| Location | Gainesville, FL |
| Salary | $74,900.59–$121,037.07 Per Year |
Public.Information.Officer
Salary
$74,900.59 - $121,037.07 Annually
Location
1125 NE 8th Avenue, Gainesville FL, FL
Job Type
Full-Time
Job Number
FY27-17548
Department
Fire Rescue Services
Division
Finance & Administration
Opening Date
10/20/2026
Closing Date
11/3/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors degree in communications, public relations, or journalism, and three years of related experience working with the media, including writing press releases, organizing press conferences, and managing media relationships; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
Public Information Officer training, including Public Information Officer Awareness and Public Information Basics; Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or other recognized public relations/public communications credential; relevant emergency management or crisis communications training; and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification must be completed within 12 months of hire in this classification.
Position Summary
This is highly responsible professional work providing information on behalf of the Alachua County Fire Rescue Department.
An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for developing and implementing effective communication strategies to inform and engage the media, the public, partner agencies, and County staff regarding Fire Rescue operations, emergency incidents, preparedness initiatives, life safety programs, and emergency management activities. The employee serves as an official spokesperson for Fire Rescue and plays a critical role in emergency communications, crisis messaging, public education, and maintaining public trust and confidence during both emergency and non-emergency operations.
Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.
Examples of Duties
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with the County's core values.
Serves as the primary or secondary spokesperson for Alachua County Fire Rescue during emergency and non-emergency incidents, public events, and community outreach activities.
Develops and implements strategic communication plans related to Fire Rescue operations, emergency preparedness, community risk reduction, disaster response, and recovery operations.
Responds to emergency incidents, disaster scenes, and Emergency Operations Center activations to coordinate media relations and disseminate accurate and timely public information.
Serves as a liaison with local, regional, state, and federal agencies regarding emergency public information and joint information operations.
Writes and edits press releases, emergency alerts, public safety announcements, website content, speeches, talking points, social media messaging, and other communication materials.
Coordinates media inquiries, interviews, press conferences, and public information briefings involving Fire Rescue personnel and County leadership.
Monitors media coverage, social media platforms, and public sentiment regarding Fire Rescue operations and provides recommendations to leadership regarding communication strategies and emerging issues.
Assists in developing crisis communication strategies to address emergencies, natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, severe weather events, mass casualty incidents, and other critical situations.
Develops and delivers public education campaigns related to fire prevention, emergency preparedness, severe weather safety, CPR/public safety initiatives, and community risk reduction programs.
Coordinates community outreach programs, special events, public relations activities, and engagement initiatives designed to strengthen community partnerships and public awareness.
Prepares Fire Rescue leadership and subject matter experts for media interviews and public appearances by providing talking points, briefing materials, and messaging guidance.
Maintains proficiency in National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), Joint Information Center (JIC), and emergency communications best practices.
Stays current with emerging communication technologies, social media trends, and public information strategies to enhance emergency and public outreach efforts.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of public administration, emergency services operations, emergency management principles, and governmental communications.
Knowledge of crisis communications, media relations, emergency public information procedures, and Joint Information System/Joint Information Center operations.
Knowledge of National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS) principles and practices.
Proficient skills using digital communication tools, social media platforms, website content management systems, and emergency notification systems.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in high-pressure environments.
Ability to demonstrate high ethical standards and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and public trust.
Ability to remain calm, professional, and composed during emergency incidents and stressful situations.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to effectively convey complex emergency and technical information to diverse audiences.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with media representatives, elected officials, public safety agencies, community organizations, and the public.
Ability to work extended hours, weekends, holidays, and during emergency activations as required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach and be mobile. The work outdoors may require walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs, bending, reaching, or remaining on foot for extended periods.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move or carry up to 50 pounds, items such as but not limited to communications, photography, or video equipment. Specific vision abilities required to do this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus associated with the constant use of computer monitors.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The work is performed indoor and outdoor or incident environments.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future. BoCC-Contributed Benefits
Optional Benefits
NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.
You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits.
Vacation Leave - Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.
Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.
01
Have you completed a Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, public administration, business administration, or a related field?
02
If you are a current Alachua County BOCC employee - I understand I must have been in my current position for at least six months to be considered for this position?
03
I understand a Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
04
I understand that once my application has been submitted for this specific position that I will NOT be able to make any changes to it. Any changes to my master application will only be reflected in any future positions for which I may apply.
Required Question
Employer Alachua County
Address 12 S.E. 1st Street, 1st Floor
Gainesville, Florida, 32602-2877
Phone (352) 374-5219
Website https://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/HR/Pages/HumanResources.aspx