Fire Community Education Specialist 1, 2 or 3

City-of-Madison,-W; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 67,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Madison's Fire Department seeks a Fire Community Education Specialist to develop and implement programs that educate residents about fire and life safety. The role collaborates across prevention, operations, emergency management and public information to tailor initiatives to local data and hazards.

As a progression-based series, Specialists 1–3 advance with experience, with duties including delivering training, coordinating events, working with community partners, and supporting media

Qualifications

• Experience applying community and media relations principles and educational methods.
• Familiarity with fire safety education and public outreach strategies.
• Knowledge of public information practices and community engagement

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement fire and life safety programs.
• Review local data to identify training needs and measure outcomes.
• Coordinate and deliver community safety events with partners.
• Educate department members on curricula and messaging.
• Assist the Public Information Officer and respond to media requests.
• Prepare reports and grant submittals; travel to present education materials.
• Maintain knowledge of fire causes and trends.

Skills

Community relations

Media relations

Educational principles

Public outreach

Public speaking

Education

Two years of college-level coursework in public relations, communication, education, marketing, journalism

One year of education, training, or media/public relations work involving safety

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Access

Job description

This is responsible paraprofessional work in the development and implementation of the Madison Fire Department’s Community Education, Community Outreach and Community Risk Reduction Program. The work is assigned within the Fire Prevention Division of the Madison Fire Department (MFD) and involves collaboration with fire department operations, prevention, emergency management, and public information. The development and implementation of programs will be driven by local data to address the current risks and hazards to which City of Madison residents are exposed. Under the general supervision of the Fire Marshal, employees exercise judgment and discretion in the strategic implementation of assigned responsibilities.

The levels of the Fire Community Education Specialist series are structured below. This series is structured to provide for career progression from Fire Community Education Specialist 1 to 2 based on personal development. Progression to the Fire Community Education Specialist 3 (leadworker) position is accomplished by competition or through a position study. Initial placement in the Fire Community Education Specialist 1 - 3 class series is determined for each hire based on their training and experience at time of hire.

Fire Community Education Specialist 1 (CG16/R13, $67,455.96):

This is entry level fire and life safety, and public and community education work. The work is initially performed under supervision, but employees are expected to work with increasing independence as they gain familiarity with related methodologies, techniques and processes.

Fire Community Education Specialist 2 (CG16/R16, $72,561.32):

This is journey level fire and life safety, and public and community education work characterized by a fully developed knowledge of the applicable methodologies, fire and life safety techniques and principles, fire codes, fire ground operations, media and public relations, educational methods and techniques, and other related procedures and techniques. The work is performed with significant independence and requires judgment and discretion in carrying out assigned activities.

Fire Community Education Specialist 3 (CG16/R19, $80,277.86):

This is advanced-level fire and life safety, and public and community education work and involves staff and program leadership and coordinative responsibilities. The work includes performing the more complex assignments and is characterized by programmatic responsibility.

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn’t match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Develop and implement fire and life safety programs

• Review local data to identify areas where training and education could improve safety, reduce injuries/death, and reduce the reliance on emergency response
• Evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of existing education programs
• Recommend, initiate and coordinate community public safety events
• Participate and coordinate with community partners with development and delivery of safety and prevention programs
• Responsible for the development and implementation of new fire and life safety training programs
• Provide community education on emerging hazards and trends to promote awareness and resiliency.

Training and Education

• Educate and prepare MFD members on fire and life safety curriculum, delivery techniques, and consistent messaging
• Represent the City in the development of regional drills and exercises and participate in such drills
• Maintain and update knowledge of fire causes, deaths and injury statistics on a local, regional, and national level
• Identify a wide array of community risks and factors based on data and fact
• Maintain knowledge and skills on contemporary educational and teaching methods

Assist the Fire Public Information Officer and Occupant Services Unit

• Participate in the Occupant Services Unit on-call rotation
• Assist the Public Information Officer in responding to requests for information from the media, public, or others
• Present fire and life safety messages on-air in the studio or in the field for both radio and TV
• Prepare news releases, flyers, brochures, information packets and public service announcements to media, external agencies and the public.

Administrative Functions

• Write grant submittals for funding
• Recommend goals and objectives for the community education unit
• Prepare reports and provide data to interested/affected parties.

Perform related work as required.

• Two (2) years of experience applying the following:
  • Community and media relations principles, practices, techniques, and procedures.
  • Educational principles, practices, techniques and procedures.
• Familiarity with the following:
  • Computer software applicable to the duties of the position, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.
  • Data interpretation and reporting.

OR

• One (1) year of education, training, or media/community public relations work involving safety, health, or similar technical program areas.
• Two (2) years of college level coursework in public relations, communication, education, marketing, journalism, or a related area.

If an applicant does not possess the specific requirements outlined above, HR will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses equivalent experience.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the class specifications for Fire Community Education Specialist 1, 2 and 3.

• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Employees will be expected to travel throughout the City to various locations to conduct presentations and educational activities.
• Employees may be expected to work on-call for after-hours duties as a team member of the Occupant Services Unit.
• This position requires work outdoors in all types of weather including responding to emergency scenes (for media purposes) under varying environmental and terrain conditions.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• Physical strength and agility to transport, display, and demonstrate personal fire safety equipment, training materials and props, and AV equipment.
• Ability to stand or sit at a computer workstation and desk for long hours.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including computer, phone, copier, etc.