The Goodyear Police Department is seeking an innovative and mission-driven Digital Engagement Specialist to lead the department’s presence and strengthen community connection through strategic communication. This position plays a vital role in advancing public trust by developing and implementing strategies that inform, engage, and empower our community through multiple media platforms.
The ideal Digital Engagement Specialist is a credibility-first communicator with strong digital media/marketing experience who can independently plan and execute high-quality content under tight deadlines. They’re a true content and editing guru (video and photo) with sharp judgment, disciplined word choice, and an instinct for what can and cannot be shared in a law enforcement environment. Personality is key, approachable, confident, and collaborative, able to build trust quickly with officers and departments, influence without authority, and handle skepticism professionally. They’re also willing to embed with the work (briefings, time in the field, and ride-alongs with patrol) to understand the department’s culture and capture authentic stories, bringing both creative strengths and strategic communications experience to strengthen public trust, not just visibility.
At the City of Goodyear, you will be a part of an organization that values its employees as its greatest asset. You will become part of a dedicated team of professionals who will be challenged to learn and grow in an environment that values employee development and career-building. You will thrive in a culture of innovation. We believe that successful employees are those that possess six core values:
Integrity - Initiative - Empathy - Optimism - Innovation - Adaptability
EXAMINATION PROCESS Only a limited number of the most highly qualified applicants meeting the City's requirements will be invited for an interview. The examination process for this position will include a panel interview and may include a written assessment.
Please note:
Being selected for this position is only the first step. You will be required to successfully complete an extensive background investigation. The best approach is to be forthcoming and honest throughout the process. This will help ensure accuracy and maintain trust as your application moves forward.
All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email - please monitor your junk/spam email for communication as messages will come from a system generated source.
Support the development and execution of communication strategies that enhance public safety awareness and promote departmental initiatives.
Create, publish, and maintain engaging content across digital platforms, including social media, websites, newsletters, and multimedia channels.
Collaborate with internal divisions to ensure messaging is accurate, consistent, and aligned with departmental and citywide priorities.
Design and deliver digital campaigns that inform, educate, and inspire trust among residents, businesses, and community partners.
Monitor and analyze engagement metrics to assess performance, optimize content, and support data-driven communication decisions.
Contribute to broader outreach efforts, including media relations, community engagement, and public education initiatives.
Provide communication support for department events, public safety campaigns, crisis communications, and special projects.
Stay current on emerging digital tools, communication technologies, and best practices in public safety storytelling and audience engagement.
Formal Education/Knowledge:
Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a bachelor’s degree or equivalentin Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field.
Experience:
Minimum two years experiencein digital communications, public information, or social media management (experience in public safety or government preferred)
Certifications and Other Requirements:
Valid Driver’s License.
Reading:
Work requires the ability to read general correspondence, memorandums, reports, and letters at a college level.
Math:
Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Writing:
Work requires the ability to write articles for publication, correspondence, memorandums, and reports at a college level.
Managerial:
Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others but may provide advice/direction to an employee with less experience/skill or tenure.
Policy/Decision Making:
Moderate - The employee normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies.
There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. More complex work as well as decisions with more significant impacts may be reviewed prior to being finalized.
Technical Skills:
Comprehensive Application - Work requires the use of standard technical skills appropriate to the work environment of the organization. Limited analysis and independent thinking is utilized.
Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills:
Moderate - Interactions may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Contacts may also involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.
Integrate with the department (0–90 days):
Meet key staff/divisions, attend relevant briefings, and understand how information flows and gets approved.
Relationship building (ongoing):
Establish regular touchpoints with PIO/leadership and division reps to keep communication smooth and timely.
Learn the flow of the department (0–90 days):
Document a simple workflow for content intake ? review/approval ? publish.
3-month rolling content calendar (by end of Month 3):
Launch a projected calendar that forecasts content 3 months out and is updated at least twice per month.
Regular brainstorming sessions (starting Month 2):
Facilitate recurring sessions (monthly or biweekly) that generate ideas and convert them into scheduled content.
Training completion (May 5/18–5/22):
Complete the media & public relations course and apply key takeaways to daily work.
