Public Safety Communications Specialist - County Manager (Finance)

NOTICE TO APPLICANT
This position will close at 12:00AM MST on the End Date.

You must ensure your application reflects the correct and current information for your work experience, hours worked per week per position, education, personal information, etc.

Only the information provided on this application is evaluated when determining compensation.

Job Description

PURPOSE SUMMARY. The Public Safety Communications Specialist supports the county's public safety departments, including Fire and Emergency Services, Sheriff's Office, Detention Center, and Office of Emergency Management (OEM), by enhancing outreach, recruitment, and public education efforts. This position develops and delivers communications in both English and Spanish to ensure accessibility for all community members. The specialist coordinates public awareness campaigns, assists with community engagement initiatives, and facilitates information sharing between public safety agencies and the public. The role gathers and relays public feedback, promotes collaboration with state, county, and city partners, and is available to support communications during emergencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES.

1. Media and Public Communications

• Serve as a point of contact for media inquiries related to public safety departments.
• Prepare and disseminate news releases, public service announcements, and other communications during emergencies and routine operations; ensure follow-up with reporters.
• Develop and distribute Spanish-language news releases, public service announcements, and other media materials to ensure accessibility for Spanish-speaking audiences.
• Assist with coordinating and conducting news conferences and media briefings as needed.
• Research and analyze information and data related to media and public inquiries.

2. Public Outreach and Education

• Assist with developing and implementing outreach programs to educate the public about the roles, services, and initiatives of the county's public safety departments.
• Collaborate with public safety departments to create and manage educational content, including brochures, social media posts, and multimedia materials, in both English and Spanish.
• Assist with organizing and participating in community events, fairs, and forums to promote public safety awareness and engagement, including events targeting Spanish-speaking communities.

3. Emergency and Crisis Communications

• Be available 24/7 to respond to emergencies to provide timely and accurate information to the public and media.
• Coordinate with public safety departments during incidents to ensure consistent messaging and effective communication.
• Provide Spanish-language updates and emergency messages to reach non-English-speaking populations.
• Assist in the Joint Information Center during large-scale disasters or emergencies.
• Assist in the development and execution of crisis communication plans.

4. Community Engagement

• Gather feedback from the public regarding public safety services and relay this information to relevant departments for continuous improvement.
• Foster positive relationships with community members and organizations.
• Assist with conducting surveys and community meetings to understand public concerns and expectations, ensuring Spanish-language accessibility when needed.

5. Interagency Collaboration

• Act as a liaison with partner agencies at the state, county, and city levels, including the FBI, State Police, and neighboring county PIOs.
• Assist with promoting and facilitating collaborative initiatives and partnerships to enhance public safety efforts.
• Assist with coordinating joint communications and outreach activities with partner agencies, including Spanish-language components when appropriate.

6. Recruitment Support

• Assist public safety departments with recruitment campaigns and initiatives.
• Develop marketing materials and strategies to attract qualified candidates for public safety roles, ensuring Spanish-language versions are available.
• Participate in recruitment events and career fairs to represent the county's public safety departments, including those serving Spanish-speaking communities.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES. Other duties as assigned. Requires flexibility to work outside standard business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS.

A. Education. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in communications, Public Relations, Emergency Management, or a related field.

B. Experience. Three (3) years of experience in public information, communications, or public relations, preferably within a public safety or government setting. Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.

C. Education/Experience substitution. In accordance with County policy.

D. Licenses/Certifications. Must have a valid driver's license. Must maintain a satisfactory driving record in accordance with County policy. Must obtain a Certification in Public Information and Emergency Management within the first year of hire.

E. Other (e.g., post-offer medical exam, polygraph, background check, driver's license record, etc.). Must pass pre-employment background check and driving record check.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION:

Knowledge of:

• Professional journalistic methods.
• Current principles, techniques, and objectives of marketing, public information, media relations, and community relation programs.
• Media tactics, interview preparation, and techniques.
• Public safety operations and terminology.
• Emergency communication and crisis management.
• Social media management and content creation.
• Local, state, and federal public safety agencies and protocols.
• Business correspondence standards including English and Spanish grammar, formatting, spelling, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Spanish language grammar, vocabulary, and usage sufficient to create accurate and culturally appropriate written and verbal communications.

Skill in:

• Communicate effectively in both English and Spanish, verbally and in writing, including public relations and presentations.
• Apply strong interpersonal skills to interact with diverse audiences.
• Handle crisis situations, sensitive issues, and confidential information in an appropriate manner.
• Prepare and present information for diverse audiences in clear and accessible formats.

Ability to:

• Build relationships with the media, other agencies, and the public.
• Work under pressure in both routine and emergency situations.
• Handle multiple tasks in high-stress environments.
• Adapt to changing needs and priorities.
• Translate and interpret information accurately between English and Spanish.

Compensation Range
$52,852.80 - $85,800.00

Doña Ana County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to abide by all federal and state laws prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of a person's race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, disability, serious medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, spousal affiliation, gender identity, sexual orientation or any other unlawful criteria, except where a reasonable Bona Fide Occupational Qualification exists.

Doña Ana County will make reasonable accommodation(s) for the known physical or mental limitations of an applicant with a disability, upon request, unless the accommodation(s) would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the County. Please see http://www.donaanacounty.org/ada/ for our Public Notice and to get the Testing/Interview Accommodation Request Form or call 575-647-7210 for assistance.