Public Information Officer II

The City of Oakland is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity, inclusion, and equity. Oakland has a long history of activism around issues of justice and equity. Both oppression and this resistance to oppression have shaped the city’s historical roots and the lives of its residents to this day. As public servants in one of the most diverse cities in the nation, we strive to develop employees who understand the harm and impacts of systemic inequity to create lasting, meaningful outcomes for everyone.

Oakland strives to establish an environment that embraces the richness of culture, community, and individualism of employees.

Do you know how to tell a story that gets people’s attention and helps them understand what matters?

The Oakland Police Department is looking for a Public Information Officer II to join the media team and help shape how Oakland sees, understands, and connects with its Police Department.

You will be on the front lines of communications, working with the media, highlighting the people behind the badge, creating content, managing social media, producing videos, and sharing information important to Oakland residents, businesses, and visitors during some of the most challenging moments our community faces.

If you are ready to put your communications skills to work in a meaningful public service career and join a team that is Building Trust and Strengthening Community, we want to hear from you!

• A strong writer. You can explain complex information clearly and accurately to the public during critical incidents, and you can pivot quickly when situations change without sacrificing accuracy or composure.
• Community-first minded. You are genuinely invested in building trust between the Police Department and the community we serve.
• A confident and skilled public speaker. You can communicate clearly and build relationships with people at all levels, from elected officials and senior City leaders to reporters, front-line staff, and community members.
• Collaborative, creative, self‑motivated, team‑oriented, and compassionate. You bring a positive, solutions‑focused approach to your work and remain focused on achieving shared goals.
• A knowledgeable media professional. You are comfortable working with reporters, understand news cycles, and can build strong, professional relationships with local media outlets.
• Experienced in social media and photo/video production. You can create engaging, data‑informed content for the public and have experience in digital media, journalism, visual storytelling, or crisis communications.

• Consulting with departments and collaborating with the Citywide Communications and Engagement team.
• Providing timely responses to media inquiries and working with departmental experts to gather information, develop accurate messages, and prepare talking points for department leaders.
• Monitoring the news and social media to identify emerging issues, misinformation, and opportunities to strengthen public engagement.
• Creating and editing social media and web content, including managing visual assets (videography, photography, infographics) to support clear and simple visual communications.
• Supporting employee communications.
• Participating in the City’s Emergency Public Information Officer Team and supporting public information needs in an emergency or disaster.
• Drafting news releases, advisories, statements, social media posts, and other public‑facing communications.

• You will be part of a cohesive, high‑performing, collaborative, and effective citywide communications and engagement team that readily…