News and Media Officer

Division / Department - Media and Communications
Grade - Grade 10
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - £35,772 - £39,276
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - Yes
Location - Sussex Police Headquarters, Lewes

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.

We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

If you’re an experienced communicator who thrives on variety and compelling news content, then we have a fantastic opportunity to join our award-winning communications team as a News and Media Officer.

As a News and Media Officer you’ll be engaging with the public to protect communities, catch criminals and deliver outstanding services.

Creating compelling news packages online, through social media and news media, you will promote the wide variety of work Sussex Police undertakes, enhancing public understanding and confidence in our service.

Responsible for providing a reactive and proactive news service, your creative multi-media content will support the operational needs of the force, promote positive outcomes and prevent and respond to emerging issues and risks.

As an integral part of the News and Media Team, and the wider Media and Communications Department, you will share ideas and work closely with communications professionals in our other teams.

You will provide advice and guidance to officers and staff at all levels, working closely with partners on a range of issues and events, including high profile and major incidents.

Importantly, you will maintain and enhance relationships with national, regional and local media organisations, providing opportunities for positive and supportive coverage about our service.

If you’re looking for a rewarding, exciting and challenging job and can confidently manage a range of demands on your time then this may be the opportunity you have been looking for.
News and Media Officer key responsibilities:

• Liaise with local policing districts and departments to create proactive news stories, with engaging multi-media content (including image, audio and video) that supports the operational needs of the force, creates positive outcomes and addresses how we prevent and respond to emerging issues and risks.
• Access information, through the monitoring and researching of databases, attendance at meetings and at the scenes of incidents, building relationships with officers and staff, partners and media to provide accurate and relevant proactive and reactive material.
• Manage public confidence issues, monitoring coverage in social media as well as traditional and web-based media outlets, to assess opportunity, issue and risk and respond in a timely and appropriate way.
• To ensure the force is aware of current, emerging and anticipated media issues/public sentiment issues and takes appropriate action.
• Manage media enquiries and foster positive media relations, prioritising and challenging inaccurate or misleading content where appropriate to support operational needs and to help build public confidence in the force.
• Write and implement communications strategies to support operational requirements (criminal…