Public Affairs Manager

Public Affairs Manager The Fremont Fire Department is recruiting for the position of Public Affairs Manager . This role serves as the Department’s primary Public Information Officer (PIO) and plays a critical role in shaping public messaging, supporting emergency communications, and strengthening community trust and preparedness. Position Overview This is not a traditional communications role. The ideal candidate is equal parts strategist, communicator, collaborator, and problem‑solver; someone who can move seamlessly between executive briefings, community outreach events, emergency response communications, and operational coordination. Key Responsibilities Serve as the Department’s Public Information Officer (PIO) and primary media contact. Develop and manage public education, outreach, preparedness, and engagement programs. Write and produce press releases, presentations, newsletters, public service announcements, briefing materials, and other communications. Manage website content, social media platforms, and digital communications tools. Support emergency alerting and notification efforts through systems such as Everbridge, Nixle, IPAWS, and official social media channels. Respond to field incidents, command posts, emergency activations, and special events outside of normal business hours when necessary. Support Fire Department initiatives related to recruitment, CERT programs, school outreach, community preparedness, and public education. Class Specification Responsibilities Develop, implement, and manage or support public safety programs, volunteer programs, problem‑solving and engagement activities, and other public relations programs. Write, edit, design, and produce press releases, public service announcements, brochures, fact sheets, and presentations to create public awareness of Department activities and events. Maintain the City's website, social media and technological outreach systems for content and design, ensuring accuracy, consistency and quality. Oversee and enforce city ordinances, permits, and programs including film office, special event street light banner program, high‑impact special events, places of entertainment license program, alarm permits, parking citations, administrative remedy program, emergency preparedness initiatives, alerting and notification systems outreach, Fire Prevention Week, Fire Public Education, recruitment initiatives, volunteer coordination/outreach, and other special events or programs related to selected public safety activities. Coordinate efforts with department command staff and other city departments as it relates to community events, problems, or nuisance issues. Respond to field command posts or other special events outside of normal working hours to serve as Public Information Officer. Research and respond to public inquiries regarding public safety matters. Compile and analyze data to assess cost, operational feasibility and other aspects of the Department's community engagement programs. Participate in the preparation and monitoring of related unit budgets, RFPs, and contracts. Prepare complete, concise, and accurate staff reports for command staff and City Council regarding matters related to the community engagement. Direct, train, and supervise professional and technical staff within the Community Engagement Unit. Other duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of principles of program management; state and local laws and ordinances related to the assigned duties; principles and practices of communications and public information techniques through different mediums, including print, Internet, television, and PowerPoint; writing and editing techniques for a variety of audiences; typical City services, structure and programs; working with graphic design software; research and problem‑solving techniques; principles and practices of effective employee supervision including selection, training, evaluation, discipline, motivation, and team building; principles of appropriate conflict resolution techniques; workload forecasting and staffing models in an extended‑hours environment; developing and implementing goals and objectives and applying them to guide and define communications operations and employee performance through the use of work plans. Skill in preparing clear, concise and complete analysis, proposals, reports and other written materials; maintaining accurate records and meeting critical deadlines; researching and analyzing complex problems, evaluating varied information and data, either in statistical or narrative form, and exercising sound judgment within established guidelines; communicating effectively with other professionals and members of the public; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; working collaboratively with diverse individuals and groups; demonstrating working knowledge of common office software such as Microsoft Office Suite; acquiring skill in utilizing specialized automated systems. Ability to develop, plan, direct and manage a public information function; understand and communicate technical data to the public and the media; analyze issues and draw logical and sensitive conclusions; write proposals, press releases, articles, etc.; prepare presentations; design and layout electronic and print newsletters and website pages; use desktop publishing and printing techniques; learn the use of specialized computer software applicable to the position; work independently with limited supervision and under multiple deadlines; collaborate and bring key stakeholders together and work with the public tactfully, courteously and effectively; develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of City staff, agencies, organizations and vendors; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Education/Experience Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of and competency in the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. A typical qualifying background would include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in marketing, journalism, public relations, public administration, or a related field, and five years of increasingly responsible experience in public affairs, public communications and/or public relations that includes two years in a lead or supervisory capacity. Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements Must be willing to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Must possess a Class C Driver’s License and be able to travel independently within and outside City limits. Failure to maintain this license will result in discipline up to and including termination. Physical and Environmental Demands Sitting: Frequent Walking: Occasional Standing: Occasional Bending (neck): Frequent Bending (waist): Rare Squatting: Rare Climbing: Never Kneeling: Never Crawling: Never Jumping: Never Balancing: Never Twisting (neck): Occasional Twisting (waist): Rare Grasp - light (dominant hand): Frequent Grasp - light (non‑dominant): Occasional Grasp - firm (dominant hand): Rare Grasp - firm (non‑dominant): Rare Fine manipulation (dominant): Frequent Fine manipulation (non‑dominant): Frequent Reach – at/below shoulder: Rare Reach – above shoulder level: Rare Push/pull: Up to 10 lbs. Rare 11 to 25 lbs. Rare 26 to 50 lbs. Never 51 to 75 lbs. Never 76 to 100 lbs. Never Over 100 lbs. Never Lifting: Up to 10 lbs. Rare 11 to 25 lbs. Rare 26 to 50 lbs. Never 51 to 75 lbs. Never 76 to 100 lbs. Never Over 100 lbs. Never Carrying: Up to 10 lbs. Rare 11 to 25 lbs. Rare 26 to 50 lbs. Never 51 to 75 lbs. Never 76 to 100 lbs. Never Over 100 lbs. Never Coordination: Eye-hand required; eye-hand-foot not required; driving required. Vision: Acuity, near: Required – when/if driving Acuity, far: Required – when/if driving Depth perception: Required – when/if driving Accommodation: Required – when/if driving Color vision: Required – when/if driving Field of vision: Required – when/if driving Hearing: Normal conversation: Required Telephone communication: Required Earplugs required: Not required Work environment: Works indoors, works outdoors, exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, being around moving machinery (driving), working below ground, works around others, works alone, works with others. Classification and Compensation Class Code: 1043 FLSA: Exempt EEOC Code: 2 Negotiable Unit: FAME Probation: 12 months Revision: 05/13 #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Fremont