Public Information Specialist Senior

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity.
• Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None.

Notes to Applicants
Position Overview:

The Public Information Specialist Senior is responsible for disseminating Austin Fire Department ( AFD ) news and information to the general public. These duties include, but are not limited to, marketing AFD information, assisting the AFD executive team with media relations, drafting and publishing documents for internal and external education, and acting as a liaison to the City of Austin public information office.

Please note the following when completing the City of Austin application for this position:

• Please be sure to detail on the application all the previous employment experience you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. Please include contact information from previous employers.
• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications, and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• A resume and cover letter is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please do not use the phrase “see resume” or refer to other documents to complete your application. Do not leave the “Duties and Responsibilities” sections blank. Applications missing information and/or documents will be deemed incomplete applications and will not be considered.
• Austin Fire Department may close the posting any time after seven days from the initial advertisement. Once a position is closed, no additional applications will be accepted.

Pay Range
$30.29 - $37.86 /hr
Hours
Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Job Close Date 05/21/2024 Type of Posting External Department Fire Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 4201 Ed Bluestein Blvd, Austin TX 78721 Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working at the City of Austin
• Experience working for a public safety agency
• Experience distributing information through a variety of social media platforms
• Experience juggling multiple responsibilities in a fast paced environment
• Organizational skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Customer service skills
• Ability to travel to more than one work location

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


1. Works on assignments that are complex in nature where considerable judgment and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations. Primary responsibility for larger individual projects or act as an account representative for client departments and programs.
2. Develops long-range strategic plans.
3. Writes plans, organizes, directs, coordinates and edits articles for publication in a variety of forms, including electronic publication.
4. Coordinates all aspects of production of marketing materials.
5. Performs media relations duties to include: media buying, news releases, and fielding questions from media.
6. Coordinates public relations duties to include: public and school education, presentations, tours of public facilities, and requests for information from the general public.
7. Designs, researches, writes and edits newsletters and releases for internal or external use.
8. Produces public service announcements and videos for promotional use.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
May train and lead others.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of public information, marketing, public relations, media relations programs.
• Knowledge of the functions and organization of municipal government, to include the relationships between departments, divisions and agencies.
• Knowledge of the principles associated with the role of meeting the necessary standards of customer service.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Ability to interpret policies and guidelines.
• Ability to write articles for publication.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to lead and train others.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Marketing, Public Relations, Journalism, Advertising or related field plus four (4) years of progressive experience in developing and implementing programs of public information, one (1) of which was in a team leader/coordinator capacity. Experience may substitute for the education up to the maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* How much experience do you have as a Public Information team lead or coordinator?

• None
• Less than a year
• One to five years
• More than five years

* How much experience do you have editing, standardizing, and/or making changes to prepared materials?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to five years
• More than five years

* How much experience do you have working in public safety environment (police, fire or EMS)?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to five years
• More than five years

* How much experience do you have working in municipal or county government?

• None
• Less than a year
• One to five years
• More than five years

* Describe your experience level posting content to social media:

• None
• Beginning
• Moderate
• Advanced

* Describe your experience planning and executing public relations campaigns
(Open Ended Question)
* Why are you interested in this position?
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• yes
• No

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

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