Public Information Officer - City of Alexandria VA

About the City of Alexandria
 The City of Alexandria is in northern Virginia and bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), and Arlington and Fairfax Counties. Alexandria is a unique, historic city that was founded almost 50 years before the District of Columbia.  The city is part of a large metropolitan area of the nation’s capital, yet it has retained its historic small-town character. Alexandria has one of the highest per capita incomes, and one of the highest higher education attainment levels in the United States
 
 Alexandria’s population is both growing and evolving, and our work to engage and communicate with all Alexandrians must grow and evolve. The City’s 2020 population was nearly 160,000 people, an increase of almost 20,000 residents within the past decade. The Hispanic/Latino community’s population grew from 22,524 to 29,372 residents (30%), far outpacing Alexandria's overall growth (13.9%).  In addition, 28% of the City’s population is foreign-born and 31% of our population speaks a language other than English at home. Students in our school system, and their families, hail from more than 119 countries and speak 124 languages.
 
The Opportunity 
The City of Alexandria is seeking a dynamic and creative Public Information Officer to join the Office of Communications and Community Engagement team. This role combines strategic communication, public relations, and exceptional design and video production skills to effectively convey our organization’s message to the public. The ideal candidate will be a skilled storyteller with a strong understanding of visual communication and the ability to create engaging content across various platforms.

• Develop and execute comprehensive public information strategies to enhance the organization’s reputation and visibility.
• Write press releases, media advisories, and other communications materials.
• Develop and manage social media campaigns to engage target audiences.
• Create compelling visual content, including graphics, infographics, and illustrations.
• Manage video production from concept to completion, including scripting, shooting, editing, and post-production and prepare for social media, websites and presentations.
• Monitor media coverage and analyze public sentiment.
• Collaborate with Public Information Officers across the City to develop and implement communication plans.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

About the Office of Communications & Community Engagement
The City of Alexandria is committed to reaching our community members where they are. Our goal is to use intentional engagement practices and strategies to increase community awareness of City programs, resources, and initiatives; expand language accessibility; nurture community relationships; and develop consistent and reliable approaches to receive and implement resident feedback.
 
 The Office of Communications & Community Engagement (OCCE) is charged with elevating the work of the City through robust storytelling and outreach to our various audiences.  The vision for creative, accessible, and equitable citywide communications must begin with ongoing, authentic, relationship-building with residents, businesses, and community organizations throughout Alexandria – especially in Alexandria’s diverse, historically-marginalized communities who have not been consistently engaged.
 
 The OCCE is working to reimagine and expand the current scope of the City’s communications and community engagement efforts with a focus on establishing, nurturing, and leveraging authentic, meaningful relationships with the City’s most important asset – its people. We are working to establish a dynamic operation that places our residents’ needs and concerns not just in mind but makes them a key part of the direction that guides our strategies, plans and actions.