Public Information Officer

Reeves County Emergency Services District Nos 1& 2•Pecos, TX

7h•$75,000 - $97,000•Onsite

About The Position

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 for Reeves County Emergency Services District Nos. 1 & 2. The PIO serves as the Districts’ primary communications professional and official spokesperson when designated. The position develops communication strategies; advises executive leadership and Boards of Commissioners; prepares and distributes public information; serves as the primary media liaison; coordinates emergency public information; and supports the Incident Command System, Emergency Operations Center, and Joint Information System or Center when activated or assigned. It also manages or coordinates digital communication platforms, creates multimedia content, coordinates public records requests, develops public education initiatives, and supports meetings and events. The employee must maintain confidentiality and discretion and be available for evening, weekend, holiday, on-call, and emergency communications support as required. The employee must establish and maintain a primary residence within Reeves County, Texas, as a condition of employment. Work takes place in an office and at District stations, training locations, community events, project sites, public meetings, emergency scenes, and emergency operations facilities. The position is full time and requires less than 10% travel.

Requirements

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 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 ability to obtain one within six months of employment; acceptable driving record and insurability when operating a District vehicle.
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.
Complete FEMA IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800 before appointment or within the timeframe established by the Joint Emergency Services Chief.
Complete TEEX MGT-318 or equivalent and FEMA G-290 or equivalent within twelve months of appointment.
Complete FEMA G-291 or equivalent within eighteen months of appointment.
Complete District-approved Texas Public Information Act training within six months of appointment.
Establish and maintain a primary residence within Reeves County, Texas, as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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 and coordinate media inquiries, interviews, briefings, press conferences, public appearances, and appropriate on-scene media access.
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.
Coordinate Texas Public Information Act requests from receipt through final response and closure, including logging, acknowledgment, tracking, and documentation.
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.
Perform other related duties as assigned.