PUBLIC RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE III

Number of positions: 1 (additional vacancies possible pending budget approval). Starting salary: $75,336. This position is open to the public and all current City employees covered under the City’s collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME – Bargaining Unit 1, 3, 4 & 5.

About the role

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Public Affairs, the Public Relations Representative III supports the Commission and District Councils by assisting in the development and implementation of strategic communications, media relations, and public outreach initiatives. The position oversees the Commission's website, social media platforms, and digital communications, and develops promotional materials to increase public awareness and engagement with Commission and District Council programs, services, and initiatives.

Background

In July 2021, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance establishing a new model for police oversight, accountability, and public safety. The ordinance creates two bodies: a citywide Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, with power to advance systemic reform, and District Councils which are elected in each police district and work to improve policing and public safety in the district.

The Commission and District Councils bring police officers and Chicago residents together to plan, prioritize, and build mutual trust; strengthen the police accountability system; give Chicagoans a meaningful new role in oversight; and explore and advance alternative effective approaches to public safety.

The Commission and District Councils are supported by a City department, also called the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, with a full-time staff. The Community Commission is a seven-member body whose members must be drawn from across the city and meet work- and experience-related requirements described in the ordinance. Commissioners are nominated by elected District Council members, selected by the Mayor, and confirmed by the City Council. Commissioners serve four-year terms.

The Commission oversees the Police Department, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA), and the Police Board. The Commission’s powers include: playing a central role in selecting and removing the Police Superintendent, COPA Chief Administrator, and Police Board members; setting Police Department policy; establishing annual goals and evaluating progress for CPD, COPA, and the Police Board; and promoting community engagement and transparency.

District Councils have been created in each of the city’s 22 police districts. Each District Council is made up of three people elected in regular municipal elections. Members serve four-year terms. The District Councils’ roles include: building connections between the police and the community at the district level, where the community is a true partner in making the neighborhood safer, addressing problems, and setting priorities; collaborating in the development and implementation of community policing initiatives; holding monthly public meetings, where residents can raise and work to address concerns about policing in the district, increase accountability, and work on local initiatives rooted in community concerns and priorities; working with the community to get input on police department policies and practices; working to develop and expand restorative justice and similar programs in the police district; and ensuring that the Commission gets input from the community, so that the Commission’s work will be based on what people in neighborhoods across the city are concerned about.

Responsibilities

• Participates in and oversees the preparation of news releases, media advisories, public statements, and other communications to inform the public about Commission and District Council meetings, initiatives, events, and programs.
• Prepares and oversees the development of content for the Commission's website, social media platforms, newsletters, brochures, flyers, reports, presentations, and other digital and print communications supporting the Commission and District Councils.
• Attends and coordinates Commission meetings, District Council meetings, community engagement events, press conferences, and stakeholder meetings to promote public awareness of Commission programs, services, and initiatives.
• Designs and coordinates the production of promotional and educational materials, including graphics, banners, posters, flyers, informational packets, and other outreach materials.
• Oversees and provides technical assistance to staff, consultants, and vendors engaged in the preparation and dissemination of Commission and District Council publications and communications.
• Prepares narrative reports and maintains records (e.g., calendars, photo files, contracts, emails, media coverage, digital assets) of public information and event-related activities.
• Coordinates and schedules requests for staff, Commissioners, and District Council members to speak before community groups or news media to explain departmental programs and services.
• Utilizes the Commission's website, social media platforms, email communications, and other digital tools to communicate Commission and District Council meetings, programs, events, reports, and public engagement opportunities.
• Responds to freedom of information requests and inquiries from the public and media regarding department programs and services.
• Supervises the work of staff responsible for mass mailings, as needed.
• Performs related duties as required.

Location

Commission for Public Safety and Accountability (CCPSA)
2 North LaSalle, Chicago, IL 60602
Days: Monday – Friday
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, English or a directly related field, plus three (3) years of work experience in the preparation and dissemination of public information.

Should the above criteria not be fulfilled, the following options are acceptable:

• Seven (7) years of work experience preparing and disseminating public information.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s Degree in Journalism, Communications, English or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of work experience in the preparation and dissemination of public information.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree or higher in Journalism, Communications, English or a directly related field, plus two (2) years of experience in the preparation and dissemination of public information.

Pay

Starting salary: $75,336.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.