Fire Rescue Public Information Officer

This is very responsible professional, public relations, marketing, and informational work, serving as the St. Petersburg Fire Rescue (SPFR) Public Information Officer, by providing announcements, marketing material, publicity, and public awareness through prepared documents, press releases, marketing materials, digital media, and presentations. Work involves serving as the official SPFR point of contact for the news media and the public regarding daily operations, news, activities, fire investigations, and natural disasters; developing marketing plans to promote and educate citizens about SPFR programs and initiatives; and creating special articles, web content, press releases, and news stories concerning related activities, programs, news, and plans. Work includes operating SPFR social media accounts and creating digital content; arranging, creating, and preparing marketing materials such as brochures, booklets, and website content; training, instructing, and counseling SPFR staff regarding news media relations and applicable laws, rules, and policies; and serving as the SPFR primary point of communication during emergency operations and declared states of emergency. An employee in this classification must apply discretion, dedication, and tact to effectively communicate, coordinate, and build cooperative relationships with citizens, outside organizations, the news media, other government entities, elected officials, and City Administration.

Salary: $68,180 - $109,233 DOQ

Close Date: Open Until Filled

Minimum Qualifications.Applicants must:

• Have a valid Bachelor’s degree in a related field -or- relevant experience and/or training combined with a valid high school diploma or GED may be considered in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.

• Possess and continue to maintain a valid Driver License.

• Have considerable public relations and communications experience.

• Have a verifiable history of effective communication and preparing press releases, marketing material, presentations and/or related digital content.

• Be able to consolidate information and prepare presentations for the public, City Administration, and/or City Council, to be given in person or by SPFR leadership.

• Be able to serve as the Public Information Officer for SPFR during emergency operations and declared states of emergency.

• Be able to conduct accurate and thorough research through effective methods and techniques in order to respond to requests.

• Be able to communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely, orally and in writing, including regular presentations to the public, news media, City Administration and City Council.

• Acknowledge this position is designated as Emergency Critical (EC) and if hired into the position, you must be immediately available to the department before, during, and after a declared emergency and/or disaster.

Desirable Qualifications. Preferred Applicants:

• Have a Master’s degree in a related field.

• Have considerable knowledge of the duties and responsibilities of a fire and emergency services Public Information Officer.

• Have prior experience working in the news media, public relations, marketing/communications, or as a Public Information Officer.

• Have prior work history that includes creating marketing materials and digital media.
  

IMPORTANT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

For purposes of employment, re-employment, promotion, transfer or demotion, the most qualified applicants will be selected to continue in the hiring process. At this point, any prior criminal records will be verified. A prior criminal record will not necessarily disqualify a selected applicant from employment.

The City of St. Petersburg is committed to a Drug Free Workplace and compliance with the Department of Transportation (DOT) drug testing rules. Applicants may be required to successfully complete pre-employment drug testing and/or medical exams.