The Seattle Fire Department is hiring a public educator/public information officer (PIO) to join its Public Affairs division. The division educates Seattle residents about preventing fires and personal injury; coordinates CPR/AED classes; manages internal and external communications; responds to media inquiries about emergency responses; and coordinates department events.

Seattle Fire provides CPR/AED and hands-only CPR classes to members of the public and to middle and high schools in city limits. This position will administer the daily activities of the Medic 2 CPR program, which includes coordinating and instructing (as needed) CPR classes for the department and promoting the CPR program at outreach events.

The role will share responding PIO responsibilities for emergency responses. When serving as the PIO, the position will answer media and public inquiries about emergency responses and, when dispatched, serve as an on-scene spokesperson.

Other duties include creating content for the website, social media and other communication channels, along with helping execute department events. The position is expected to complete daily work and meet deadlines with minimal instructions or guidelines. The position reports to the Senior Communications Manager.

To support of the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, this position will ensure the city’s vulnerable and historically underserved populations’ needs and voices are included.

The work is performed predominantly in an office environment between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., with some fieldwork in all weather conditions. The position will share after-hours duties with another PIO and must be available to respond timely when on call. This includes some evenings, weekends and holidays. This may include responding to an incident with potentially hazardous conditions. During summer months, the position will attend health and wellness events to promote the CPR program, including some evenings and weekends.

This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule in accordance with city guidelines. On occasion, it will be necessary for this position adjust its telework schedule based on business needs.

This position is overtime eligible and receives standby pay when on-call. Overtime applies when responding to emergencies after regular business hours or at the direction of the Senior Communications Manager.

The city will provide the following resources: mobile phone, pager (if desired), laptop and a city vehicle when on call for responding to emergency incidents. Living within the City of Seattle is preferred to minimize response time to an emergency.

Job Responsibilities

Schedule CPR/AED classes requested by Seattle residents and organizations. Establish a schedule of community classes. Work with K-12 schools in Seattle to fulfill requirements for CPR classes at the middle and high school levels.
Recruit and maintain a roster of certified CPR instructors.
Promote the Medic 2 CPR program to increase awareness and class participation.
Process instructor invoices and instruct CPR classes as needed.
Serve as one of the two department PIOs for incident communications. Respond to media inquiries when scheduled to be on call, including evenings and weekends.
Respond to emergency scenes to provide information, manage media access and coordinate resources for residents who experience property loss/damage, in coordination with the incident commander.
Post real-time updates for incidents on social media, balancing the need for safety messaging and patient privacy. Write and publish recaps of significant incidents.
Research issues and respond to calls, emails and social media posts from the general public.
Assist with media events, media interviews and providing input to promote awareness of department activities.
Incorporate strategies for reaching the City’s most vulnerable populations when communicating information, coordinating classes and planning events.
Design, develop and contribute content for a variety of communication products: newsletters; website; social media graphics and posts; flyers. Use approved messages to inform the public.
Develop effective working relationships with external agencies, including the media, city departments and community organizations.
Participate in appropriate professional networks for PIOs and CPR educators.

Qualifications

Requires one year professional experience in public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field involving the preparation and distribution of public information materials, and a Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

Additional Experience And Skills The Successful Candidate Will Have

Ability to work an on-call schedule and respond timely to pager/phone notifications.
Ability to interact with individuals and groups at all levels within an organization and in the community, as well as address emergency situations, with composure.
Excellent writing and editing skills (Seattle Fire follows the AP Style Guide).
Experience using Microsoft programs, particularly Word, Outlook and Teams; Excel and PowerPoint are highly desired.
Experience creating and publishing public information or marketing content on social media accounts.
Experience establishing contacts, maintaining relationships and collaborating with the media and community stakeholders.
Ability to understand and apply the principles of equity to ensure historically underserved and vulnerable communities have access to department programs and services.
Ability to work successfully manage competing deadlines and priorities with a minimum of supervision.
Experience coordinating a CPR/AED program or a similar injury prevention training program.
Proven familiarity with fire service terminology, practices.
Photography skills.
Skills with tools such as InDesign, Photo Shop and Canva to create clear, compelling graphics.
Experience working with ethnic media and reaching vulnerable populations.
Fluency in a Seattle top tier language.

Additional Information

A valid driver's license for the ability to respond to incidents is required. A background check will be required for candidates selected for this position.

Initial selection steps for this position will include: 1. an oral interview (50%), 2. a writing assessment (30%), and 3. an evaluation of on-camera interview skills (20%).

The full salary range for this position is $34.47 - $40.08 per hour.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans

The Seattle Fire Department is looking to create a diverse team of hardworking, committed individuals with a passion for public service and who are deeply aligned with our City's values of Race and Social Justice. The City of Seattle is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, gender identity, political ideology, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Looking for more jobs near me. Find your favorite job now by visiting our jobs page.