Neighborhood Watch/Social Media Coordinator

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under the general supervision of a Police Sergeant, performs professional and administrative work with responsibility for developing and administering the Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch and Social Media Programs to help build and foster positive relationships between the Police Department and the community, stakeholders, and the media. Duties include planning, developing, and promoting program activities; conferring with and coordinating activities with the Downey Police Department and community groups, businesses, and residents of the City of Downey; content development and posting on various social media sites; assist in writing press releases; and responding to media inquiries.

This position plays a vital role in fostering and promoting community engagement with the Downey Police Department. It focuses on creating engaging and informative social media content, including public alerts, community event updates, success stories and recruitment efforts. The ideal candidate is proficient in social media content creation and possesses strong writing, photography and videography skills, along with a passion for community engagement. Applicants must be willing to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends.

An Eligible List of qualified applicants will be established from this recruitment. Eligible List may be utilized to fill other full and part-time vacancies as needed. Generally, a valid Eligible List is in effect for up to one year.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this classification:

• Administers, develops, coordinates, plans, promotes, and manages the City’s Neighborhood Watch Program.
• Coordinates and conducts Neighborhood Watch meetings and Neighborhood Watch leadership training meetings and forums.
• Prepares and maintains reports on neighborhood outreach activities, progress, and results; prepares informational documents and reports.
• Assists with the development and maintenance of the Department’s social media accounts and website, as well as releasing appropriate information to the media.
• Participates in the development of video presentations, public service announcements, and focused public relations campaigns related to projects, program and services undertaken by the City and the Police Department.
• Works with law enforcement personnel to research and gather data and analysis on crime statistics and prepares reports regarding trends to identify program needs.
• Consults with and advises City departments, City officials, and community organizations regarding issues, concerns, and potential solutions to neighborhood concerns and issues.
• Plans, organizes, prepares, and manages public information and special awareness projects and events to promote department programs.
• Conducts oral presentations before special interest and citizen groups to disseminate information, answer questions, and generate support for the Neighborhood Watch Program.
• Analyzes program effectiveness and develops long-range planning; tracks program achievements and progress towards existing goals; may coordinate networking activities with other neighboring jurisdictions; attends training seminars or workshops on current trends in crime prevention as needed.
• May recruit and/or supervise volunteer personnel.
• Provides clerical and other administrative assistance to assigned division as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the skills, knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Associate's degree or equivalent units from an accredited college or university with coursework in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field. Bachelor's degree is highly desirable.

Experience: Two (2) full-time years of administrative experience including substantial public contact and public presentations. Candidates with experience administering neighborhood/community enhancement programs or nonsworn law enforcement administrative or technical support experience are highly desirable.

Language: Bilingual skills are highly desirable.

Knowledge of: General office procedures and methods; intermediate level skill in the use of a personal computer, including but not limited to MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); some level of computer graphics, photography, event planning and implementation; basic research, survey, and interview methodologies; project coordination; principles and practices of effective customer service, team building, and public relations; effective conflict resolution techniques; social media platforms; meeting facilitation and making public presentations; geographical area and demographics of the City; basic supervision and practices; volunteer recruitment; and, law enforcement terminology and operating structure, and crime prevention.

Ability to: Establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties, including City department staff, officials, community groups, and members of the public; communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the ability to make effective presentations and conduct effective meetings and workshops; demonstrate initiative, use tact, discretion, and independent judgment; research, collect and interpret data; coordinate various projects in an efficient and effective manner; identify neighborhood needs and potential solutions; plan, manage, and evaluate neighborhood outreach programs and activities; project a professional attitude and appearance in all situations; analyze problems; exchange information with internal and external resources and explain administrative policies and procedures; organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and conduct follow up with minimal supervision; operate a personal computer, camera, and audio visual equipment; learn principals, practices, procedures, laws and ordinances, and operations of law enforcement and crime prevention; and, work evening and weekend community events as may be required.

License Requirement: Due to the performance of field duties that may require operation of a City vehicle, a valid California Driver's License and an acceptable driving record at the time of appointment and throughout employment may be required.

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System: An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of Downey. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS- Work is primarily performed in an office environment with moderate noise levels; duties require the ability to speak, hear, touch, and see. Also required is the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to light work involving moving from one area to another; occasionally bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing and pulling (drawers opened and closed to retrieve and file information); occasionally lifting and carrying materials that weigh up to 25 pounds. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter, or calculator; requires sufficient hand/eye coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as typing on a keyboard, filing, data entry and/or use of a personal computer or other office equipment and supplies; may involve sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time.

SELECTION PROCESS

All applications materials received by the application deadline will be reviewed and evaluated on the basis of information submitted to determine the level and scope of the candidate's preparation for the position. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification.

The acceptance of an employment application depends upon whether or not an applicant has provided adequate information that demonstrates meeting the qualifications for the position as stated above. Please complete the application, and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and completely. Candidates must be specific and complete in describing their qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" or attaching a resume is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.

Those applicants, who most closely match the desired qualifications, will be invited to participate in the selection process which will consist of an appraisal examination (oral interview) weighted 100%.

The appraisal examination may also include performance testing to assess the applicant's knowledge, education, experience, and general ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Candidate(s) who complete selection testing with acceptable results will be considered by the Department hiring authority. Prior to a conditional offer of employment, a candidate will undergo a comprehensive background check that includes employment reference checks, criminal history check, fingerprinting with the California Department of Justice, a credit review, and a polygraph. A job-related pre-placement medical examination will be conducted upon issuance of a conditional offer of employment.

Any applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the selection process due to a qualified disability must inform the Human Resources Office by dialing (562) 904-7292 at least 72 hours in advance.

To view the benefit summary for this positionplease click HERE.

The City of Downey is proudly committed to continuously improving the quality of life for the Downey community by providing excellent service in a professional, ethical, and responsible manner.Our values includeIntegrity, Commitment, Respect, Teamwork, Engagement, Passion, and Excellence.

Closing Date/Time: 4/17/2026 5:30 PM Pacific

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• City of Downey

• 562-904-7292

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