Public Affairs Manager - San Diego Police Department

Public opinion plays a crucial role in shaping an organization's success. Therefore, having an effective Public Affairs Manager is essential. The Public Affairs Manager will oversee the implementation of legislative mandates at the federal, state, and local levels, ensuring seamless integration of legislative changes across the San Diego Police Department. This includes updating departmental policies and procedures, enhancing police training, and refining field practices.

The Public Affairs Manager will evaluate existing police policies through an equity lens to align with the city’s diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives. The role requires strong oral and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and administrative abilities, with a focus on internal coordination rather than outward-facing activities. The manager must be knowledgeable about legislative impacts on law enforcement and skilled in managing media relations, including communication with media outlets and social media. Additionally, the manager will be responsible for updating the community on significant developments within the police department. Reporting directly to the Police Chief, this position is a key member of the Chief’s Executive Committee.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Plan, develop, implement, and organize the Police Department’s communications, public information, public relations, and community outreach strategies regarding legislative mandates
• Advise command staff on communication strategies and implementation
• Develop and administer goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for public affairs manager
• Facilitate programs for citizens to enhance understanding of policing
• Select and appoint section staff, ensuring their morale, productivity, and professional development
• Develop and administer marketing information for staff, community organizations, and media inquiries
• Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s media outlets, social media, messaging and public affairs image and reputation
• Coordinate, train, and align inter-departmental program functions to ensure consistent communication and engagement
• Develop short- and long-range plans for marketing, events, outreach, and engagement needs
• Plan, coordinate, and conduct community events, presentations, and educational programs
• Collaborate with City staff, departments, and divisions to communicate and market programs and services
• Represent the San Diego Police Department in meetings with commissions, community groups, governmental bodies, the media, and the public
• Provide guidance to staff on communicating difficult and complex matters
• Direct and recommend the selection and purchase of materials, equipment, and contractual services
• Develop strategies for public affairs related programs expansion.
• Oversee the production of all department’s website, written material, social media, and graphics contents
• Prepare and present comprehensive analytical and statistical reports, interpreting data, identifying alternatives, and justifying conclusions, forecasts, and recommendations
• Oversee one or more direct reports
• Must be able to work weekends and nights to meet departmental and community needs

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, Communication, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of direct professional experience and/or cumulative experiences
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Strong administrative and organizational abilities
• Proven ability to work effectively with diverse populations from various backgrounds
• Adaptable and able to navigate ambiguity with ease

Benefits:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.)
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services)
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships
• City-paid life insurance

The Department:

For 134 years, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has served the residents of the City with professionalism, dependability, and integrity. The mission of the Department is accomplished through the practice of neighborhood-based policing and problem solving through community partnerships. This approach requires a shared responsibility between the Police Department and the residents of San Diego for addressing underlying problems contributing to crime and the fear of crime. Staff at the SDPD work together in a problem-solving partnership with communities, government agencies, private groups, and individuals to fight crime and improve the quality of life for the residents and visitors of San Diego. For more information on department programs, please visit the Police Department’s website: sandiego.gov/police.