Public Information Officer

Attention Applicants: To ensure your application is considered please read this job announcement in its entirety. It contains essential information about the role our organization and specific instructions on how to apply. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application being disregarded. We value attention to detail and adherence to our application process so please carefully review all sections and submit all necessary documents with your electronic application. Your thorough understanding and compliance with these guidelines are key to advancing in our selection process.

Why Come Work for Clackamas Fire

Join the forefront of emergency response with Clackamas Fire one of Oregons largest and most dynamic fire protection districts. We are at the heart of community safety proudly serving nearly 250000 residents across a diverse 303squaremile area.

Our expansive service area is a tapestry of vibrant communities including Gladstone Happy Valley Johnson City Milwaukie Oregon City and Sandy along with numerous thriving unincorporated areas. This diversity not only enriches our work but also challenges and hones our skills in unique ways making us adaptable and proficient in a wide range of emergency scenarios.

Our team includes dedicated individuals that serve across a variety of disciplines providing highquality internal and external customer service. Our firefighters expertly handle tens of thousands of incidents annually from 24 strategically located fire stations. The fire marshals office public education and wildland personnel protect our communities through community risk reduction activities. Our support and administrative personnel are the backbone of our mission using their technical expertise and skills to keep our systems infrastructure equipment and people functioning efficiently and enable our firefighters to perform at their best.

At Clackamas Fire our commitment goes beyond the call of duty:

• We are a family of professionals united by our purpose Sworn to Serve Dedicated to Save driving us to excel in saving lives and protecting property.

• Innovation accountability and teamwork are not just concepts but the pillars of our operational excellence ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of fire and emergency services.

• Our values are embodied in TEAMS: Trust Empowerment Accountability Mindset and Service. These values are the compass guiding our actions fostering a culture where open communication critical thinking and exceptional service are the norms.

• We are deeply invested in the personal and professional growth of our team understanding that their wellbeing directly translates to the quality of service we provide to our community.

• Our relentless pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our work is driven by a singular goal: to earn and maintain the unwavering trust of the communities we serve ensuring their safety and resilience.

By choosing a career with Clackamas Fire youre not just joining a team; youre becoming part of a family dedicated to making a significant impact in the lives of others and the safety of our community.

General Statement of Duties:
The Public Information Officer (PIO) assists in and serves as a trusted voice and representative of Clackamas Fire ensuring clear accurate and timely communication with the public media and key stakeholders. The PIO plays a critical role in maintaining public trust transparency and confidence in the Fire District by effectively managing emergency communications media relations and public affairs. This position assists in strategic messaging efforts proactively engages with the community and collaborates with internal and external partners to enhance public awareness and understanding of the Fire Districts priorities purpose values commitments motto and promise of transparency and trust. The PIO also assists the Chief Information Officer in the development and dissemination of crisis communications social media content and press materials while representing the Fire District at community events public forums and emergency incidents.

Supervision Received:
Works under the direction of the Chief Information Officer but exercises independent judgment to accomplish goals and assignments.

Supervision Exercised:
The Public Information Officer (PIO) may supervise administrative staff communications specialists and personnel involved in public events public information temporary duty assignments or special assignments. This role includes providing leadership guidance and oversight to staff supporting public information efforts. The PIO is responsible for coordinating training and scheduling the oncall PIO program to ensure effective afterhours media response and public communication. Additionally the PIO may oversee specific programs or initiatives offering instructional and advisory direction to Fire District personnel to support consistent messaging brand integrity and community engagement.

Primary Duties:
The following statements outline the primary responsibilities of the Public Information Officer (PIO) and reflect the level of knowledge skill and leadership required for this position. These duties are intended to describe the essential functions of the role but are not allinclusive. The PIO may be required to perform additional duties as assigned to support the administrative and operational needs of the Fire District to ensure effective communication and maintain public trust. The Public Information Officer in coordination with the Fire Chief and Chief Information Officer serves as the representative and trusted voice of Clackamas Fire ensuring clear accurate and timely communication with the public media and community stakeholders. In all emergency responses media engagements and public events the PIO upholds the Districts priorities purpose values commitments motto and promise of transparency and trust.

Delivers fire and life safety and general information to the public
Interfaces with members of the Clackamas Fire Family highlighting the good work they do on a daily basis.
Assists in managing activities of the fire district that promote fire safety and general information to the public by means of press releases radio spots print media station tours PSA (public service announcements) programs and presentations of various kinds.
Keeps accurate records of activities; prepares reports news releases of various kinds and assists with annual reporting.
Assists in coordination and management of the collection of information from within the fire district that is necessary to provide an interdepartmental newsletter publishes writes and distributes the newsletter on a regular basis.
Assists with the coordination and development of public relations throughout the fire district.
May report to the Incident Commander on incidents coordinates and assists in the preparation of media activities by obtaining and releasing correct and factual information relating to incidents.
Attends schools classes and other meetings to keep abreast of new techniques and procedures developed to improve and promote public relations and fire safety.
Assists in collection and management of photographs videos and news articles into a useful format for future reference and referral.
Assists in preparing and submitting an annual budget.
Assists in and provides guidance coordination with the Community Services division in public education for the Fire District through the Community Services Division Chief and assigned staff.
In coordination with the Chief Information Officer serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO) during normal working hours and may also be called upon to represent the fire district in afterhours events emergency events assists in the supervision and scheduling of oncall personnel to fulfill afterhours PIO response; provides training to those employees who are approved to serve as onscene PIOs.
Assists in and promotes positive ongoing relationships with the Chamber of Commerce Rotaries local governments civic groups and other regularly attended community group meetings.
Maintains a positive relationship with media outlets and be reasonably responsive to their needs by returning requests for information via phone calls pages and emails.
Assists in and may serve as the Master of Ceremonies at all fire district related events to include but not limited to the Annual Awards Banquet biannual promotion and swearing in ceremony and Clackamas Emergency Service Foundation events.
Assists in the facilitation of internal and external communications.
Proactively maintains a public and media presence for the Fire District on matters beyond just emergency incidents.
In coordination with the Chief Information Officer actively develops and distributes Fire District message to the community and public through a variety of media outlets and audiences.
Other duties as assigned

