The Senior Marketing Specialist / Public Information Officer performs advanced, responsible, professional public communications, marketing, and emergency public information duties. This position coordinates the development, administration, and release of information regarding a wide range of programs and services to foster and improve media and community information throughout Volusia County. The position performs both customary marketing and public information activities as well as work in videography, photography, and social/electronic media for Volusia County.
In addition to standard community information and marketing functions, this position serves as a Public Information Officer (PIO) in support of the Emergency Services Department and its Divisions, including Fire Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Medical Administration, and Emergency Management. This includes supporting the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Joint Information Center (JIC) and acting as a Joint Information System (JIS) Coordinator as assigned. A key component of this position is the competence and capacity to perform marketing, communications, and digital media production activities in a time-sensitive, deadline-driven environment, including during emergency activations.
NOTE:This position will be on call 24/7 as part of emergency operations.Availability after hours and on weekends.
(NOTE:These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.)
•Develops internal/external strategic marketing plan for Volusia County Emergency Services Department and its Divisions.
•Promotes a high level of customer service and excellent public relations. This shall include oversight of public comments and questions from the Emergency Services website.
•Plans and coordinates Emergency Services participation in local, regional and national public events and national themed observances including planning and coordination (i.e. community fairs, expos, prepare fairs, EMS Week, Fire Prevention Week, Severe Weather Awareness Week, etc.).
•Serves as a recruiter for all divisions within the Emergency Services Department. Plans and coordinates recruitment plans/activities, job fairs, etc. Endeavors in new or emerging trends and activities that garner recruitment.
•Responsible for Volusia County Emergency Services Department website (intranet and internet). Keeps pertinent up-to-date information regarding activation levels, upcoming events, resources, training, how to tutorials, etc.
•Conducts press briefings and facilitates/conducts on-camera interviews.
•Responds to emergency incidents in the field to provide the management of on-scene media and public communication using established emergency protocols and County policies.
•Works closely with and supports other governmental public information officers (i.e. Volusia County Community Information, Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Volusia County Public Works, Volusia County Beach Safety, and the Public Information Network (PIN) Group).
•Completes appropriate ICS/NIMS and other training requirements as required to include attending appropriate training seminars and/or classes to obtain and maintain necessary certifications (i.e. Florida Division of Emergency Management Public Information Officer Qualification).
•Develops and maintains the Volusia County Joint Information System (JIS) or the Public Information Network (PIN) group by establishing relationships with governmental, non-profit and private organizations.
•Serves as a technical resource for social media, as well as digital & programmatic marketing campaigns.
•Provides effective strategies with enhancing social media messaging efforts by exploring new ways to improve impressions, reach and engagement of messages.
•Consults with staff, conceptualizes and designs key publications, videos, and graphics to support county goals using Adobe Creative Suite including illustrations, brochures, newsletters, social media content, displays, charts, diagrams, email newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, web, tablet and Smartphone-ready artwork, and other publication projects.
•Coordinates and publicizes special events, public education opportunities, news conferences, meetings, television productions, and/or other public events designed to promote the Emergency Services Department.
•Coordinates and collaborates with the production team throughout the process of video creation, video editing, video graphics and animation, video execution and public platform dissemination.
•Ensures consistent County branding and integration with online, print and video campaigns.
•Responds and research inquiries and complaints made by residents; coordinates efforts to resolve issues with other internal departments, external agencies, and/or other public entities; conducts follow-up with citizens to determine satisfactory resolution of issues.
•Acts in a liaison capacity with community leaders, other governmental agencies and communication groups requesting information on government related activities.
•Manages responsibilities for community outreach activities beyond regular county business hours including extended workdays, evenings, weekends and holidays.
•Expected to be on-call and respond to emergency call-outs and participate in emergency activations as a member of the County's emergency management team in accordance with standard.
•Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.
•May need to work evenings or weekends, on occasion.
•Responds to emergency situations.
