Community Engagement Coordinator / Fire Department

Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County • Athens, GA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to coordinate and deliver community engagement, public education, fire and life safety outreach, and assists with public information initiatives on behalf of the Fire Department. This position develops, implements, and supports programs designed to reduce community risk, increase public awareness of fire and life safety issues, strengthen relationships between the department and the community, and provide accurate and timely public information through a variety of communication platforms.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Science, Fire Prevention, Education, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field with two years of public relations or related experience required, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position.
• Must obtain and maintain Fire and Life Safety Educator certification within 12 months of date of hire.
• Ability to obtain and maintain additional certifications related to assigned duties, including but not limited to: Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist I, Child Passenger Safety Technician (Car Seat Technician), Community Risk Reduction Specialist within 12 months of hire.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Cannot have been convicted of a felony involving a minor.
• Knowledge of fire prevention, life safety education, community risk reduction, and public outreach principles.
• Knowledge of public relations, media relations, social media management, and public information practices.
• Ability to develop and deliver engaging educational presentations to audiences of all ages.
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and evaluate public education and outreach programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and effective working relationships with community members, elected officials, media representatives, schools, businesses, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to compile, analyze, and present data and program outcomes.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to operate office equipment, computers, audio-visual equipment, cameras, and related technology.
• Ability to respond effectively during emergency situations and communicate under stressful conditions.
• Ability to develop and deliver public presentations.
• Ability to use independent judgment in routine and non-routine situations.
• Ability to work in a team environment and independently.
• Ability to plan, organize, and/or prioritize daily assignments and work activities.
• Ability to comprehend and apply the regulations and procedures of the office.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer and various software programs for daily assignments.
• Ability to operate office and audio-visual equipment.
• Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, typewriter, copier, fax, camera, tape recorder, and calculator.
• Must be able to use body members to work, move, or carry objects or materials.
• This position requires: walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds force frequently.
• Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
• Requires the ability to hear, speak and/or signal people to convey or exchange information. Includes giving and receiving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants and from supervisors.
• Requires the ability to read a variety of schedules, permits, minutes, news releases, reports and informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.
• Requires the ability to prepare reports, news releases, minutes, letters, and other documents using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style.
• Requires the ability to speak to people and groups of people with poise, voice control, and confidence.
• Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques, to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation, and to make independent judgments in the absence of management.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of administrative, technical, or professional languages including legal and marketing terminology.
• Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas, to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, and to utilize and determine percentages.
• Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with a computer, typewriter, copier, fax, camera, tape recorder, and calculator.
• May require the ability to coordinate hands, fingers, and eyes accurately in using a computer, typewriter, copier, fax, camera, tape recorder, and calculator.
• Requires the ability to use the keyboard, lift, bend, push, and pull objects or materials using body parts as the position necessitates.
• Requires the ability to handle a variety of items such as a computer, typewriter, copier, fax, camera, tape recorder, and calculator.
• Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating the other hand with different activities.
• Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• May require the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Must be adaptable to performing under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.
• Must be able to communicate via telephone.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with photography, videography, graphic design, animation, social media management, and website content development is preferred.
• Familiarity with graphic design systems, web content management systems, online newsletters, and social media applications highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate fire and life safety education programs, including the Fire Safety House, hands-on CPR training, campus fire safety initiatives, smoke alarm installation programs, and youth Firesetter intervention services.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate community risk reduction initiatives designed to reduce fires, injuries, and other preventable emergencies.
• Serve as a Youth Firesetter Program Specialist by providing education and intervention services aimed at reducing youth-related fire incidents.
• Coordinate and facilitate school-based fire and life safety education programs and maintain relationships with local schools and educational partners.
• Conduct workshops, presentations, tours, demonstrations, and educational programs for schools, businesses, civic organizations, neighborhood groups, and community stakeholders.
• Coordinate workplace fire extinguisher training and other safety education programs for public and private organizations.
• Develop and maintain educational materials, displays, exhibits, and outreach resources to support public safety initiatives.
• Assist with smoke alarm installation campaigns, home safety assessments, and other community risk reduction efforts.
• Develop, implement, and support community engagement strategies that increase public participation and awareness of Fire Department services, programs, and initiatives.
• Coordinate Fire Department participation in public events, festivals, community meetings, open houses, and other outreach opportunities.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, homeowner associations, schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and underrepresented populations.
• Represent the Fire Department at meetings, workshops, conferences, and public functions.
• Coordinate outreach equipment, educational props, trailers, displays, and associated materials, ensuring proper maintenance and readiness.
• Assist with planning, coordination, and execution of public outreach campaigns and special projects.
• Create, manage, and distribute content for social media, websites, newsletters, brochures, annual reports, news releases, and other informational materials.
• Maintain and update departmental social media platforms and assist with website content management.
• Produce multimedia content utilizing photography, videography, graphic design, animation, livestreaming technologies, and other emerging communication tools.
• Photograph and record videos during emergency incidents, ceremonies, training events, community outreach activities, and special events as assigned.
• Assist with media relations activities, including preparation of news releases, public service announcements, media advisories, and public information campaigns.
• Monitor media coverage, social media trends, and community concerns and provide recommendations regarding public communication strategies.
• Respond to requests for information from officials, employees, community members, and media representatives utilizing departmental records management systems and available resources.
• Assist in communicating emergency preparedness, disaster response, and public safety information during emergencies and significant incidents.
• Maintain records and documentation related to educational programs, outreach activities, grant-funded projects, and community engagement efforts.
• Collect and analyze program participation data and performance metrics to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Assist with grant applications, reports, budget requests, and funding opportunities related to public education and community risk reduction initiatives.
• Prepare reports, presentations, correspondence, and other administrative documents.
• Coordinate volunteers, interns, and community partners involved in outreach and educational activities.
• Attend conferences, seminars, and professional development opportunities to remain current on trends and best practices in community risk reduction, public education, communications, and public engagement.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• May attend meetings of the Mayor & Commission; interdepartmental committees; community boards, authorities, commissions, task forces, and committees; and community organizations.
• Drafts media releases for approval by Fire Department Public Information Officer and/or other departments as necessary.
• Assists with monitoring of media coverage and community issues.
• Works with other Fire Department Public Information Officer and Fire Marshal Office staff to coordinate assignments and oversight of interns.
• Assists with the development of interdepartmental communication.
• Performs clerical duties related to position.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Benefits

• FLSA STATUS: Exempt - Professional
• CLASSIFICATION: Personnel System; Requires satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
• PAY GRADE: 120
• ACC Gov is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.
• ACC Gov is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.
• To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact Leah Jagatic, HR Coordinator, Human Resources, 762-400-6370 or [email protected].

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level