Comments on Core Competencies

Our job requirements are constantly evolving in response to innovations in digital communications and the ways in which our audiences consume information. If you have a comment or suggestion you'd like to share about our current Core Competencies, please share them with the CCPIO Board.
ccpio_core_competencies_march2023.docx
File Size: 35 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Core Competencies ​

Historically, court public information officers (PIOs) generally managed media relations and the dissemination of public information for the courts. Over time, courts expanded the number of roles and responsibilities handled by PIOs and their staff. Today, members of the Conference of Court Public Information Officers include a wide range of specialists in media relations, community outreach and education, data storytelling, publications, videos, websites, and social media. In addition, court communications officers can be involved in legislative and governmental affairs, internal communications, and law-related education.

Court communicators are expected to possess excellent oral and written communications skills. Other key qualities include diplomacy skills, flexibility, creativity, quick thinking, the ability to translate legal jargon into layperson’s language, the ability to juggle many duties at once, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Court communicators need a thorough knowledge of their court and an ability to work with many audiences, including the media, judges, lawyers, self-represented litigants, and court staff.

The following list of core competencies reflects the wide range of skills utilized by court communicators and the broad spectrum of their expertise. It should not be viewed as a baseline list of job requirements for any specific job title, but rather an expansive cataloging of potential duties.​