News and Media Officer

We are recruiting for a News and Media Officer to join our award-winning team. You will be an integral part of a busy newsdesk that responds to thousands of media enquiries and publishes hundreds of press releases every year, as well as handling communications for some of the most high-profile and major incidents in Sussex. As a News and Media Officer, you will be creating captivating news packages to promote the wide variety of work Sussex Police undertakes. From writing press releases and appeals for information about serious crimes, to working with media outlets to publicise the good work of the force, you will enhance the public's understanding and confidence in our service while supporting the force in its work to protect communities, catch criminals and deliver an outstanding service. You will be responsible for providing a reactive and proactive news service, answering enquiries from local, national, and international media. Supporting the operational needs of the force, you will also organise press interviews, manage the media at scenes, and arrange press briefings and conferences. You will work closely with operational policing teams, building relationships and identifying opportunities to use media relations to enhance positive outcomes and highlight the work of officers and staff. You will also provide advice and guidance to colleagues at all levels, and work closely with partners on a range of issues and events., As a News and Media Officer, your role will involve:

• Liaising with local policing districts and departments to create proactive news stories, with engaging multi-media content (including image, audio and video).
• Accessing information, through the monitoring and researching of databases, attendance at meetings and at the scenes of incidents, building relationships with officers and staff, partners and media to provide accurate and relevant proactive and reactive material.
• Managing public confidence issues, monitoring coverage in social media as well as traditional and web-based media outlets, to assess opportunity, issue and risk and respond in a timely and appropriate way.
• Ensuring the force is aware of current, emerging and anticipated media issues/public sentiment issues and takes appropriate action.
• Managing media enquiries and fostering positive media relations, prioritising and challenging inaccurate or misleading content.
• Writing and implementing communications strategies to support operational requirements (criminal investigations, incidents, events).
• Acting as a Bronze Media Officer in the event of a major/critical incident or planned policing operation.
• Delivering multidisciplinary communications., The department operates seven days a week and staff are required to work approximately one weekend out of eight. When working a weekend shift, you will be given days off in lieu either side of the weekend. You will work on a shift pattern between the hours of 7am and 5.30pm (weekdays) and 8am and 4pm (weekends).
You will also take part in the 24/7 on-call rota on an eight-week rotational basis, for which you will receive additional pay. This comes from an automatic standby allowance per shift spent on-call, and further hourly payments if you are required to work. This role is based at Sussex Police headquarters in Lewes but in support of hybrid working, you will also be able to work from home and from local police stations. All team members are expected to work from HQ or another police site for a minimum of three days per week. As this role requires travel to meetings and locations across Sussex, occasionally at short notice or outside of usual working hours as part of the on-call rota, a full driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential. Please note, this post holds a level of Police Vetting that requires five years of consistent UK residency. Please do not apply if you are unable to meet this compulsory criteria, as unfortunately we will be unable to progress your application.

Do you possess a sharp news sense and excellent writing ability that could be used to make a positive difference in your community? If so, we have the role for you!, The ideal candidate will have exceptional interpersonal skills, be able to remain calm and respond quickly under pressure, and be able to negotiate, persuade and influence at all levels. You will have a good standard of education with a nationally-recognised communications qualification and/or demonstrable experience of working in media relations and PR.,
• Degree level qualification and NCTJ certificate or equivalent professional experience in PR/media relations.
• Experience of media relations and/or PR in a busy and fast-paced news environment; able to demonstrate how media coverage can be achieved with evidence of achieving this on behalf of an organisation.
• Evidence of writing effectively for multiple channels including news releases/articles, online audiences and multi-media social media posts.
• Sound knowledge of media law as applied to off and online information.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, including the ability to turn complex material or jargon into plain English.
• Negotiating and influencing skills and experience of advising people at a senior level and from a range of backgrounds.
• Evidence of publishing and engagement on social media channels including Facebook, Instagram and X.
• Ability to balance and manage conflict between short and long-term priorities and reactive/proactive work under pressures.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent communications skills and team working.
• Ability to negotiate, persuade and influence. Ability to coach others in interview techniques and media work.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and SharePoint.
  
  The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
Chief Constables' Message We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe. We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you. We wish you all the very best with your application. Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner, We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;
• career progression
• contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• generous annual leave allowance
• discounts for everyday spend
• on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• generous and supportive parental leave
• financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• discounted contributory healthcare scheme, Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process. Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;
• vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
• vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
• if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment