Public Information Officer

Salary: $60,169.00 - $75,211.00 Annually
Location : Oro Valley, AZ
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 25/26 - 00031
Department: Town Manager's Office
Opening Date: 12/01/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

POSITION SUMMARY
First review of applications December 19, 2025

Interviews will be conducted after the Holidays
Starting Salary Depending on Experience and Qualifications
Under general supervision, develops, implements, and maintains an effective public information program, serve as the Town's spokesperson and primary media liaison; develop media releases, articles, talking points and fact sheets; assist with managing the Town's online presence, including content development for social media platforms; and assist with other communications and marketing copy writing, collateral development, or related tasks as needed.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Acts as Town's official spokesperson and media liaison.
• Communicates with assigned division/department personnel and other Town employees, the general public and the media.
• Coordinates with Communications and Marketing Administrator to develop media releases, speaking points, fact sheets and speeches regarding Town programs, services, initiatives and events.
• Develops and prepares reports, informational flyers, newsletters and articles for public information or for internal use.
• Assists Council and Town staff in developing presentations.
• Plans and develops content (including video and photos) for social media platforms and the Town's website to educate the community and other target audiences, and to promote various Town events, programs and initiatives.
• Provides as-needed support/coverage for other roles/functions within the Town's Communications and Marketing Division.
• Provides copy writing and expert-level editorial review of Town/department documents, projects, notifications and presentations.
• Provides photography services at various Town or community meetings and events.
• Provides Town Council and Town management with support/information on issues of interest to the community and the media.
• Responds to an emergency response scene as necessary and coordinate with appropriate personnel on information to release to media, public and internal staff.
• Responds via phone/email/messaging for after-hours emergencies, including communicating with Town Council and management, posting on social media sites, etc.
• Serves a supporting role in the content management of the Town website, updating content as needed.
• Serves as a member of the Communications and Marketing Division, within the Department of the Town Manager.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to manage time and meet strict deadlines to complete projects and assignments.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow up on work assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work with the media, write press releases, and serve as the media point-of-contact/spokesperson.
• Knowledge of and experience using major social media platforms.
• Knowledge of Associated Press (AP) Style.
• Knowledge of best practices of public relations, media relations, communications, promotional and marketing methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of development techniques for various print and digital publications, such as press releases, newsletters, e-blasts, reports, brochures, etc.
• Knowledge of Town and Department policies and procedures.
• Skill in using computer software and applications related to photography, graphic design and social media.
• Skill in writing and editing at an expert level.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Journalism, English, Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years' experience in communications, journalism, media or public relations.
• Must possess a valid Class D Arizona driver license upon the first day of employment.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is performed in an indoor and outdoor environment.
• Must be able to lift or move up to ten (10) pounds.
• Regular and reliable attendance; may work more than forty hours in a workweek without additional compensation to perform assigned job duties, including weekends, evenings, early morning hours, and holidays as required.

The Town of Oro Valley is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The Town does not discriminate in the provision of employment opportunities, benefits or privileges; create discriminatory work conditions; or use discriminatory evaluative standards in employment if the basis of that discriminatory treatment is, in whole or in part, the person's race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability status, gender, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, genetic information or marital status.
Why Apply

Oro Valley is a planned community cradled in the shadows of the magnificent Santa Catalina Mountains, with hiking trails through Catalina State Park, hiking and bicycle trails throughout the Town, world-class golf courses, horseback riding and a long-valued cultural tradition, vibrant for over a thousand years. Oro Valley has received many accolades through the years and is proud to have been named: Best Places to Live in Arizona, Best Towns for Families and Best Places in America to Live and Launch a Small Business.

Oro Valley is located in northern Pima County, just three miles north of Tucson, and a quick drive to the University of Arizona and Tucson International Airport. With average high temperatures of 83.4 degrees, average lows of 53.8 degrees, the town sits at an elevation of 2,640 feet, covers more than 34 square miles and has a current population of 41,011. Oro Valley was incorporated in April, 1974. Oro Valley is also quickly developing a strong reputation as home to the emerging bioscience and biotech industries. We are a young, diverse, dynamic community with a responsive government and our schools are among the finest in Arizona.
The Town of Oro Valley has a council/manager form of government. Six council members and the mayor are elected for four-year terms. The town manager is appointed by town council. The Town of Oro Valley provides high-quality services including: police, planning, zoning, construction, inspection, transit services, traffic engineering, street maintenance, storm water management, flood control, water utility, parks, recreation, aquatics, library, cultural resources, economic development, constituent services, community and media relations, budget development, debt and investment management, attorney services, magistrate court and more.
Town of Oro Valley currently has a benefits program that is currently offered to employees of the Town who work 20 or more hours per week on a regular basis. (Part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week may qualify for participation in the individual plans, dependent upon the specific terms of coverage.) Please click on the following link to get a full description of all the benefits that the Town of Oro Valley offers.

Town of Oro Valley Benefits Guide 2025/2026
01

Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Journalism, English, Communications, Public Relations, Public Administration, or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have four (4) years' experience in communications, journalism, media or public relations? Please explain.
03

Please tell us why you are interested in working for the Town of Oro Valley, and how you are prepared to work a high-profile position in a sometimes politically sensitive environment.
04

Describe your experience working directly with elected officials and department directors/C-suite executives.
05

Good writing skills are essential in this position. Tell us about three other skills or abilities you bring to this position that you believe would be just as important for a successful public information officer.
06

Have you attached your resume, cover letter and three professional references?

• Yes
• No

Required Question