interview

Describe yourself:

• Authentic

• Reliable/ Dependable

• Enthusiastic/ positive

• Honest

• Hardworking

• Team Player

• Resourceful

• Inquisitive

• Personable, relatable

• Compelling Storyteller- using a creative brainstorming process

• Video editing, creating- Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Canva, Apps

Past Experience:

• DARE instructor

• DTac instructor, Axon Certified

• Parent Project Instructor

• Crisis Negotiations- FBI certification

• Supervisor and Manager in the jails, schools, explorers, VIPS and city staff

• SRO and NRO- crime trends and data analysis

• City’s Primary Spokesperson

• Social Media Management

Personal: 

• Volunteer with PTSA, church events, and fundraisers

• Hike, bike, walk, and run events

• Read and listen to a wide variety of podcasts

• Piano, pickleball

• Traveling to expand my view of the world and see other perspectives

What I do:

• Deliver, complete

• Manage

• Achieve

• Motivate

• Create relatable storytelling to educate and inform our community about city business

How I prepared:

• Council Agenda Reports

• Review Council Meeting

• Reviewed Police Oversight Commission Meetings, bylaws, etc.

• Website

• Newsletters for other municipalities

• News on Antioch

• Current Initiatives

• Social media

• I listen to a lot of different Podcasts- Economic Development, Affordable Housing, CM’s

Major projects: 

Crisis Communication: 

Question: Can you describe a time when you had to manage communication during a crisis? What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?

Potential Answer:

Situation:

I was managing communication for a police department during a crisis involving a shooting related to domestic violence. The incident was still under investigation, and there was significant media attention. Several media outlets were asking for information, and the community was anxious for details. Additionally, we needed to notify the family of the victim, all while ensuring that resources for dating violence were made available to the public.

Task:

My responsibility was to manage the flow of information while maintaining transparency, ensuring the family's privacy, and addressing the media’s need for updates. I also had to balance the sensitive nature of the case with the department’s responsibility to inform the public about available resources for dating violence.

Action:

Media Communication: I issued a controlled, factual statement that acknowledged the shooting and emphasized that it was under investigation. We provided basic information, such as the location, the fact that the shooter was apprehended, and that more details would be shared once the investigation progressed.

Family Notification: I ensured that the victim's family was notified by a compassionate, trained officer before any information was made public. This was a priority, and I worked with the victim's advocate to provide emotional support and guide them through the process.

Community Resources: To address the broader community, I worked with our department’s resources to provide information about local dating violence support resources. This was shared through social media, press releases, and our website, ensuring that people who might be facing similar situations knew where to turn for help.

Regular Updates: As new details emerged, I coordinated regular updates to the media and the public, ensuring that no misleading or inaccurate information was spread. We set up a dedicated line for the community to call for more information about the investigation and resources.

Result:

The crisis was managed effectively. The media coverage was kept factual, which helped prevent misinformation from spreading. The family was informed promptly and with sensitivity, allowing them to process the situation in privacy. The community was reassured that resources were available to those affected by dating violence, and we received positive feedback for addressing the public’s concerns while being mindful of the ongoing investigation. The outcome was a balanced approach that protected the family, kept the media informed, and promoted awareness about domestic violence resources.

Information Dissemination:

Question: Explain a situation where you had to communicate complex information to the public. How did you tailor your message to ensure it was understandable?  

Potential Answer: In my previous role, we launched a new recycling program, a water rate increase, and successfully passed Measure H which imposed a sales tax on our residents. All of these messaging campaigns included changes to collection schedules, collected sales tax, and SB1383 guidelines. I created a series of infographics and short videos that simplified the information into simple steps. I also developed a webpage where all the information was located. I included an interactive GIS map where people could hover over their neighborhoods and see directly what projects were being done. Another part of this campaign was to get out into the community. So I scheduled the city manager to give presentations to the chambers of commerce and civic groups and make himself accessible to any entity wanting to receive thorough information on Measure H's funding.

Additionally, we hosted community workshops to explain the changes directly to residents, allowing them to ask questions and provide feedback. This multi-faceted approach significantly increased understanding and participation rates in the program. Additionally, we worked with our community partners to ensure we hosted meetings in partnership with them. Meetings were offered in Spanish and English, we ensured knowledgeable staff were available to answer questions in their respective languages.

Community Engagement:

Question: Tell me about a successful initiative you led to engage the community or improve public relations. What strategies did you use to ensure effective communication?

Potential Answer:In law enforcement we often see our community being reactive to crime or current community issues. Programs like DARE, Parent Projects, Community Academies, or Youth Advisory Boards often receive critique for not being of benefit to our community. First hand, I can tell you programs like this keep us engaged in our communities. With every session, we are allowed to have impromptu listening sessions on what matters most to our residents. We deposit and invest in building these partnerships when there is no immediate need. If you’re able to trust the process you’ll soon realize that when matters of interest do come up you will have a solid group of community members who will support and help in messaging or obtaining information. This includes having neighborhood watch programs, and a platform with your senior citizen, our youth, and our schools. A well-balanced variety of programs to reach the different subgroups helps in reaching different parts of our community.

