Public Information Officer

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue•Tigard, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Information Officer (PIO) serves as the strategic storyteller, media liaison, and brand champion for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. This modern communications role bridges the gap between the district and the communities it serves by blending traditional media relations with dynamic digital content creation. The PIO is responsible for protecting and elevating TVF&R’s reputation, ensuring transparent public information, and driving meaningful community engagement across all digital and traditional platforms during everyday operations and critical incidents. Key responsibilities include managing the public information process during high-profile incidents, driving proactive crisis communications tactics, and overseeing a modern multi-channel digital content strategy. This position requires an agile communicator capable of shifting seamlessly from rapid-response incident reporting to creative, long-form digital storytelling that highlights the skill, dedication, and organizational values of TVF&R personnel.

Requirements

Associate degree.
Four years of relevant experience, including public information, strategic corporate communications, multimedia journalism, or digital content management.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in digital media/multimedia journalism, digital marketing or advertising, communications / strategic communications, public relations, or related field.
Incident Command System certification.

Responsibilities

Builds and sustains strong, trust-based relationships with local and regional media partners rooted in professionalism and exceptional customer service.
Manages daily media inquiries, responds to active incidents, authors press releases, and provides on-camera interviews or prepares subject matter experts/first responders for interviews.
Ensures the timely, accurate delivery of information across all District platforms.
Monitors media coverage to ensure accurate reporting and identifies areas of concern to leadership.
Develops and executes comprehensive external communication strategies aligned with TVF&R’s organizational objectives.
Using a project management framework, collaborates with internal stakeholders to tailor campaigns for target audiences regarding new initiatives, public education, and community impact.
Tracks and analyzes traditional media, social media, and advertising metrics to evaluate reach, report outcomes, and drive continuous improvement.
Develops and packages existing photo, video, and behind-the-scenes narratives that showcase the unique skills, daily impact, and core values of TVF&R firefighters and paramedics.
Supports and guides the employee-empowered social media team in creating, scheduling, and distributing high-quality, engaging content across all digital platforms.
Ensures consistency of messaging themes for public facing communications.
Executes swift, effective communication strategies during time-sensitive, complex, or critical emergency events to ensure public safety and organizational transparency.
Serves as an on-call public information officer which includes prompt responses to emergency incidents with personal protective gear and communications equipment.
Disseminates emergency incident details and public safety information in writing and verbally, within a wide range of time and planning constraints.