Desired Competencies:

• Approachability
• Ethics and Values
• Integrity and Trust
• Presentation Skills
• Informing
• Listening
• Written Communication
• Composure
• Customer Focus
• Action Oriented
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Political Savvy

Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum of four 4 years experience serving as a Public Information Officer Public Affairs Specialist or equivalent role in Fire Police Military or related public safety organizations. Experience may include current oncall or temporary duty assignment (TDY) PIO roles.
Valid Drivers License and acceptable driving record
Valid NFPA Public Information Officer certification issued by DPSST IFSAC or ProBoard within one year of hire date.
Associates degree or above or equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in the public relations field and five years of media or media relations
Experience with Levy and or Bond ballot measures.
NFPA Public Fire and Life Safety Educator I II and III
FEMA G290: Public Information Officer Basic
FEMA E/L 0388: Advanced Information Officer

Questions regarding this position can be directed to:

Program Specialist Nannette Howland

Clackamas Fire District

Telephone:(Email is preferred)

(Please add the job title to the subject line)

How to Apply

To apply for this position click on the Apply button to fill out all information in the online application and complete the questionnaire. Failure to do so may result in your application being removed from consideration.

Application Checklist

1. Completed electronic application including supplemental questions

2. Resume UPLOAD. Please clearly address your years of experience as it relates to the position.

3. Cover Letter UPLOAD. Should include why you want to work at Clackamas Fire and a description of your experience/service relating to the position.

4. High School Diploma GED or College Degree UPLOAD.

5. Other Documentation UPLOAD. If you have a portfolio or samples of your work please include them under the OTHER attachment.

6. Veteran Documentation UPLOAD. To receive veteran preference points you must attach appropriate documentation (DD214.

After you Apply

You will get an email stating your application has been submitted. Log in to your government jobs account before the job announcement closes to see if you have any pending tasks or notifications and make sure to complete these tasks before the job announcement closes. These can be found under the My Applications section.

Be sure to check both your email and government jobs account for updates regarding this recruitment.

Application Review

• 10 of the total score
• Applications will be reviewed the week of April 24 2025.

Panel Interviews (In Person)

• 90 of the total score
• Panel interviews will be scheduled for the week of May 5 2025

The Fire District will invite the top 10 scored candidates who meet the minimum qualifications to a panel interview. In accordance with OARthe Fire District will also interview each veteran who submits a completed application meeting the minimum qualification.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

April 10 2025 Announcement Posting
April 24 2025 Close Date
Week of April 24 2025 Application Review
Week of April 28 2025 Notification sent to top 10 candidates plus Veterans
Week of May 5 2025 Panel Interview (InPerson)
May 8 2025 Results sent to candidates
May 12 May 23 10 Day Review
May 27 Special Civil Service Meeting Certify the list
May 28 Chief Interviews (InPerson)
May 29 Conditional Job Offer
June 2nd June 10th Post Clearance
July 1st Tentative Start Date

Post Clearance & Special Requirements

Clackamas Fire District will conduct criminal background checks on final candidates. All applicants are subject to additional preemployment checks such as drivers license drug screening employment history verification reference checks and education verification as required for the position.

Post Clearance Requirements

• Successfully pass driving & background check clearance
• Successfully complete a preemployment drug test
• Successfully complete a preemployment DOT physical

Additional Information

This is an inperson with a 4/10 schedule from Monday to Thursday. The standard working hours are from 7am to 5 pm. Hybrid work or work from home arrangements are not available for this position.

Additional information:

• Please save a copy of this job announcement for your reference as it may not be available for you to view after the job closes.
• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans preference. For further information please see the following website:Veterans Resources. NOTE: If claiming veterans preference please be sure to attach your DD214 or Disability letter from the VA.
• Clackamas Fire does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three days of hire you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Securitys I9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. Clackamas Fire District will review these documents to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
• If you wish to identify yourself as an individual with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and will be requesting accommodation please contact the Clackamas Fire Human Resources Division by calling.

Clackamas Fire is an equal opportunity employer committed to work force diversity fair employment practices and nondiscrimination including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race religion color sex marital status family status national origin age mental or physical disability protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or .

Clackamas Fire is a drug free workplace.