•Must adhere to Federal, State, County, and Local ordinances.
•Performs other duties as assigned.
Seven (7) years of experience in marketing, public relations, advertising, emergency public information, or a related field to include experience in audio/visual technology and video program production.
OR
Bachelor’s degree in public relations, Marketing, Advertising, Communications, Journalism, Public Administration, Emergency Management, or a related field, and a minimum of three (3) years of experience in marketing, public relations, advertising, emergency public information, or a related field to include experience in audio/visual technology and video program production.
A comparable amount of education, training, or experience may substitute for the minimum experience.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license at the time of hire.
Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire and maintain thereafter.
Completion of the following FEMA Independent Study and Classroom Courses required within one year of appointment:
- IS-29 – PIO Awareness
- G-290 – Basic PIO
- G-291 – JIS/JIC Planning for Tribal, State and Local PIOs
- E-388 – Advanced PIO
- E/L-952 – NIMS ICS All-Hazards Public Information Officer Course
•Knowledge of principles, practices, and effective communication strategies of social media.
•Knowledge of practices and principles of public information dissemination; to serve as a public information officer.
•Knowledge in emergency public information. Typically, this includes having served as a public information officer in the public and/or private sector. Additionally, this position requires extensive training and experience in the use of organization and functions of joint information systems/centers. Also, experience with emergency notifications systems (ENS), the emergency alert system (EAS) and the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).
•Knowledge of design color, conceptual thinking, print layout, digital production, and post-production.
•Knowledge of proper English usage, spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
•Knowledge of copyright laws applicable to design work and creative properties.
•Knowledge of emergency public information procedures and methodologies in a crisis communication environment.
•Ability to collect, organize, and analyze information; and convert it into a clear and concise format for release to the media and general public.
•Ability to operate all general office equipment, including copiers, printers, fax machines, digital cameras, Steadicams/gimbals, microphones, lighting devices, scanners, etc.
•Ability to understand and explain technical information to the public and answer questions.
•Ability to develop and professionally maintain effective, can-do working relationships within the organization, County Council, and the community.
•Ability to adhere to deadlines while working on multiple, time-sensitive and diverse projects.
•Ability to conceptualize and translate communication needs into video, audio, graphics, print or other products that are thoughtful, highly organized and logical.
•Ability to present information to County officials, staff, and public groups.
•Ability to exercise independent judgment, work under minimum supervision, and be able to remain calm and function well under stressful conditions.
•Skilled in dealing effectively with the public, media and officials in a courteous and tactful manner
•Skilled in the preparation of speeches and articles for publication and proofread and edit documents.
•Skilled in strategic marketing and developing marketing plans/campaigns from initial creation to execution.
•Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite including InDesign, After Effects, Photoshop, and Illustrator, and MS Office /Windows OS platform programs required.
•Proficiency in marketing research effectiveness through interpreting statistical measurements.
•Proficiency in press release writing and Associated Press style.
SUPERVISION:
REPORTS TO: Emergency Operations Director
ADA REQUIREMENTS:
Physical Demands: Ability to perform essential duties and responsibilities and meet the minimum qualifications. Ability to hear, lift 25 pounds, stand, grasp, crouch, climb, turn, walk, pick, reach, push, pull; finger dexterity; Ability to traverse uneven, broken, and/or wet terrain. Visual acuity (e.g. depth perception, peripheral vision) necessary to operate a motorized vehicle.
Environmental Demands: Both inside and outside work. Ability to tolerate inclement weather, heat, wind, humidity, odors, cold, dust, noise fumes.
Mental Demands: Ability to read and comprehend technical and professional manuals and journals; reports, summaries, memos and letters. Ability to perform advanced mathematical functions including statistics and ratios. Analytical ability to devise programs, plans and ideas from statistical information. Ability to speak publicly and extemporaneously, conversant in theories and techniques of discipline. Ability to write pamphlets, brochures, and media materials.
