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Communications Officer

Employer
West Midlands Police
Location
Birmingham, West Midlands
Salary
£28,353-£34,614
Closing date
3 Jun 2019
Reference
1900009E

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Sector
Emergency Services
Job Type
Communications / Marketing / PR
Contract Type
Permanent
Working Pattern
Standard
Hours
Full-Time

Job Details

Grade: Band D Lower
Salary: £28,353-£34,614 +shift allowance of 12.5%, a weekend allowance of 2.25%
Closing Date: 3rd June 2019


West Midlands Police is recruiting a Communications Officer to join a busy Newsdesk within the Corporate Communications department.


Reporting to a News Producer, the successful candidate will join a fast-paced and exciting environment promoting the second largest force in the country. 


They will have experience of working in a busy newsroom or public relations environment, have excellent verbal, written and communication skills and experience of producing high quality news content across a wide range of platforms. They will maximise opportunities to engage with internal and external audiences through regular, transparent, effective and accurate updates often in challenging, pressurised and time-critical situations.

The successful candidate should have experience of dealing with the media on a daily basis, experience of managing communications issues, experience of using social media effectively and have proven written and communication skills. They must also be able to manage a number of tasks at the same time.

Duties and responsibilities:

As part of the specialist news production team:

  • Deliver speedy, accurate and well-produced information to engage with the media, and engaging with public and partners.
  • Work as part of the team on the media desk logging, assessing and delivering timely and proportionate responses to media enquiries.
  • Identify and manage the provision and support of appropriate spokespeople on force reputational issues and communications activity based on professional judgement.
  • Manage officers at crime scenes and court in respect of media opportunities.
  • Maximise/minimise opportunities and managing threats to the force’s reputation, manage consequences of output appropriately with key stakeholders.
  • Implement communications strategies for force and local events.
  • Challenge and influence staff at all levels and stakeholders.
  • Provide basic advice and guidance on media law; actively use expertise in daily work to ensure work is lawful.
  • Deliver timely messaging to support significant investigations, operations, NPU objectives or Gold activity.
  • Crisis management - first point of contact during office hours for officers and staff and specifically FIM/FCC, to provide corporate communications advice and guidance before elevating reputational/confidence damaging issues to managers if required.
  • Identify opportunities to reinforce the force’s vision and promote the effective work of the force, crime prevention messaging and take opportunities to build trust and confidence to reinforce the force’s vision through:
  • Reactive work with the media, partners and stakeholders as well as officers and staff. 
  • Researching, writing and promoting proactive communications opportunities for traditional and social media to reassure the public, promote WMP and combat crime 
  • Working creatively to promote the force through original editorial content using numerous media methods.

An understanding of ICT skills, social media and web based engagement is required as well as knowledge of media-related law, data protection and copyright law. The individual would be able to use their own initiative as well as working as part of a team.

We offer an extensive benefits package including a competitive salary - starting at £28,353 - with yearly increments (subject to review). This post also currently attracts a shift allowance of 12.5%, a weekend allowance of 2.25% (subject to review) and a minimum of 28 days annual leave (plus Bank Holidays).

We also offer an excellent range of employee benefits, generous local government pension scheme (based on career average earnings) and access to exclusive clubs and associations.

West Midlands Police has an award winning commitment to diversity and inclusion, and family friendly working practices.

Specialist Skills and Knowledge:

Essential:

Knowledge of news and the media environment

Understanding of social media and web-based engagement

Discretion and awareness of confidentiality

Full, clean driving licence

Qualifications and experience:

Essential:

Proven writing skills

Proven communications skills

Experience of using social media effectively

IT skills

Desirable:

Press or PR experience

Experience of dealing with major initiatives or experience

Recognised journalist or PR qualification

Media law, data protection legislation and copyright law

Interviews are likely to take place week commencing 10th June 2019.

For more information about this role, please contact Head of News, Sarah Astbury or News Producer Deb Edmonds on 0121 626 5858.

West Midlands Police are currently undertaking a long term review of staff pay and conditions.  The grade, pay and other terms of employment are therefore subject to review and may change in the future.

Company

The West Midlands Police is made up of people like you who want crime to be reduced in our communities and for them to protected. Join us! To continue making a difference in the West Midlands region.

Company info
Website
Telephone
0121 626 5100
Location
Police Headquarters
West Midlands Police
Lloyd House, Colmore Circus
Birmingham
West Midlands
B4 6NQ
United Kingdom

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