Emergency Services Public Information Officer

Department:

Communications Start Here. Grow Here. Stay Here. Sarasota County is seeking an Emergency Services Public Information Officer to serve as the lead communications representative for Emergency Services. In this role, you will develop and deliver timely, accurate, and effective public information strategies that support Fire Rescue, EMS, Emergency Management, Special Operations, and disaster response efforts, while ensuring alignment with the County's overall communications approach. This position plays a critical role in emergency communications, media relations, crisis messaging, and community outreach, helping keep the public informed during both routine operations and high-impact events. If you are a skilled communicator who thrives in fast-paced environments and wants to make a meaningful impact by supporting public safety and your community, we encourage you to apply today. About the Position In this role, you will be responsible for...

Media Relations & Public Information:

Serve as a key communications liaison between Emergency Services, the media, and the public, delivering timely, accurate information during day-to-day operations and emergency incidents. Act as the designated or alternate Public Information Officer (PIO) during emergencies, disasters, EOC activations, and major public safety events, including on-scene response when needed. Write and distribute press releases, media statements, emergency alerts, and public safety messaging, while coordinating interviews, press conferences, and media briefings. Partner with Incident Command, Emergency Management, law enforcement, and other agencies to ensure clear, consistent messaging during fast-moving situations. Promote department programs, services, and success stories while monitoring media coverage to support accurate and effective public communication.

Content Development & Digital Engagement:

Create engaging multimedia communications content across websites, social media, video, photography, digital messaging, and marketing materials. Develop clear, accurate content related to Emergency Services operations, including fire rescue, EMS, emergency management, and public safety initiatives. Support real-time incident communications during emergencies in coordination with County Communications and Emergency Management teams. Ensure messaging aligns with County branding, communication standards, and strategic priorities. Develop after-action stories, incident recaps, and public-facing content that highlights Emergency Services programs and impact.

Community Outreach & Strategic Communications:

Lead and support public education and awareness campaigns focused on emergency preparedness, fire prevention, hurricane readiness, CPR/AED awareness, and other life safety topics. Advise leadership on communications strategies, messaging, and public engagement efforts that support County priorities and Emergency Services initiatives. Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, stakeholders, and partner agencies, representing the County at meetings, events, and outreach activities. Coordinate outreach and communications initiatives that strengthen community awareness and trust in Emergency Services programs, projects, and operations. Participate in emergency planning, drills, and exercises, helping prepare for effective public communication during incidents. About the

Schedule Work Hours:

Full-time, 40 hours per week.

Typical Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position will require after-hours availability for on-call, media relations, emergency communications, public information needs, and/or time-sensitive issues affecting County operations or public safety. As a reminder, all county employees are considered essential and must be prepared to protect and support the community and its citizens. Each employee, without exception, will have a duty assignment and be required to work during a disaster or declared emergency. About You To be considered for this role, you must have the following: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Media Relations, or Mass Communications is required with 5+ years of experience.

OR:

Master's degree in one of the above or related fields with 3+ years of related experience.

OR:

10+ years of related professional experience may substitute for the required education. Valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of hire. The ideal candidate has the following knowledge, skills, and/or abilities: Please note that these are not requirements but bonuses for your consideration. Background in public-sector communications, preferably within county or municipal government, public safety, emergency management, or public administration environments. Proven success serving as a Public Information Officer (PIO), media relations representative, or communications lead for a government agency, public safety organization, or large public institution. Skilled in strategic communications, public information campaigns, crisis messaging, and emergency response communications, including support during high-profile or time-sensitive incidents. Strong ability to manage media relations, including responding to inquiries, coordinating interviews, drafting press releases, speeches, advisories, and public-facing communications. Proficiency in creating digital and multimedia content, including social media, photography, video, marketing materials, and storytelling to engage the public. Familiarity with ICS, NIMS, emergency management principles, and mass notification systems;

FEMA ICS

certifications (ICS-100, 200, 700, 800, 300) preferred. Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and collaborate effectively with leadership, elected officials, media representatives, community stakeholders, and emergency response teams. Strong writing, editing, and organizational skills with the flexibility to manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments while maintaining professionalism, confidentiality, and a "one team" mindset. Subject to

Passing Substance Screening:

This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of 5 years.

Physical Demands:

Employees in this role must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 lbs.

CJIS Clearance:

The successful candidate will be subject to an extensive background check(s) as part of the hiring process.

About Everything Else Starting Pay Range:

$64,812.80 (minimum), up to $87,526.40 (midpoint); based on qualifications. Our interview process could include phone interview(s), Microsoft Teams video interview(s), and/or in-person interview(s). If you are selected to join our team, please click on this link to review the Required First Day Documents. You will need to present the following items on your first day: 1. I-9 Acceptable Documents to show your identity and authorization to work. Use this link to learn more and review the different document options: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents If your position requires a Florida Driver's License, this must be one of your documents. (Your Florida Driver's License can serve as one of your documents listed in link above - List B Documents.) 2. U.S. Social Security Card (signed, physical card). This is a requirement of our Payroll Department and failure to provide this document could jeopardize timely compensation. (Your U.S. Social Security Card can serve as one of your documents listed in link above - List C Documents.)

Benefits:

Enjoy great benefits including Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Florida Retirement System (FRS) and many, many more! Choose one of three great medical plans, including one with a $0 premium option, with completed preventative visits! For more information about employee benefits, please click this link or visit SCGov.net for additional information. Utilize our award-winning wellness program including free gyms at multiple Sarasota County Government locations. Enjoy 11 paid holidays, 3 personal days and 16 paid vacation days in the first year of full-time employment with increasing accrual rates with years of service. (That adds up to a possible 30 days off in your 1st year!) A different blend of voices prompt better conversations, choices and results for everyone. Sarasota County - Many Voices, One Team. We celebrate and value the experiences, backgrounds, perspectives, talents and strengths that make us different. Our vision is to attract, develop, retain and engage a talented workforce broadly representative of the citizens and communities we serve. To further value creativity, innovation, collaboration and great customer service - internally and externally. A job applicant with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the application/selection process is requested to make known the need for an accommodation to Human Resources or appropriate county staff members. For assistance with the application, please call 941-861-5353. Sarasota County prohibits discrimination in all services, programs or activities. View the complete policy at scgov.net (keywords: ADA Compliance). Sarasota County Government is a Tobacco-Free/Drug-Free Workplace. Do you like leaving things better than you found them? We serve the greater good! Our team is here to make Sarasota the premier community to live, work and play! Sarasota has 37 miles of award-winning beaches, over 80 parks and 100 golf courses, and is known as the cultural capital of Florida with museums of art, theaters, an aquarium, botanical gardens and the annual international film festival. Unsurpassed beauty, rich cultural offering, diverse educational opportunities, wide-ranging recreational possibilities make Sarasota a great place to live and work! We believe in work-life balance with a generous leave plan. "

US News & World Report:

Sarasota is No. 1 in Florida and No. 18 in the country for best place to live." We need YOU to help create wonderful experiences for residents and vacationing guests enjoying Sarasota! Apply today!