SYP - Communications Officer

Role: Communications Officer

Department: Corporate Communications

Location:  Carbrook, Sheffield

Salary: £34,968 - £40,005

Hours: 37        

Contract Type: Permanent

Are you an experienced communicator looking for an exciting new challenge? Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same? Would you jump at the opportunity to come behind the scenes in the fight against crime in South Yorkshire?

If this sounds like you – come and join us! We are seeking a full time Communications Officer to join our fantastic, friendly team.

As part of the Corporate Communications team, you will be exposed to the full spectrum of comms including the reactive news desk (press office), campaigns, internal communications and community engagement.

A key part of your role will be taking ownership of the comms for your own district and/or departments. Working closely with operational colleagues, you will produce and deliver a strategically aligned communications plan for your area, focusing heavily on multimedia storytelling and showcasing the great work taking place to tackle the issues which matter most to our local communities. One day you could be out with our officers as they break down doors in the search for drugs factories, and the next you could be preparing an imaginative package of content for release following a high-profile court sentencing. 

Around one week in every four will be spent covering the news desk, where you’ll be on the front line of breaking news. You will liaise with colleagues across the force and key partners to handle media enquiries and play a crucial role in supporting investigations. Following appropriate training, you will also be on-call to the force outside of working hours around one week in every six.

In return, you will receive a generous remuneration package including standby allowance, overtime and time off in lieu. The role is based at our headquarters in Carbrook, Sheffield but hybrid working is available and encouraged. On average, full-time staff work around two days per week in a police building fulfilling proactive duties, while news desk shifts are worked from headquarters.

The right person for this role will be a team player with a creative mindset who can think on their feet in a fast-paced environment. You will have demonstrable experience in communications or an impressive transferable skillset from another sector such as a PR agency or journalism. Experience in police communications and/or an NCTJ qualification would be beneficial but if not, a willingness to learn key aspects of media law is essential and support would be provided for this.

Skills and experience:

• Degree holder/qualification holder or having proven relevant professional experience in the business area (Communications and/or Journalism)
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the use of a wide range of traditional media mechanisms and social and digital media platforms and the writing of articles, features and copy for publication on a variety of channels
• Sound knowledge or experience of creating campaign which deliver behavioural change for both and internal and external audience
• Sound knowledge of legislation which impacts upon media coverage and criminal justice procedures and sound knowledge of legislation which impacts upon web-based communications for a variety of audiences.
• Experience of working in a fast-paced communications and/or media environment
• Ability and willingness to travel for business purposes
• Requirement to work evenings and weekends as and when required for pre-planned events and to take part in an on-call rota

For further information relating to the role, skills and experience for this role, please refer to the attached role profile.

What we offer:

We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, some of which are listed below:

• A highly competitive salary and access to a generous pension scheme
• Generous annual leave allowance
• A wide range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Flexible working arrangements including flexi0time and hybrid working
• A transparent and collaborative team culture underpinned by our core values of Fairness, Integrity & Trust
• Comprehensive range of development and leadership courses to develop your career with South Yorkshire Police
• Employee Assistant Programme (accessible 24/7) offering confidential support and advice
• Flexible lifestyle benefits such as: Blue Light Card, Company Shop, Cycle to work scheme
• Committed to embedding sustainability: Force sustainability strategy - SYP (southyorkshire.police.uk)
• Membership to the Sports and Social Club
• Access to a wide range of staff support groups and networks

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the minimum requirement checkable history criteria, which must be taken into account for individuals applying to work with South Yorkshire Police in any capacity. A minimum checkable history of 5 years is required for this role and successfully undergoing recruitment vetting procedure is a pre-requisite of employment with South Yorkshire Police.

Appearance & Standards:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate. Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.

Smarter ways of Working:

South Yorkshire Police is committed to developing working practices which assist staff to balance their personal and professional lives, whilst meeting the needs of the organisation. This in turn enables South Yorkshire Police to provide an outstanding service to the community.

There are 3 different categories as part of this which are: Fixed, Field and Hybrid.

This role has been evaluated as a Hybrid role.

Hybrid: Applicable when the work can be undertaken at any location, whether that be a SYP building or from home.

South Yorkshire Police’s Key Values:

At South Yorkshire Police we have 3 key values which run through everything we do Fairness, Integrity & Trust, the attached document details the key behaviours we expect all employees to adhere to.

Contact details:

For further information about the role, please contact: Gael Stigant on 07464 986601 or gael.stigant@southyorkshire.police.uk

Closing Date: 25th February 2024

Shortlisting: Week 26th February 2024

Interviews: Week commencing 4th March 2924

Closing dates are not normally extended, other than in exceptional circumstances and agreement is made between the Talent Acquisition Manager and the Line Manager for the role.

How to apply:

Please click ‘Apply’

Candidate Information:

Please note that, should you be successful at the interview stage and before appointment, the relevant pre-employment checks are required. These include references, medical clearance, vetting clearance and sickness absence criteria check.

Diversity & Inclusion:

Expressions of interest are particularly welcome from female and ethnic minority candidates.

It is really important to us that the department represents the community we serve, in order for us to provide the best service, utilising a range of backgrounds, experience and skills. We support and value all officers and staff and the unique experiences they bring to the role. We strongly encourage and welcome expressions of interest from these valuable underrepresented groups.

If you are from an underrepresented group and want to find out more about the support we can offer, please contact our dedicated team on positiveaction@southyorks.pnn.police.uk

In addition, we will look to support anyone who requires Part Time/Job share working hours.