CITY OF OVERLAND PARK - POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB SUMMARY STATEMENT: Is responsible for planning, preparing, and presenting information through various channels intended to communicate and reduce community risk; educate and inform the public to increase fire and life safety awareness; handles content creation, event planning, community liaison responsibilities, grant writing, and media coordination for a broad range of needed internal and external communications.

Assist in development and implementation of a comprehensive community relations and risk reduction strategy and annual plan, including the creation of a marketing strategy for awareness campaigns to inform the public about the organization's fire and life safety education encompassing educational strategy, goals, objectives, activities, impact, and outcomes.

Manage an internal public education team composed of operational personnel, directing their efforts in in-person public education and relations events. This includes recruiting team members, ensuring proper team composition with regard to rank and assignment, and ensuring active participation, consistent and cohesive messaging, and ongoing education and competency of members.

Actively represent the department by attending in-person public education events as needed including some activities outside of normal business hours/days.

Develop, plan, disseminate and present public education programs regarding community risks for all community demographics.

Research, create, write, and edit accurate, timely, and compelling content, including articles, photos, video, podcasts, infographics, and other multimedia elements, for social media, website, email campaigns, news releases, direct mail pieces, brochures, and other special projects. Perform on-camera and voice-over work for video and audio productions.

Utilize current design platforms to create and enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of various communication materials both internal and external and work with external vendors (printers, etc.) to oversee production of print and other materials.

Work closely with the department's media manager to envision and produce engaging video productions for use in public fire education, recruitment activities, and community outreach and ensure their distribution through proper traditional and social media channels while working to increase audience engagement.

Coordinate with the City Communications Department to maintain a cohesive, current, and robust web presence maintaining and monitoring site content to ensure it remains relevant and engaging.

Employ organizational and planning skills to assist with planning and execution of department events and activities including ceremonies, banquets, open houses, and other special events both public and internally oriented.

Collaborate closely with the department's accreditation manager(s) to apply community risk reduction knowledge and strategies in contributing to the development of essential accreditation documents and materials. This includes actively participating in the creation of the department's strategic plan, standards of cover, and self-assessment manual.

Develop, plan, disseminate, and present public education programs tailored to address community risks for diverse demographics within the city. Conduct analysis of fire-related data from national, state, and local sources to identify specific needs for targeted community risk reduction and prevention programming, ensuring alignment with the characteristics of the local population.

Maintain a current understanding of innovative approaches to community safety, public education, and community risk reduction.

Collaborate closely with the department's internal recruitment team and City Human Resources to develop targeted recruitment strategies and content, utilizing data-driven approaches to enhance the department's capacity to attract a diverse workforce.

Assist in or lead the development of marketing and other materials for the Blue Valley Fire Science program through collaboration with department and school district representatives.

Act as liaison with community partners, various departments of municipalities and the

county, law enforcement agencies, and other fire departments.

Research and write grant requests to solicit alternative funding related to community

risk reduction.

Coordinate with the Overland Park Fire Department Media Manager to meet the needs and requests of the local media regarding public education and messaging.

Coordinate with the Prevention Division, Operations Division and Risk Management to determine appropriate messaging and programming associated with Community Risk Reduction.

Develop and administer special programs and projects as determined by the Fire Chief.

The employee must work the days and hours necessary to perform all assigned responsibilities and tasks. Must be available (especially during regular business hours or shifts) to communicate with subordinates, supervisors, customers, vendors and any other persons or organization with which interaction is required to accomplish work and employer goals.

The employee must be punctual and timely in meeting all requirements of performance, including, but not limited to, attendance standards and work deadlines; beginning and ending assignments on time; and scheduled work breaks, where applicable.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & SPECIAL LICENSE(S)/CERTIFICATIONS:

Bachelor of Arts/Science with major course work in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Education, Public Affairs/Administration or similar, or an equivalent level of education and experience.

Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain an insurable driving record.

EXPERIENCE:

Three years experience in marketing, communications, and/or public relations/public information preferred.

Previous experience in a public safety field is preferred.

SKILLS:

Highly developed oral and written communication skills.

Good listening skills.

Ability to give presentations to adults as well as children.

Ability to utilize computer design, publishing software, and social media platforms.

Ability to design quality brochures, signs and other promotional materials.

Effective public relations skills.

Ability to relate to internal and external stakeholders.

Mechanical aptitude.

Tact and diplomacy.

Good PC skills.

Ability to lead and train others.

Good organizational and time management skills.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge of techniques and procedures of research, analysis and presentation of data.

Ability to plan, develop and implement public education programs.

Ability to organize and supervise activities for a large size group.

Ability to follow and apply general instructions in accordance with established policies.

Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.

Ability to maintain an effective working relationship with fellow employees, the public, representatives of other agencies and the news media.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to operate various office equipment, such as personal computers, telephones, faxes and copy machines.

Ability to speak to an individual or a group for an extended period of time.

Ability to sit, talk, and hear.

Ability to walk, use hand and finger motions, handle or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms.

Ability to lift and/or move objects up to 50lbs.

Ability to work in extreme environmental conditions.

Exposure to noisy conditions.

Ability to make and receive phone calls.

Ability to operate a city vehicle.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY (Direct & Indirect):

Direct-None.

Indirect-Coordinate, schedule and direct the work of others associated with the delivery of public education programs in the community (e.g. block parties, community events, etc.)

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.