Backup PIO-style readiness (by Month 9–12):
Shadow/support PIO on higher-visibility items and develop a basic rapid-response/coverage plan for defined situations.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
The ideal Digital Engagement Specialist is a credibility-first communicator with strong digital media/marketing experience who can independently plan and execute high-quality content under tight deadlines. They’re a true content and editing guru (video and photo) with sharp judgment, disciplined word choice, and an instinct for what can and cannot be shared in a law enforcement environment. Personality is key, approachable, confident, and collaborative, able to build trust quickly with officers and departments, influence without authority, and handle skepticism professionally. They’re also willing to embed with the work (briefings, time in the field, and ride-alongs with patrol) to understand the department’s culture and capture authentic stories, bringing both creative strengths and strategic communications experience to strengthen public trust, not just visibility.
At the City of Goodyear, you will be a part of an organization that values its employees as its greatest asset. You will become part of a dedicated team of professionals who will be challenged to learn and grow in an environment that values employee development and career-building. You will thrive in a culture of innovation. We believe that successful employees are those that possess six core values:
Integrity - Initiative - Empathy - Optimism - Innovation - Adaptability
EXAMINATION PROCESS Only a limited number of the most highly qualified applicants meeting the City's requirements will be invited for an interview. The examination process for this position will include a panel interview and may include a written assessment.
Please note:
Being selected for this position is only the first step. You will be required to successfully complete an extensive background investigation. The best approach is to be forthcoming and honest throughout the process. This will help ensure accuracy and maintain trust as your application moves forward.
All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email - please monitor your junk/spam email for communication as messages will come from a system generated source.
Support the development and execution of communication strategies that enhance public safety awareness and promote departmental initiatives.
Create, publish, and maintain engaging content across digital platforms, including social media, websites, newsletters, and multimedia channels.
Collaborate with internal divisions to ensure messaging is accurate, consistent, and aligned with departmental and citywide priorities.
Design and deliver digital campaigns that inform, educate, and inspire trust among residents, businesses, and community partners.
Monitor and analyze engagement metrics to assess performance, optimize content, and support data-driven communication decisions.
Contribute to broader outreach efforts, including media relations, community engagement, and public education initiatives.
Provide communication support for department events, public safety campaigns, crisis communications, and special projects.
Stay current on emerging digital tools, communication technologies, and best practices in public safety storytelling and audience engagement.
Formal Education/Knowledge:
Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a bachelor’s degree or equivalentin Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field.
Experience:
Minimum two years experiencein digital communications, public information, or social media management (experience in public safety or government preferred)
Certifications and Other Requirements:
Valid Driver’s License.
Reading:
Work requires the ability to read general correspondence, memorandums, reports, and letters at a college level.
Math:
Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Writing:
Work requires the ability to write articles for publication, correspondence, memorandums, and reports at a college level.
Managerial:
Job has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others but may provide advice/direction to an employee with less experience/skill or tenure.
Policy/Decision Making:
Moderate - The employee normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies.
There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. More complex work as well as decisions with more significant impacts may be reviewed prior to being finalized.
Technical Skills:
Comprehensive Application - Work requires the use of standard technical skills appropriate to the work environment of the organization. Limited analysis and independent thinking is utilized.
Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills:
Moderate - Interactions may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Contacts may also involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions.
Integrate with the department (0–90 days):
Meet key staff/divisions, attend relevant briefings, and understand how information flows and gets approved.
Relationship building (ongoing):
Establish regular touchpoints with PIO/leadership and division reps to keep communication smooth and timely.
Learn the flow of the department (0–90 days):
Document a simple workflow for content intake ? review/approval ? publish.
3-month rolling content calendar (by end of Month 3):
Launch a projected calendar that forecasts content 3 months out and is updated at least twice per month.
Regular brainstorming sessions (starting Month 2):
Facilitate recurring sessions (monthly or biweekly) that generate ideas and convert them into scheduled content.
Training completion (May 5/18–5/22):
Complete the media & public relations course and apply key takeaways to daily work.
Backup PIO-style readiness (by Month 9–12):
Shadow/support PIO on higher-visibility items and develop a basic rapid-response/coverage plan for defined situations.
#J-18808-Ljbffr