Public Information Officer DEM

State of Utah Office of the Governor•Taylorsville, UT

4d•$35 - $57•Onsite

About The Position

The Utah Division of Emergency Management is looking for a dedicated and skilled person to work as a Public Information Officer. This position works on the Public Outreach team to support the division to administer employee and stakeholder communications strategy. Acts as a media liaison and spokesperson and may prepare subject matter experts dealing with sensitive, confidential, and potentially controversial issues, to speak to the media. Has a proactive media pitching role and also responds to local and national media inquiries accurately and in a timely manner. Anticipates media interest and develops, correlates and implements communication strategies consistent with the DEM mission. Prepares messages in order to educate the public and stakeholders on agency policies, programs, and outreach that enhances the understanding of preparedness, awareness, deployments, and other activities of DEM. Develops ideas, edits, and writes frequent content for DEM social media channels, emails, publications and websites using AP Style and department writing standards. Develops, packages and disseminates information and researches, verifies facts and answers inquiries and complaints. Responds to GRAMA requests. Coordinates and sometimes leads Integrated Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) messaging to support state and local responses. Leads projects and publications for employee communications. Serves as project manager for the external and internal division websites. Enforces DEM and department visual brand. Resolves public information issues via the DEM info email. Helps by representing DEM at public events and community activities. Serves on boards, councils, committees, or task forces as needed. Assists with policies and legislative requirements and/or issues and/or requests for information. Participates in the Public Information Officers Association and helps plan the annual conference.

Requirements

Work collaboratively and productively in person or over telework (either as a teleworker or with teleworkers)
Use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions
Use media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods including communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in AP Style writing and social media language with short deadlines
Speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand information and ideas as presented verbally
Review and/or edit documents for accuracy, confidentiality and relevance
Research methods, techniques, and/or sources of information
Use alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media
Deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, respect and professionalism
Understand applicable laws, rules, regulations and or policies and procedures
Coordinate the activities or tasks of people, groups and/or organization(s)
Understand the agency and its organizational program(s)
Use word processing (Google platforms), presentation, layout/design, video streaming, and web-publishing software applications
Understand principles, theories, and practices of public information
Has or has the understanding of building good relationships with the media to ensure trust and transparency.
All positions are subject to recall around the clock for emergency management operations, which may require irregular work hours, work at locations other than the official duty station, any may include duties other than those specified in the employee's official position description.

Responsibilities

Acts as a media liaison and spokesperson and may prepare subject matter experts dealing with sensitive, confidential, and potentially controversial issues, to speak to the media.
Has a proactive media pitching role and also responds to local and national media inquiries accurately and in a timely manner.
Anticipates media interest and develops, correlates and implements communication strategies consistent with the DEM mission.
Prepares messages in order to educate the public and stakeholders on agency policies, programs, and outreach that enhances the understanding of preparedness, awareness, deployments, and other activities of DEM.
Develops ideas, edits, and writes frequent content for DEM social media channels, emails, publications and websites using AP Style and department writing standards.
Develops, packages and disseminates information and researches, verifies facts and answers inquiries and complaints.
Responds to GRAMA requests.
Coordinates and sometimes leads Integrated Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) messaging to support state and local responses.
Leads projects and publications for employee communications.
Serves as project manager for the external and internal division websites.
Enforces DEM and department visual brand.
Resolves public information issues via the DEM info email.
Helps by representing DEM at public events and community activities.
Serves on boards, councils, committees, or task forces as needed.
Assists with policies and legislative requirements and/or issues and/or requests for information.
Participates in the Public Information Officers Association and helps plan the annual conference.