Entry Level Public Information Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary The City of Annapolis is seeking a creative, articulate, and media-savvy professional to serve as Assistant Public Information Officer (PIO) within the Mayor's Office. Working under general supervision from the Public Information Officer, this position actively drives public outreach, digital media delivery, municipal branding, and executive communications across all City departments and community platforms. The ideal candidate possesses exceptional writing and editing skills anchored in Associated Press (AP) style, strong editorial judgment, and hands-on digital media production capabilities.

Responsibilities include developing digital content, managing the official twice-monthly Mayor's newsletter, authoring ceremonial proclamations and citations, capturing event photography/videography, and supporting press releases and public relations campaigns. Essential Job Functions Digital Media & Social Channels: Creates dynamic content for and maintains the City's official social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, blogs, and website Content Management Systems). Executive Publications & Ceremonial Items: Authors and manages the production of the twice-monthly Mayor's newsletter and drafts ceremonial proclamations, citations, press releases, speeches, letters, and blog posts

Event & On-Scene Coverage: Attends City events, press conferences, and public functions to provide live digital communications coverage utilizing basic photography and videography principles. Interdepartmental Content Editing: Reviews and edits written content created by other City staff (including departmental letters, grant proposals, and public notices) to ensure consistent municipal branding and message clarity. Intergovernmental & Media Relations: Builds and maintains cooperative working relationships with communications counterparts across local, county, regional, and state government entities.

Public Information & Confidentiality: Supports emergency and routine public information activities under strict confidentiality protocols. Legislative & Executive Support: Provides occasional support during City Council meetings and represents the Mayor's Office at public functions as directed. Qualifications Editorial & AP Style Mastery: Thorough command of Associated Press (AP) writing style, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and structural syntax across diverse media formats.

Digital Publishing & CMS Tools: Proficiency in modern social media management platforms, web Content Management Systems (CMS), Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail), and the ability to learn Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop and InDesign). Visual Media Production: Knowledge of basic photography and videography principles to capture high-quality digital content during live events. Cultural Competency: Strong understanding of, and sensitivity toward, the unique needs and challenges of diverse cultural, racial, and socio-economic groups across the Annapolis community.

Deadline Management: Ability to organize documents, manage multiple concurrent assignments, and produce accurate content under tight, deadline-driven pressures. QualificationsMinimum Education & Experience Requirements: Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, Communications, Communication Design, Web Design, or a closely related field; AND Experience: Some professional experience in public relations, public affairs, marketing, journalism, digital media, or a closely related field. Combination Option: An acceptable combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications: Multilingual Ability: Fluency or proficiency in Spanish language skills (desired, but not required). Employment Conditions Physical Demands: Primarily sedentary office work requiring standard keyboarding and workstation duties, with light physical effort. Environmental & Travel Demands: Requires local travel to off-site community events, press conferences, and public meetings, including occasional evening or weekend hours.

Sensory Demands: Adequate visual acuity to operate digital monitors, review dense documents, and edit visual media; clear hearing and speaking capabilities for multi-party consultations and public representation. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement The City of Annapolis Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment against any person seeking employment or employed in the civil service because of any consideration of political or religious affiliation or belief, race, color, sex, age, family status, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.