Public.Information.Officer

Alachua County; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Alachua County Fire Rescue is seeking a Public Information Officer to develop and execute communications that inform the media, public, partners, and county staff about Fire Rescue operations, emergencies, and preparedness initiatives.

The role serves as an official spokesperson, coordinating media relations, public education campaigns, and crisis messaging while maintaining public trust and confidence during emergencies and non-emergency events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or journalism with 3 years media experience.
• Valid Florida driver's license; MVR review per policy.
• Background checks required pre-hire and ongoing.
• PIO training and APR or equivalent credentials; FAA Part 107 within 12 months.
• Spokesperson for Fire Rescue; develops strategic comm plans and engages with media.
• Emergency essential position; work during disasters and emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement communication strategies for media, public, partners, and staff.
• Serve as Fire Rescue spokesperson for emergencies and public events.
• Coordinate media inquiries, interviews, press conferences, and briefings.
• Prepare press releases, advisories, and public safety messaging.
• Maintain relationships with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Stay current with NIMS/ICS and Joint Information Center practices.
• Provide talking points and media training to leadership.
• Work extended hours and during activations as required.

Skills

Media relations

Crisis communications

Public information

Oral and written comms

NIMS/ICS knowledge

Emergency management

Digital tools

Public administration

Ethics & transparency

Public speaking

Education

Bachelors in comms/PR/journalism

Job description

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, or journalism, and three years of related experience working with the media, including writing press releases, organizing press conferences, and managing media relationships; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.

A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and/or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Public Information Officer training, including Public Information Officer Awareness and Public Information Basics; Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or other recognized public relations/public communications credential; relevant emergency management or crisis communications training; and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification must be completed within 12 months of hire in this classification.

This is highly responsible professional work providing information on behalf of the Alachua County Fire Rescue Department.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for developing and implementing effective communication strategies to inform and engage the media, the public, partner agencies, and County staff regarding Fire Rescue operations, emergency incidents, preparedness initiatives, life safety programs, and emergency management activities. The employee serves as an official spokesperson for Fire Rescue and plays a critical role in emergency communications, crisis messaging, public education, and maintaining public trust and confidence during both emergency and non-emergency operations.

Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County’s core values.

Serves as the primary or secondary spokesperson for Alachua County Fire Rescue during emergency and non-emergency incidents, public events, and community outreach activities.

Develops and implements strategic communication plans related to Fire Rescue operations, emergency preparedness, community risk reduction, disaster response, and recovery operations.

Responds to emergency incidents, disaster scenes, and Emergency Operations Center activations to coordinate media relations and disseminate accurate and timely public information.

Serves as a liaison with local, regional, state, and federal agencies regarding emergency public information and joint information operations.

Writes and edits press releases, emergency alerts, public safety announcements, website content, speeches, talking points, social media messaging, and other communication materials.

Coordinates media inquiries, interviews, press conferences, and public information briefings involving Fire Rescue personnel and County leadership.

Monitors media coverage, social media platforms, and public sentiment regarding Fire Rescue operations and provides recommendations to leadership regarding communication strategies and emerging issues.

Assists in developing crisis communication strategies to address emergencies, natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, severe weather events, mass casualty incidents, and other critical situations.

Develops and delivers public education campaigns related to fire prevention, emergency preparedness, severe weather safety, CPR/public safety initiatives, and community risk reduction programs.

Coordinates community outreach programs, special events, public relations activities, and engagement initiatives designed to strengthen community partnerships and public awareness.

Prepares Fire Rescue leadership and subject matter experts for media interviews and public appearances by providing talking points, briefing materials, and messaging guidance.

Maintains proficiency in National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), Joint Information Center (JIC), and emergency communications best practices.

Stays current with emerging communication technologies, social media trends, and public information strategies to enhance emergency and public outreach efforts.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.

NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of public administration, emergency services operations, emergency management principles, and governmental communications.
• Knowledge of crisis communications, media relations, emergency public information procedures, and Joint Information System/Joint Information Center operations.
• Knowledge of National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) principles and practices.
• Proficient skills using digital communication tools, social media platforms, website content management systems, and emergency notification systems.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in high-pressure environments.
• Ability to demonstrate high ethical standards and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust.
• Ability to remain calm, professional, and composed during emergency incidents and stressful situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively convey complex emergency and technical information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with media representatives, elected officials, public safety agencies, community organizations, and the public.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, holidays, and during emergency activations as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach and be mobile. The work outdoors may require walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs, bending, reaching, or remaining on foot for extended periods.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move or carry up to 50 pounds, items such as but not limited to communications, photography, or video equipment. Specific vision abilities required to do this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus associated with the constant use of computer monitors.

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 essential functions.

The work is performed indoor and outdoor or incident environments.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.