Public Information Officer

Job Title:

Public Information Officer

District

RCESD1 and RCESD 2

FLSA Category:

Non-Exempt

Reports to:

Joint Emergency Services Chief

Division:

Administration /

Travel Required:

Yes (< 10%)

Salary Range:

Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Position Type:

Full time

Job Description

Under the direction of the Joint Emergency Services Chief, the Public Information Officer plans, coordinates, and carries out public information, strategic communications, media relations, digital communications, community engagement, public affairs, Texas Public Information Act coordination, and emergency messaging functions for Reeves County Emergency Services District Nos. 1 & 2. The PIO serves as the Districts’ primary communications professional and official spokesperson when designated.

• Develop and implement communications, public information, media relations, branding, digital communications, and community engagement strategies for RCESD1 and RCESD2.

• Serve as the Districts’ Public Information Officer and official spokesperson when designated by the Joint Emergency Services Chief.

• Advise executive leadership and Boards of Commissioners on public messaging, media relations, crisis communications, and community engagement.

• Prepare, review, and distribute press releases, media statements, public notices, speeches, talking points, newsletters, annual reports, presentations, publications, recruitment materials, and other public information content.

• Serve as primary liaison with media organizations; coordinate media inquiries, interviews, briefings, press conferences, public appearances, and on-scene media access as appropriate.

• Coordinate emergency public information during significant incidents, severe weather, disasters, mass-casualty events, major service disruptions, and other emergencies.

• Support the Incident Command System, Emergency Operations Center, and Joint Information System or Joint Information Center when activated or assigned.

• Manage or coordinate the Districts’ website, social media platforms, video channels, and other digital communication systems, including an editorial calendar.

• Create written, photographic, graphic, audio, and video content and maintain appropriate moderation, accessibility, approval, and content-management practices.

• Plan, script, coordinate, record, edit, publish, and maintain training and educational multimedia content for approved District platforms.

• Serve as central coordinator for requests under the Texas Public Information Act; receive, log, acknowledge, track, coordinate, and document each request through final response and closure.

• Work with District departments, legal counsel, and information custodians to identify, collect, review, and organize potentially responsive records and track applicable deadlines.

• Develop public education and community engagement initiatives related to fire protection, EMS, emergency preparedness, injury prevention, recruitment, and District programs.

• Coordinate communication support for Board meetings, public hearings, community meetings, station openings, ceremonies, special events, and public safety campaigns.

• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate discretion with personnel, patient, legal, operational, investigative, security-sensitive, or otherwise protected information.

• Maintain availability for evening, weekend, holiday, on-call, and emergency communication support as required.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Advanced ability to write, edit, and present clear professional communications for public, media, executive, Board, employee, and emergency audiences.

• Working knowledge of media relations, crisis communication, public affairs, community engagement, branding, social media strategy, website content management, and analytics.

• Working knowledge of the Texas Public Information Act, confidentiality, privacy, accessibility, and copyright considerations applicable to public communications.

• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and ability to learn District website, social media, public records, document management, workflow, and collaboration systems.

• Proficiency with digital photography, videography, audio recording, video editing, graphic design, captioning, livestreaming, and audiovisual equipment appropriate to the position.

• Ability to work accurately during emergencies, rapidly changing incidents, high public interest, and compressed deadlines.

• Professionalism, credibility, integrity, accountability, discretion, initiative, attention to detail, public speaking, collaboration, project management, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Political Science, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, journalism, public information, media relations, digital communications, marketing, governmental affairs, emergency management, or a closely related field.

• Valid Texas Driver License or the ability to obtain one within six (6) months of employment; acceptable driving record and insurability when operating a District vehicle.

• Experience serving as a PIO, spokesperson, communications lead, or media liaison.

• Governmental, public safety, fire service, EMS, emergency management, healthcare, or other public-sector experience.

• Experience coordinating PIA requests and producing professional video, photography, graphics, livestreams, or other multimedia content.

• Spanish-language proficiency.

• FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 before appointment or within the timeframe established by the Joint Emergency Services Chief.

• TEEX MGT-318 or equivalent and FEMA G-290 or equivalent within twelve (12) months of appointment.

• FEMA G-291 or equivalent within eighteen (18) months of appointment.

• District-approved Texas Public Information Act training within six (6) months of appointment.

The employee must establish and maintain a primary residence within Reeves County, Texas, as a condition of employment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee frequently uses hands and fingers, reaches, speaks, hears, sits, stands, walks, and operates office, photography, video, and audiovisual equipment; may occasionally bend, stoop, work outdoors, move across uneven surfaces, and lift or move equipment and materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

The employee is regularly required to gather, verify, organize, summarize, and communicate complex or sensitive information; manage simultaneous assignments; meet legal, operational, publication, and event deadlines; respond to frequent interruptions; maintain confidentiality; and exercise sound judgment during emergencies, high-profile incidents, media inquiries, and public records matters.

Work is performed in a professional office environment and at ESD stations, training locations, community events, project sites, public meetings, emergency scenes, and emergency operations facilities. Evening, weekend, holiday, on-call, and emergency work may be required.

Reeves County Emergency Services District Nos. 1 & 2 are Equal Opportunity Employers. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, RCESD1 & RCESD2 will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and prospective employees with disabilities. This document does not constitute a contract of employment and duties may change based on operational needs.