Fire Rescue Public Information Officer bei Martin County Board of County Commissioners, FL

About the Department

Under the supervision of the Deputy Fire Chief, the purpose of the position is to serve as communications liaison between the public and the Fire Department. Responsibilities may include special events, public forums, press conferences, groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings, dedications, and other ceremonies. Responsible for the dissemination of information and promotion of the Martin County Fire Rescue brand through the use of various communications media including broadcast, online and print. Serves as a point of contact to the community on fires, or other approved events that occur within the Fire Department, and supports the Fire Department Strategic Plan. 

In the event of a natural or man-made disaster that may threaten the area, the employee will be required to perform emergency duties as directed.

This position requires public interaction or regular appearances before the Board of County Commissioners and therefore does not permit a claim for protection of your place of work if you will be claiming an exemption from Public Records under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.

Position Duties

(Note: The listed duties are illustrative only and are not intended to describe each and every function, which may be performed in the job class. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.) 

Serves as the official Fire Rescue spokesperson to the media or may arrange media interviews with the Fire Chief or designee. 

Serves as the Fire Rescue representative at community functions and meetings as necessary.  

Responds to citizens, community groups, department staff and media requests for information, including preparation of press releases and press conferences/briefing. 

 Responsible for the dissemination of information and recommended communication strategies during an emergency event while actively contributing as a team member in the Emergency Operations Center and during any and all crisis, natural or otherwise.  

Responsible for the creation of news releases, social media content, speeches, and the preparation of various periodic and special reports.

Oversees the process of releasing information and responding to the media including composing and approving the material, developing strategy on the approach that should be followed in answering certain questions depending on the situation and the subject matter while taking into consideration timing and media deadlines and impact on departmental officials or businesses involved.

Manages Martin County Fire Rescue’s social media strategy and social media tools including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to achieve department communication objectives in coordination with other County Departments and Offices.  

Creates new initiatives for Public Relations; monitors and advises on how initiatives and actions reflect on agency's brand.  

Prepares and disseminates information to the media, general public and other agencies as required; provide information to news media on breaking stories.  Coordinates with departmental staff and personnel regarding media queries and strategies.  

Prepares, reviews, and edits news conferences, releases, newsletters, publications, and scripts.  

Publicizes and promotes varied public safety programs using a variety of media such as news releases, newsletters and brochures, speech writing, consumer publications, radio and television presentations, news conferences, and slide shows.  

Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.

On-call in the event of an emergency for the purpose of coordinating information dissemination to the public and media access to the situation; on-call to the media on a daily basis.  

Performs work related to this job description as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: 

(Note: The knowledge, skills, and abilities identified in this class specification represent those needed to perform the duties of this class. Additional knowledge, skills and abilities may be applicable for individual positions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Significant knowledge of practices and principles of public information and public relations.   

Significant knowledge of policies, procedures and practices of all county departments.   

Significant knowledge in using online marketing applications such as Constant Contact.

Significant knowledge of social media tools including, but not limited to Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

Significant knowledge of applications contained in the Adobe Creative Suite (CS) including Photoshop, Acrobat and InDesign.

Significant knowledge of the laws affecting public disclosure of information.

Significant knowledge of Microsoft Office software, and technology skills including the production of written materials and audio-visual presentations.    

Ability to be attentive to detail and work effectively under pressure.     

Ability to complete projects and meet deadlines.    

Ability to be responsive to public inquiries and media requests.     

Ability to successfully prioritize and manage diverse and sometimes conflicting tasks.   

Ability to express ideas and findings clearly and concisely in both oral and written form to superiors, groups and the general public.   

Ability to communicate effectively with the public and elected officials on an individual basis and with large audiences.  

Ability to express ideas and findings clearly and concisely, utilizing oral, written, and graphic techniques.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Education, Business Management, Public Administration, Marketing or a closely related field and four (4) years progressively responsible experience in education, marketing or public relations, including one (1) year in a lead capacity.   Candidates who have completed basic, intermediate or advanced PIO training are preferred.

Additional qualifying education and/or experience which provide the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities may be substituted one for the other on a year for year basis.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: 

Must possess a valid Florida Driver’s License

National Incident Management System courses required by the Department of Homeland Security for Emergency Management personnel (IS-100, 200, 700, 800; G(L)-300, 400 required within one year of hire)

Other Qualifications

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction).   

Acceptable hearing (with or without correction).    

Ability to sit for long periods of time.   

Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, calculator, telephone, copier and other related office equipment as necessary.   

Ability to lift, carry, push and/or pull objects and/or materials weighing 5 – 10 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed indoors and outdoors.

Involves frequent interaction with people.

May require attendance at night or weekend events or meetings.

Required to remain at the Emergency Operations Center during activations and through lockdown, as directed.

Work on occasion, may be performed in potentially hazardous conditions (i.e. shelters, Points of Distribution).

May be required to respond to an emergency scene.