PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - POLICE DEPARTMENT

PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - POLICE DEPARTMENT

Salary

$50,757.00 - $58,037.00 Annually

Location

Towson, MD

Job Type

MERIT

Job Number

01.128 11-2026

Department

POLICE

Opening Date

11/06/2026

Closing Date

11/27/2026 4:30 PM Eastern

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Pay Schedule I, Grade 26, Regular Schedule: 35 hours per week

Vacancies exists in the Police Department, Office of the Chief/Public Affairs Section.

A list of eligible applicants will be established based on the examination as outlined below.

Current and future vacancies occurring in any Office or Department of Baltimore County General Government may be filled from the list of eligible applicants.

All interested transfer and promotional candidates must apply at this time.

List all promotions and changes in job duties due to reclassification as separate work experience on your application. Applicants must include the dates of the promotions and reclassifications.

Note: Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for a position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

You MUST attach your transcript(s) and/or certification(s)/license(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of Education and/or Certification(s)/License(s) will result in your application not being considered. Proof of education, certification(s) and/or license(s) must be submitted with each application.

Examples of Duties

Under general supervision, prepares information for public release and assists County agencies in developing and implementing public relations and information programs.

Essential Job Duties

• Video recording, Adobe Premiere Pro editing, create visual and interactive content for social media.
• Attends, photographs, and posts public events.
• Livestreams agency events.
• Advises department heads, agency representatives, and others regarding public relations and information related matters.
• Develops and coordinates advertising and marketing strategies.
• Prepares educational and promotional materials.
• Schedules the release of promotional materials and secures public service time from local broadcast media.
• Writes original scripts and coordinates the production and airing of public service announcements and other media programs.
• Reviews, coordinates, rewrites, edits, and designs bulletins, pamphlets, internal and external newsletters, exhibits, and other materials which explain agency programs and policies.
• Researches, writes, and edits technical and procedural manuals.
• Researches and gathers information to be used in public information programs.

Examples of Other Duties

• Takes photographs for County publications.
• Uses desktop publishing, word processing, or typesetting equipment, Adobe Creative Suite.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• On occasion work weekends.

(NOTE: The duties and responsibilities listed above are for the purpose of determining a common set of minimum qualifications for all positions in this class. They may not include all of the essential job functions of each position in the class. Each position may not be required to perform all of the essential job functions listed

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in journalism, English, mass communications, or a closely related field.

PLUS

One year of experience in journalism, creative writing, public relations, or closely related work.

(Additional experience in the areas listed above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of four years for the required education. Education in one of the fields listed above beyond a bachelors degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Entry Level)

• Thorough knowledge of English grammar and spelling.
• Knowledge of the writing techniques and styles of journalism.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of layout, paste up, and basic graphic design.
• Knowledge of public relations techniques.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to plan, develop, organize, and coordinate public information and public relations programs.
• Ability to research and organize data.
• Ability to write original copy and to assemble, edit, and rewrite other copy.
• Ability to prepare copy for publication.
• Ability to write speeches, scripts, and news releases.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to lead and instruct others.
• Ability to use desktop publishing, word processing, or typesetting equipment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Full Performance)

• Knowledge of the public information and public relations needs of the department.
• Knowledge of effective methods of obtaining adequate publicity for programs and activities of the department.
• Knowledge of County and departmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing performance of duties.
• Skill in planning, developing, organizing, and coordinating public information and public relations programs for the department.
• Public speaking skills.
• Skill in researching and organizing data.
• Skill in writing original copy and assembling, editing, and rewriting other copy.
• Skill in preparing copy for publication.
• Skill in writing speeches, scripts, and news releases.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to utilize all available media in order to meet the needs of the department.
• Skill in creating, editing, and producing video, photographic, and other multimedia content for digital and social media platforms.
• Skill in developing and administering content for organizational social media and digital platforms.
• Skill in conducting on-camera interviews and communicating effectively with news media regarding incidents, programs, and other matters of public interest.
• Ability to communicate effectively and exercise sound judgement in high-pressure, rapidly developing, and sensitive situations.

Proof of License(s), Certification(s) and Education

Applicants are required to submit proof of license(s), certification(s) and education beyond high school to meet the required and preferred qualifications of the position. Diplomas or transcripts must show the applicants major field of study. Copies and unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Failure to submit proof of License(s), Certification(s) and Education will result in your application not being considered. Proof of license(s), certification(s), and/or education must be submitted with each application.

You MUST attach your transcript(s) and/or certification(s)/license(s) to your application. Unofficial copies are acceptable.

Proof of Degree Equivalency

Applicants who have obtained a degree from outside the United States of America are required to submit degree equivalence documentation from World Education Services, Inc. (www.WES.org).

Mail or deliver documents to:

ATTN: Public Information Specialist - Police Department

Office of Human Resources

Baltimore County Government

308 Allegheny Avenue

Towson, MD 21204

EXAMINATION PROCEDURE

Applicants will be qualified based on an evaluation of their training and experience, as stated on their application, which includes answers to the supplemental questions. Applicants must state the dates and duties of past and present experience clearly and completely for evaluation purposes.

Conditions of Employment

Physical and Environmental Conditions

The work of this classification is essentially sedentary with some walking, standing, or other limited physical activity. Some duties entail the operation of office and other equipment requiring manipulative and coordinative skills. Some duties may require traveling between work sites.

Medical Examination and Employment Background Investigation

Applicants selected for employment with Baltimore County must successfully complete a physical examination, drug screening and employment investigation, including, but not limited to criminal background, education certification and fingerprinting checks.

