Press Officer

A Press Officer for the City of Pittsburgh works with their assigned departments to implement strategic communications plans, works with the Press Secretary to respond to local media inquiries, and manages social media for their portfolio of assigned departments.

Department:  Mayor's Office

Salary: $58,352 per year.

Posting Type:  Announcement

Union:  This is a non-union position.

Civil Service Classification:  Exempt

General Application Requirements:

You must submit or show proof of all of the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below) or your application will be disqualified.  Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable) and completed supplemental questions.

• Applicants must be or become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain a resident throughout employment.

• Click here to view a map of City of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

• Applicants must comply with the City of Pittsburgh's COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

NOTE:  The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions.  The background investigation includes but is not limited to criminal background, driver's license and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments.  Candidates may be disqualified from consideration for employment based on the results of their background investigation (as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered).

NOTE:  Candidates being considered for employment will be required to submit official transcripts to verify of their post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to being hired by the City of Pittsburgh.  Transcripts must be submitted at the time of any/each job interview you have with the City of Pittsburgh.

Qualifying Requirements:

Your City of Pittsburgh application will be reviewed, and your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will be sent an eligibility letter regarding your eligible/ineligible status.

• WORK EXPERIENCE: The application must clearly show one (1) to three (3) years of full-time experience in communications, marketing, PR, social media, or equivalent work experience. (Less than full-time experience will be calculated on a pro-rated basis.)
• EDUCATION/TRAINING: The application must clearly show a Bachelor's Degree from a fully accredited institution in Communications, Marketing, or a related field. GISP Certification preferred.  (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).
• EQUIVALENCY:  Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted on a year for year basis if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above). The Total Qualifying Requirement is five (5) to seven (7) years.  (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training).

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s).  You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) in order to have your name placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position.  Candidates who receive job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) prior to start date.

• Written:  None required for this position.

• Performance:  None required for this position.

• Medical:  None required for this position.

• Coordinates with the Press Secretary to develop, manage, and organize communications deliverables for assigned departments.

• Writes press releases, talking points, and assists with organizing press events.

• Updates the official website and manages departmental social media accounts.

• Works with the Press Secretary to respond to local media inquiries related to their assigned departments.

• Compiles local and national news articles daily about their assigned departments for the daily Press Secretary Report.

• Maintains a record of media stories about their assigned departments.

• Represents the Office of the Mayor and the City of Pittsburgh appropriately in public and on social media.

• Works with the Press Secretary and Department Directors to determine the best way to communicate the work of assigned departments.

• Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned or required.

CLICK HERE to view the full job description including knowledge, skills, and abilities and working conditions for this position. Locate and click on the position title to view the complete job description.