Public Information Officer

The Job

** THIS IS A CONFIRE POSITION ONLY ** CONFIRE is a separate entity from San Bernardino County and the Fire Protection District. CONFIRE, JPA is seeking a Public Information Officer responsible for developing, coordinating, and managing the agency's public information, media relations, community outreach, public education, and strategic communications. This role leads communication efforts across a complex regional public safety environment involving emergency communications, Emergency Management Systems transport services, member agencies, subcontracted providers, hospitals, County departments, and communities throughout San Bernardino County. The Public Information Officer provides strategic guidance to the Executive Director, leadership staff, and member agencies on public messaging, media engagement, crisis communication, stakeholder outreach, and information dissemination, while also overseeing staff involved in media production, digital content, social media, outreach activities, and public education materials. The position requires strong writing skills, sound judgment, political awareness, public safety knowledge, and the ability to communicate effectively during routine operations, sensitive issues, emergency incidents, and periods of heightened public interest. The primary work location is CONFIRE JPA's Rialto office, with occasional assignments at the Hesperia or San Bernardino communication centers.

CONFIRE, JPA is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) located in San Bernardino County, California, established to provide regional public safety communications, dispatch, computer information systems (IS), geographic information systems (GIS), and emergency medical services in support of its member and partner agencies. The CONFIRE JPA Communications Center's primary function is to provide 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year fire, EMS, rescue, and other public safety dispatch services to agencies throughout the region. Beyond its direct dispatch responsibilities, the Communications Center also serves as the San Bernardino County (XBO) Operational Area dispatch center, coordinating fire, local government, law enforcement, and emergency medical resources during large-scale incidents. CONFIRE JPA is also preparing to launch a countywide ambulance transport system that will further integrate emergency communications and EMS operations while enhancing regional service delivery.

Work Availability: Must be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to support public information functions, media relations needs, incident communications, community outreach activities, organizational deadlines, and other operational requirements. Incumbents must be able to report to CONFIRE JPA facilities or other designated locations to support communications and emergency information needs.

Emergency Response: May be required to respond outside of normal business hours to assist with emergency incidents, crisis communications, Continuity of Operations activities, public messaging needs, critical infrastructure issues, or other urgent operational demands affecting CONFIRE JPA. Responsibilities during such events may include preparing and disseminating public information, coordinating with media and stakeholders, providing analytical or logistical communication support, and ensuring accurate and timely release of information.

Travel: Travel between CONFIRE JPA facilities, member and partner agency locations, incident sites, media briefing areas, training venues, and other operational or project-related locations may be required to support public information, outreach, and communications activities. A valid California Driver License and proof of automobile liability insurance must be presented at the time of hire and maintained throughout employment.

Job Description:

Representation Unit: Exempts

Under general direction of the Executive Director, the Public Information Officer plans, organizes, coordinates, and implements public information, media relations, community outreach, public education, crisis communications, and strategic communications activities for CONFIRE JPA.

The position is responsible for developing and maintaining effective communication strategies that provide accurate, timely, and consistent information to the public, media, member agencies, partner agencies, elected officials, hospitals, healthcare stakeholders, public safety partners, employees, labor representatives, and the communities served by CONFIRE JPA.

The Public Information Officer supports CONFIRE JPA's emergency communications, EMS transport system, ambulance implementation, public safety coordination, regional service delivery, and organizational initiatives by preparing public messaging, coordinating stakeholder communication, managing media inquiries, supporting incident communications, and developing outreach materials that promote public understanding of CONFIRE JPA's role, services, programs, and responsibilities.

This position serves as CONFIRE JPA's lead public information resource and primary media liaison as assigned. The incumbent provides direction and oversight to assigned communications staff, including Media Specialists, and coordinates the development, review, and release of official communication materials.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

1. Develop, coordinate, and administer a comprehensive public information, media relations, community outreach, public education, and strategic communications program for CONFIRE JPA.
2. Provide direction, coordination, and oversight to assigned communications staff, including Media Specialists; assign work, review work products, establish priorities, support staff development, and ensure consistency with CONFIRE JPA communication standards.
3. Prepare, review, edit, and coordinate press releases, public statements, talking points, media advisories, fact sheets, website content, social media content, newsletters, presentations, public notices, and other official communications.
4. Serve as CONFIRE JPA's spokesperson and media liaison as assigned; respond to media inquiries and provide accurate, timely, and consistent information during routine operations, emergency incidents, and sensitive or high-profile matters.
5. Develop and implement communication strategies to support CONFIRE JPA's countywide EMS transport system, ambulance service implementation, emergency communications operations, organizational initiatives, and regional public safety responsibilities.
6. Coordinate public messaging and outreach involving member agencies, County departments, public safety partners, hospitals, healthcare stakeholders, subcontracted service providers, labor representatives, and community stakeholders.
7. Advise the Executive Director, executive leadership, command staff, managers, and member agency representatives regarding media engagement, public messaging, crisis communications, stakeholder communication, and community outreach strategies.
8. Plan, coordinate, and support press conferences, media briefings, public meetings, community presentations, stakeholder briefings, demonstrations, special events, and public education activities.
9. Support Joint Information System (JIS), Joint Information Center (JIC), emergency operations center, incident command, and regional public information functions during major incidents, emergency activations, planned events, disasters, system disruptions, or periods of increased public concern.
10. Monitor media coverage, public sentiment, social media activity, stakeholder concerns, emerging issues, public safety trends, and matters affecting CONFIRE JPA's reputation, operations, or public messaging needs.
11. Develop communication plans, outreach campaigns, public education materials, and stakeholder engagement strategies related to emergency communications, EMS transport services, 9-1-1 system use, ambulance operations, system changes, and public safety services.
12. Coordinate with communications staff, PIO counterparts, member agency representatives, County departments, fire agencies, EMS partners, hospitals, and external organizations to ensure consistent regional messaging and coordinated information sharing.
13. Prepare briefing materials, key messages, frequently asked questions, presentation materials, public education content, and executive communication support for internal and external audiences.
14. Manage or oversee CONFIRE JPA digital communication channels, including website content, social media platforms, multimedia materials, public alerts, and other communication tools.
15. Oversee the production of communication materials prepared by assigned staff, including graphics, video, photography, social media content, public education materials, presentations, and outreach materials.
16. Assist with internal communications to support employee awareness, organizational alignment, implementation updates, service changes, emergency notifications, and major agency initiatives.
17. Support public outreach and community education efforts designed to increase understanding of CONFIRE JPA's role in emergency communications, EMS transport coordination, ambulance service delivery, and regional public safety operations.
18. Coordinate messaging related to sensitive, controversial, or high-profile issues, including ambulance system implementation, response performance, service impacts, major incidents, public complaints, misinformation, and stakeholder concerns.
19. Develop and maintain relationships with media representatives, public information officers, community partners, elected official staff, member agency representatives, and other communication stakeholders.
20. Evaluate the effectiveness of public information, media relations, outreach, and communication activities; recommend improvements to enhance public understanding, stakeholder trust, and message consistency.
21. Maintain awareness of laws, regulations, public records considerations, confidentiality requirements, media practices, public safety communication standards, emergency management principles, and best practices related to public information.
22. Provide vacation or temporary relief as required.
23. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Political Science, English, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

OR

An equivalent combination of education, training, and qualifying experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered.

Experience:

Five (5) years of progressively