and support recruitment, while providing timely, accurate and transparent information during incidents and emerging issues.  The position ensures communications are consistent with City branding and balances transparency with investigative integrity, privacy, legal requirements and officer and public safety.

Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-ins, when required by critical incidents.

The City of Davenport offers a comprehensive benefit package.  The cost for a family plan for medical, dental, vision and prescription is only $98.61 per month for 2026 and starts on first day of employment. 

The City also offers the following benefits (subject to change):

• Iowa Public Employee’s Retirement Pension plan 
• 457 Deferred Compensation – The City will contribute 5% of the employee’s income to his/her 457 account if the employee contributes at least 1% (applicable to non-bargaining, management exempt employees)
• 13 paid holidays
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

Develops strategies that build public understanding, trust and awareness of Department priorities.

Acts as the direct liaison to the City’s centralized communications team to ensure the Department’s messaging aligns with broader city goals while maintaining tactical independence.  

Builds and maintains professional relationships with local and regional media.

Identifies and promotes newsworthy Department stories, including community policing, crime prevention, recruitment, employee recognition, partnerships, events and positive outcomes.

Proactively pitches stories and provides media with information, subject-matter experts, interviews, photos and video.

Develops an annual communications calendar covering recurring topics, seasonal issues, initiatives and community events.

Creates press releases, media advisories, feature pitches, fact sheets, FAQs and talking points.

Coordinates press conferences, media availabilities and interviews.

Monitors media coverage and community conversations to identify proactive communications opportunities and emerging issues.

Produces, edits and publishes high-quality multimedia content, including videos, graphics, photography and press releases highlighting community police initiatives.   

Develops and executes recruitment communications campaigns for sworn and civilian positions.

Partners with Department leadership and Human Resources to identify hiring priorities, target audiences and recruitment challenges.

Develops candidate profiles and targeted messaging that highlights Department culture, career opportunities, benefits and community impact.

Plans and manages paid social campaigns, including audience/geographic targeting, budgets, creative and optimization.

Uses clear calls to action and UTM tracking to measure traffic and candidate engagement.

Analyzes campaign performance and uses results to improve messaging, targeting and media investment.

Serves as the immediate digital responder during critical incidents, managing real-time public safety alerts, traffic disruptions and emergency updates across all social platforms.   

Ensures all digital outputs, citizen comments and archives comply with state public records laws and evidentiary boundaries; protects confidential, investigative, evidentiary and sensitive information  

Performs related duties as required.  

Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Graphic Design or related field plus at least three (3)  years of professional experience in communications, marketing  or related field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the required work in this position.  

Government, public safety, crisis communications, media relations or other highly regulated/public-facing experience preferred.   

Must be willing to connect an existing personal Facebook account to City of Davenport Facebook Pages, as required for administrative access, in compliance with Meta’s Terms of Service.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain throughout duration of employment.

Must be able to pass a thorough background check and polygraph exam as prescribed by the City of Davenport.

Knowledge of:

Strategic communications, public information and media relations principles and practices.  

Social media platforms, digital marketing, content strategy and audience engagement.  

Video production, photography, graphic design and multimedia storytelling.  

Crisis and emergency communications.  

Recruitment marketing and digital advertising strategies.  

Public records laws, records retention requirements and appropriate handling of potentially evidentiary digital content.  

Government operations and the role of law enforcement communications within a municipal organization.   

Professional standards concerning confidentiality, privacy, ethics and sensitive law-enforcement information.  

Skill in:

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to develop and evaluate digital recruitment campaigns using engagement and performance metrics.

Ability to anticipate communication needs and develop proactive messaging strategies.  

Strong media relations and spokesperson skills.

Ability to write clear, accurate, and professional press releases, official statements, public notice, and social-media content.

Strong editing, proofreading and storytelling skills.

Ability to produce high-quality photographs, videos, graphics and other digital content.

Proficiency with social media management and digital publishing platforms.

Ability to manage multiple communications projects and competing deadlines.

Strong crisis-management and rapid-response communication skills.

Ability to communicate effectively with police personnel, city officials, community members, journalists and the public.

Strong interpersonal, organizational and project-management skills.

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

Ability to remain calm, accurate and professional during critical incidents and high-pressure situations.

Ability to work independently while following the direction and priorities of department leadership.