San Luis Obispo County Fire Department Public Information Office (PIO) Internship Program

County Fire is contracted with the County of San Luis Obispo to provide fire protection services to the unincorporated areas within San Luis Obispo County. This recruitment and the position for which you are applying is with the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department only, which is an independent public agency not affiliated with the County of San Luis Obispo. San Luis Obispo County Fire Department has contracted the services of the San Luis Obispo County Human Resources Department for administering and processing your application.

Key Responsibilities Multimedia Production and Content Strategy Field Documentation:

Capture high-quality photography and video during training exercises, community events, and controlled incidents for departmental use.

Post-Production:

Assist in editing video content for social media, internal training, and incident recaps using industry-standard software.

Digital Platforms:

Support the management of platforms such as Instagram, X, and Threads by drafting posts and monitoring engagement metrics.

Storytelling:

Help develop long-form content that highlights personnel, specialized programs, and department history.

Design and Public Education Outreach Materials:

Create and update flyers, information packets, and digital graphics for defensible space and fire preparedness campaigns.

Brand Consistency:

Ensure all public-facing materials adhere to San Luis Obispo County Fire Department visual identity and messaging standards.

Event Support:

Assist in the coordination of community events, including the preparation of booths, displays, and educational handouts.

Operational and Administrative Support Digital Asset Management:

Help organize and archive the unit's digital photo and video libraries for easy retrieval by media and staff.

Administrative Tasks:

Provide general office support and assist with logistics during large-scale meetings or events.

Candidate Requirements Education:

Enrollment in or recent graduation from a program in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Graphic Design, or a related field.

Technical Proficiency:

Experience with Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere, Photoshop, InDesign), Canva, or similar editing platforms.

Professionalism:

Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and represent the department professionally in public settings.

Adaptability:

Must be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift rapidly due to emergency activity. Learning Objectives Incident Command System (ICS): Gain a working knowledge of how the PIO functions within the ICS structure.

Portfolio Development:

Build a professional portfolio featuring real-world public safety messaging and multimedia content.

Emergency Messaging:

Understand the ethics and legalities of public information, including the California Public Records Act (CPRA).

Field Exposure:

Gain insight into San Luis Obispo County Fire Department and

CAL FIRE

operations through visits to fire stations, air bases, or conservation camps. County Fire is contracted with the County of San Luis Obispo to provide fire protection services to the unincorporated areas within San Luis Obispo County. This recruitment and the position for which you are applying is with the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department only, which is an independent public agency not affiliated with the County of San Luis Obispo. San Luis Obispo County Fire Department has contracted the services of the San Luis Obispo County Human Resources Department for administering and processing your application. This is a continuous recruitment; however, the posting can close at anytime without notice, therefore, prompt application is encouraged. Applications must be submitted online. Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com/careers/slocountyca . An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews. Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process. If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us . Confidential inquiries are welcomed. For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov .

Program Logistics Schedule:

Flexible hours based on the candidate's availability and the current needs of the PIO shop.

Duration:

Typically a three-to-six-month term, subject to adjustment.

Reporting:

Interns report directly to the Unit Public Information Officer and work alongside permanent staff.