Employment Benefits for Full-Time, Merit or Classified Employees

Baltimore County General Government offers the following benefits to full-time,merit or classified employees. Some benefits vary for sworn employees of the Police and Fire Departments. New employees are eligible for benefits upon hire, unless noted otherwise.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Baltimore County is an equal opportunity employer and encourages minority, female and disabled applicants.

Smoke free workplace

All Baltimore County offices are smoke free.

Drug free workplace

Baltimore County provides a drug free workplace. Prospective employees are required to submit to urinalysis drug testing as part of the pre-employment physical examination.

Salary

Annual Salary review - Step increases may be granted on anniversary date based on satisfactory job performance

General Increases - Cost of living increases and adjustments may be granted as legislated.

Longevity Increases - In accordance with the specific pay schedule, a full-time merit or classified employee may receive a longevity increase, equivalent to one step, upon completion of a certain number of years of classified service with the County.

Employee Assistance Program

Our Employee Assistance Program provides confidential and professional assessment and referral assistance for employees and eligible dependents in the household who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting work performance, job satisfaction, or overall quality of life.

Health Insurance

Health Insurance benefits elected become effective the first day of the month following the date of hire if the employee has completed online enrollment prior to that date. New employees must enroll within thirty (30) calendar days of hire. Plans offered include:

Medical, Prescription, Dental and Vision insurance.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Opportunity to set aside pre-tax dollars, through payroll deduction, for eligible unreimbursed medical care expenses and/or dependent care costs.

Life Insurance

Employees may elect basic term life insurance for themselves equal to one time the employees annual salary, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Employees contribute a portion of the premium through monthly payroll deductions. The County also offers an Additional/Employee paid Life Insurance plan with coverage up to $100,000.

Retirement

Employees are required to participate in the Baltimore County Employees Retirement System (ERS), with very limited exceptions.

Paid Leave

Paid benefits listed below vary depending upon the Classification.

Sick Leave

Vacation Leave

Personal Leave

Holidays

Bereavement Leave

Jury Leave

Military Leave

Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union

Membership in Baltimore County Employees Federal Credit Union offers a full range of savings programs, loans, checking, direct deposit, payroll deduction, savings bonds, and other financial services.

Direct Deposit

Payroll through direct deposit to the financial institution selected by employee is required.

Educational Assistance

70 to 80 percent tuition reimbursement following successful completion of pre-approved courses related to position. Amount of reimbursement and fiscal year dollar limitations vary with bargaining group.

Deferred Compensation

Nationwide Retirement Solutions offers a 457 retirement plan allowing for payroll contributions of tax deferred dollars to investment options of your choice.

Disclaimer

This is only a summary of benefits and policies in Baltimore County. Any benefit or policy may be changed at any time at the discretion of the administration. This summary does not constitute an express or implied contract, nor does it constitute a guarantee that your employment relationship will continue for any specified period of time or end only under certain conditions.

01

The purpose of the supplemental questions listed below is to further evaluate your experience and education to determine your eligibility for this job classification. Answer each question accurately and thoroughly. To be considered for this position, the experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of this application. Questions with text answers require you to include the name of the employer/organization and dates of the specific experience.

• I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.

02

Failure to complete all fields of the "Work Experience/History" section of the application will result in your application not being considered. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications for this position. Applicants selected for an interview may provide a resume at that time.

• I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

03

Are you currently a merit (full-time), non-merit (part-time), or temporary employee of the Baltimore County General Government? Employees of Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Library, Baltimore Countys court systems or Baltimore County Community College and employees of temporary services used by the County are not considered employees of the Baltimore County General Government.

• Yes
• No

04

The position you are applying for requires proof of education and/or licenses beyond high school in order to qualify. You must submit this proof as instructed on the job posting. If you do not submit the transcript(s) or license(s) by the closing date, your application will not be considered further.

• I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.

05

Select the option that best describes your education and experience.

• Masters degree in journalism, English, or mass communications or a closely related field.
• Bachelors degree in journalism, English, mass communications or a closely related field; plus one (1) year of experience in journalism, creative writing, public relations, or closely related work.
• AA degree in journalism, English, mass communications or a closely related field; plus three (3) years of experience in journalism, creative writing, public relations or a closely related field.
• High School diploma or an appropriate equivalent; plus five (5) years of experience in journalism, creative writing, or public relations.
• I do not have any of the combinations of education and experience.

06

Provide specific example(s) of the experience you cited in the previous question. Include the employer(s) and date(s) you performed these duties. If you chose "I do not have any of the combinations of education and experience" in the previous question, respond by entering N/A to this question.

07

Do you have work experience creating educational and promotional materials used in a public information program(s)?

• Yes
• No

08

Provide specific example(s) of the experience you cited in the previous question. Include the employer(s) and date(s) you performed these duties. If you chose "No" in the previous question, respond by entering N/A to this question.

09

Describe your experience shooting, editing, and producing video content. Include the types of content you produced, your specific role in shooting and editing the content, the editing software or applications you used, and the employer(s) and dates where you obtained this experience.

10

Describe your experience working with news media on behalf of an organization. Include your experience responding to media inquiries, coordinating interviews, preparing information for release, working with reporters, and handling breaking or sensitive matters. Include the employer(s) and dates where you obtained this experience.

11

Do you have work experience shooting and editing still photos in a public information environment?

• Yes
• No

12

Provide specific example(s) of the experience you cited in the previous question. Include the employer(s) and date(s) you performed these duties. If you chose "No" in the previous question, respond by entering N/A to this question.

Required Question

Employer Baltimore County

Address 308 Allegheny Avenue

Towson, Maryland, 21204

Phone 410-887-3135

Website http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov