Public Information Officer DEM

at  State of Utah

MAY UNDERFILL AT PIO I ( $28.23 - $42.43)

The Utah Division of Emergency Management is looking for a dedicated and skilled person to work as a Public Information Officer. This position works on the Public Outreach team to support the division to administer employee and stakeholder communications strategy.

• Acts as a media liaison and spokesperson and may prepare subject matter experts dealing with sensitive, confidential, and potentially controversial issues, to speak to the media.
• Has a proactive media pitching role and also responds to local and national media inquiries accurately and in a timely manner.
• Anticipates media interest and develops, correlates and implements communication strategies consistent with the DEM mission. Prepares messages in order to educate the public and stakeholders on agency policies, programs, and outreach that enhances the understanding of preparedness, awareness, deployments, and other activities of DEM.
• Develops ideas, edits, and writes frequent content for DEM social media channels, emails, publications and websites using AP Style and department writing standards.
• Develops, packages and disseminates information and researches, verifies facts and answers inquiries and complaints.
• Responds to GRAMA requests.
• Coordinates and sometimes leads Integrated Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) messaging to support state and local responses.
• Leads projects and publications for employee communications.
• Serves as project manager for the external and internal division websites.
• Enforces DEM and department visual brand.
• Resolves public information issues via the DEM info email.
• Helps by representing DEM at public events and community activities.
• Serves on boards, councils, committees, or task forces as needed.
• Assists with policies and legislative requirements and/or issues and/or requests for information.
• Participates in the Public Information Officers Association and helps plan the annual conference.

The Public Information Officer will need to be able to:

• Support and advice on communication strategy to further the DEM mission
• Develop strategy and communicate with media proactively and responds to media inquiries in a timely manner and that is consistent with the Department of Public Safety and Division messaging
• Lead projects and publications strategy, planning and execution for employee and stakeholder communications
• Develop and ensure written content released to the media/public via web and social media and are accurate and consistent with DPS/DEM mission and brand
• Monitor and share media and social media mention of DEM, including relevant articles/issues that would advise strategic directions
• Project manage DEM’s external websites, including content creation, visual guideline enforcement, and experiential support
• Prepare and coordinate issuance of public statements to the media and the broader public
• Ensure public messaging reaches vulnerable audiences
• Identify and prep subject matter experts for media interviews when appropriate
• Act as a resource to provide information or determine the most effective way of meeting the needs of management, staff, clients or customers
• Write or draft correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials
• Create and work with graphic artists, web designers, photographers and videographers to gather and communicate information in a visual way
• Edit and write material for accuracy, format, and dissemination using AP Style
• Coordinate and/or act as a liaison between DEM and other agencies, work units, organizations, suppliers, etc. and coordinate and advise on communications strategy on joint efforts; supporting a Joint Information Center/System.
• Collect data and reviews research materials, determine accuracy and validity of sources and appropriateness for use and GRAMA requests
• Manages online meetings, video production, live streaming and other methods of multimedia information channels