Another example is when I delivered presentations to 8th graders regarding sexting.

Handling Difficult Situations:

Question: Describe a situation where you faced backlash from the public regarding a city policy or decision. How did you handle it, and what was the result?

Potential Answer:

Situation:
As the Public Information Officer for the city, I faced significant backlash when the city announced an increase in water rates due to rising operational costs and infrastructure needs. Many residents expressed frustration, particularly those on fixed incomes, and there was concern about the impact on families.

Task:
My task was to manage communication around the water rate increase, address public concerns, and provide direct and honest information.  We needed to maintain the city's position on the necessity of the rate increase to sustain water quality and infrastructure.

Action:
I organized community forums and virtual town halls to explain the reasons behind the rate increase, focusing on the long-term benefits of upgraded infrastructure and sustainable water systems. We also provided clear, easy-to-understand breakdowns of how the funds would be used and have been used to better explain the need.  I worked closely with local media to ensure the message was consistent and responsive, addressing specific concerns raised by residents. Additionally, we highlighted available assistance programs for low-income households to ease the financial burden. We also worked with the state financial assistance program to have customers apply and clear out any accounts that were in arrears.

Result:
While the rate increase was still unpopular, the public's understanding of the need for it improved. The forums allowed residents to feel heard, and the transparency of the process helped reduce some of the backlash. The city's communication efforts contributed to a more informed community, and participation in financial assistance programs rose.

Conflict Resolution:

Question: Can you describe a time when you had to mediate a conflict between different stakeholders or departments? What approach did you take, and what were the results?  

Potential Answer: During a city cave project, there was a disagreement between the parks department team, police, fire, and public works over the closure of a park. There were conflicting priorities and our goal was to strategize and coordinate messaging to be a single voice on behalf of the city. We organized a joint meeting where all parties could present their concerns, we could set unified priorities, and exchange challenges to ultimately resolve the issues. By facilitating open dialogue, I was able to help them understand each other's perspectives and needs. Understanding everyone’s perspectives enabled the city to develop a collaborative approach.

Cultural Competence:

Question: Share an example of how you adapted your communication style to effectively reach diverse community groups. What challenges did you face, and how did you address them?  

Potential Answer: When promoting a low-income assistance initiative we recognized our multicultural community, had language barriers that could hinder participation. I collaborated with local cultural organizations, translated materials, and held meetings in community centers. Additionally, I connected with community leaders to ask them to help share our information. This effort increased participation from groups that traditionally felt excluded. As a city, we were able to collect funding for unpaid bills and support our residents to keep their water supplies flowing.

Evaluation of Communication Strategies:

Question: Describe a time when you evaluated the effectiveness of a communication campaign. What metrics did you use to assess its success, and what changes did you implement based on your findings?  

Potential Answer: After a campaign promoting a new rental housing safety program, I analyzed social media engagement, website traffic, and customer feedback to gauge effectiveness. The data showed high awareness but low registration rates. Based on this, I adjusted the campaign to focus more on the benefits of using this program, including intended safety purpose and convenience, leading to an increase in self-registration and cooperation.

Another example is when we messaged for bulky item pick-up. A large part of the feedback was that the program was designed for property owners, which still created a barrier for renters. We were able to bring the information back to council and extend how the program was being offered.  Changes were made so to better accommodate renters who may have conflict with their landlords, could still make use of the bulky item pick up at no cost. 

Innovation in Communication:

Question: Tell me about a creative approach you’ve taken to enhance public awareness or engagement with a city initiative. What inspired your idea, and what impact did it have?  

Potential Answer: I developed a Youth Advisory Board/ CAB  event series where residents could learn more about city facilities and meet staff in a relaxed setting. Inspired by similar successful events in other municipalities, I saw it as a way to break down barriers. The groups of youth were able to share their engagement experience with city staff.

As an officer assigned to the neighborhood resource office, I recognized that we were having an increase in reporting of teenagers sending and resending partially naked photos. Based on my previous experience as a school resource officer, I knew this to be a prevalent problem with teenagers who sent photos of themselves and later those photos were resent without their consent. I first developed an up-to-date presentation outlining the criminal nature and unintended consequences of this behavior. I then contacted Juvenile Probation office as well as the district DA Juvenile division to work with them on a unified approach. Then I contacted the school district and presented my information to the superintendent who gave me full authority to work with the schools to present to all eighth graders the next few months, I was able to deliver presentations to all eighth graders across the school district on this subject matter. We definitely saw in decrease in reporting of this type of incidents. Additionally, we receive feedback on parents, wanting a similar presentation for themselves. I then worked with our crime prevention specialist to add curriculum to our community policing Academy. The new curriculum would include human trafficking topics and parenting tips on how to talk with their youth about sending appropriate photos to their friends.

