Crime Prevention Specialist - Outreach

The City of Roanoke is seeking a Crime Prevention Specialist to perform administrative and public relations work involving the development and implementation of crime prevention programs, methods, and techniques for individuals, businesses and community groups. The successful candidate will be responsible for community initiatives and the exchange of information between the Department and the public through the media (live and social). Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university with major course work in criminal justice, communications, journalism, broadcasting or related field supplemented by two or more years of related experience and/or training in crime prevention, law enforcement, editorial work or marketing. Must have demonstrated experience in public speaking and audio/video production methods.

The City of Roanoke is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA/M/F/Disability Employer.

To elevate the performance of the organization, we are committed to respecting, celebrating, and embracing the collective mixture of differences and similarities between our employees as a rich tapestry. Our behaviors will demonstrate open communication, and we will seek opportunities to learn, recognizing and rewarding actions that promote acceptance while suspending judgment. By doing this, we will foster an inclusive, open work environment that delivers excellent service and creates a more vibrant and inviting community.

This is an exempt position.SUMMARY 
Performs administrative and public relations work involving the development and implementation of crime prevention programs, methods, and techniques for individuals, businesses and community groups.  Responsible for community initiatives and the exchange of information between the Department and the public through the media.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Designs and maintains a comprehensive crime prevention program and researches, designs and develops departmental crime prevention publications and website

Establishes strategies to build community relationships by ensuring the open exchange of accurate information through community input and partnerships 

Develops and implements crime prevention and community policing programs to foster community involvement; encourages citizens to participate in crime prevention initiatives

Surveys residents and businesses to obtain and evaluate information regarding interest in and acceptance of existing and potential crime prevention programs

Serves as the liaison between the Neighborhood Watch associations and the department; assists with National Night Out activities

Conducts crime prevention training programs for department staff and community organizations

Organizes the development and implementation of methods for communicating information to the public by use of videos, email, Internet, brochures, news releases, presentations, crime maps, media outlets, public broadcasting or other mediums;  produces television public service announcements

Consults with businesses regarding crime prevention and community involvement and provides recommendations to improve security and prevent losses

Attends business association meetings to explain the crime prevention programs and solicit their cooperation and support

Applies departmental and US Department of Justice crime prevention programs to meet the needs of the community

Suggests improvements in department practices relevant to police community interaction

Maintains positive contacts with the media, enhancing the image of the department while providing the public with information that is complete, accurate and up-to-date

Arranges for and assists at news conferences; reviews information for release by department personnel

Maintains the department's calendar of community group events and interaction activities

Creates educational brochures and flyers that are used to inform the community about issues such as crime prevention and various services offered by the department

Responds to and resolves citizen inquiries and complaints

Researches new topics and legislation in crime prevention

Assists in police planning for major events and festivals

Assists with design and preparation of the department's annual report

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 
This job has no supervisory responsibilitiesQUALIFICATIONS 
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 
Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university with major course work in criminal justice, communications, journalism, broadcasting or related field supplemented by two or more years of related experience and/or training in crime prevention, law enforcement, editorial work or marketing. Must have demonstrated experience in public speaking and audio/video production methods.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Subject to call out at night and/or on weekends. LANGUAGE SKILLS 
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond effectively to inquiries or complaints from members of the business community, state and federal grant agencies, city officials and employees orally and in writing. Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to city council, management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Ability to negotiate and resolve conflicts. 

REASONING ABILITY 
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve problems, interpret an extensive variety of technical information and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Ability to identify key stakeholders and create teams to solve complex issues. Ability to think strategically.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This is a job description and not an individualized position description. A job description defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification, but it is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.