Time Management:

Question: Give an example of a time when you had multiple deadlines or projects to manage simultaneously. How did you prioritize your tasks and ensure timely delivery of information?  

Potential Answer: In the lead-up to the State of the City event, I had to manage the publicity for the event while simultaneously addressing ongoing community concerns.  I used a project management spreadsheet to list tasks, set deadlines, and allocate time for each. By creating a detailed timeline and delegating specific tasks to my team, we met all deadlines successfully, and the event was a great success.

Ethical Considerations:

Question: Describe a situation where you faced an ethical dilemma in your role as a communicator. How did you handle it, and what principles guided your decision-making?  

Potential Answer: Once, I was approached by a local news outlet requesting internal documents related to a sensitive investigation. I consulted our legal team and considered the implications of releasing information. Ultimately, I guided the request through the proper channels, ensuring transparency while safeguarding sensitive information, adhering to ethical standards, and protecting individuals involved.

Feedback from the Public:

Question: Can you share an experience where you received feedback from the community that influenced a policy or communication strategy? How did you incorporate that feedback? 

Potential Answer: During a town hall meeting regarding a new zoning policy, many residents expressed concerns about potential noise and traffic impacts. I documented their feedback and presented it to the planning committee. This led to additional community consultations and adjustments to the policy to include stricter noise regulations and traffic studies. The adjusted policy was more well-received and demonstrated we value community input."

These answers provide a framework for candidates to showcase their competence, adaptability, and commitment to effective public communication,

Media:

• Remain accessible, reliable, be responsive

• Build rapport

• Correct misinformation swiftly

• Prepare before a press release to ensure media access to a director

• Work with them for deadlines

• Adjust content to their needs

• Meticulous about verifying information

Staying Informed:

• Attend council meetings, and director meetings to stay ahead of messaging

• Participate in community forums

• Monitor social media platforms for real-time public sentiment

• Maintain strong relationships with community leaders and stakeholders

• Gather direct feedback and insight at community events- how do they want to hear from the city? The best mode of communication….social, meetings, newsletter

• This ongoing engagement helps me adjust our communication strategies and ensure that we are reaching the right people in the right way

Prioritize communication during an emergency situation (e.g., natural disaster)?

• Clear and timely communication is essential

• Immediately work with emergency management teams 

• Gather the most accurate information and identify key messages 

•  Prioritize communication through all available channels—social media, local news outlets, the city's website, and emergency alert systems 

•  provide constant updates- even if there is no update

• reassure the public with safety measures

• direct people to available resources

• Guide what actions individuals can take, whether it’s evacuation routes, shelter locations, or safety protocols. 

• Throughout the crisis, I would remain accessible to the media and the public to ensure that the flow of information remains steady and reliable.

How do you handle situations where your personal views conflict with the city’s message or policy?

Potential Answer:As a public information officer, my responsibility is to represent the city’s policies and perspectives, regardless of personal views. If I find myself in a situation where my personal views conflict with the city’s stance, I would set aside personal biases and focus on presenting the official message in a professional, unbiased manner. It's important to communicate the facts and rationale behind decisions, even if I personally may not agree. If necessary, I would have a candid conversation with city leadership to express my concerns and ensure that the communication strategy is aligned with both public transparency and the city’s values.

Communication Timing Mistake

1. Acknowledge the mistake:
I was asked to send out a media release by the end of the week. The press release was sent out on a Friday and many media outlets missed their deadlines for the evening news cycle. As a result, the story didn’t gain the traction we had hoped for."

2. Explain the impact:
This timing error caused some delays in coverage, and by the time the story was picked up the following day, the conversation had already moved on. It also created some frustration among the city council members who were hoping for more immediate media attention to the policy.

3. Share the steps you took to fix it:
After realizing the timing issue, I immediately followed up with key journalists and media outlets the next morning, offering to provide additional context I lol  or arrange interviews with city officials. I also made sure that the press release was shared again at an optimal time later that day to maximize coverage.

4. Highlight what you learned:
I learned the critical importance of timing in communication, especially with media. I’ve since implemented a more detailed media outreach schedule, where we plan for media deadlines and adjust the timing of our releases accordingly. I also now double-check all media distribution times and ensure that critical news is sent during optimal hours.

5. Conclude with the positive outcome:
Since then, I've been much more proactive in coordinating with reporters to ensure they have the information they need in time for their stories. This experience helped me realize how timing can make or break a story, and now I ensure we take full advantage of peak times for media coverage.