Public Affairs Manager

Public Affairs Manager
The Fremont Fire Department is recruiting for the position of Public Affairs Manager . This role serves as the Department’s primary Public Information Officer (PIO) and plays a critical role in shaping public messaging, supporting emergency communications, and strengthening community trust and preparedness.

Position Overview
This is not a traditional communications role. The ideal candidate is equal parts strategist, communicator, collaborator, and problem‑solver; someone who can move seamlessly between executive briefings, community outreach events, emergency response communications, and operational coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as the Department’s Public Information Officer (PIO) and primary media contact.

Develop and manage public education, outreach, preparedness, and engagement programs.

Write and produce press releases, presentations, newsletters, public service announcements, briefing materials, and other communications.

Manage website content, social media platforms, and digital communications tools.

Support emergency alerting and notification efforts through systems such as Everbridge, Nixle, IPAWS, and official social media channels.

Respond to field incidents, command posts, emergency activations, and special events outside of normal business hours when necessary.

Support Fire Department initiatives related to recruitment, CERT programs, school outreach, community preparedness, and public education.

Class Specification Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and manage or support public safety programs, volunteer programs, problem‑solving and engagement activities, and other public relations programs.

Write, edit, design, and produce press releases, public service announcements, brochures, fact sheets, and presentations to create public awareness of Department activities and events.

Maintain the City's website, social media and technological outreach systems for content and design, ensuring accuracy, consistency and quality.

Oversee and enforce city ordinances, permits, and programs including film office, special event street light banner program, high‑impact special events, places of entertainment license program, alarm permits, parking citations, administrative remedy program, emergency preparedness initiatives, alerting and notification systems outreach, Fire Prevention Week, Fire Public Education, recruitment initiatives, volunteer coordination/outreach, and other special events or programs related to selected public safety activities.

Coordinate efforts with department command staff and other city departments as it relates to community events, problems, or nuisance issues.

Respond to field command posts or other special events outside of normal working hours to serve as Public Information Officer.

Research and respond to public inquiries regarding public safety matters.

Compile and analyze data to assess cost, operational feasibility and other aspects of the Department's community engagement programs.

Participate in the preparation and monitoring of related unit budgets, RFPs, and contracts.

Prepare complete, concise, and accurate staff reports for command staff and City Council regarding matters related to the community engagement.

Direct, train, and supervise professional and technical staff within the Community Engagement Unit.

Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of principles of program management; state and local laws and ordinances related to the assigned duties; principles and practices of communications and public information techniques through different mediums, including print, Internet, television, and PowerPoint; writing and editing techniques for a variety of audiences; typical City services, structure and programs; working with graphic design software; research and problem‑solving techniques; principles and practices of effective employee supervision including selection, training, evaluation, discipline, motivation, and team building; principles of appropriate conflict resolution techniques; workload forecasting and staffing models in an extended‑hours environment; developing and implementing goals and objectives and applying them to guide and define communications operations and employee performance through the use of work plans.

Skill in preparing clear, concise and complete analysis, proposals, reports and other written materials; maintaining accurate records and meeting critical deadlines; researching and analyzing complex problems, evaluating varied information and data, either in statistical or narrative form, and exercising sound judgment within established guidelines; communicating effectively with other professionals and members of the public; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; working collaboratively with diverse individuals and groups; demonstrating working knowledge of common office software such as Microsoft Office Suite; acquiring skill in utilizing specialized automated systems.

Ability to develop, plan, direct and manage a public information function; understand and communicate technical data to the public and the media; analyze issues and draw logical and sensitive conclusions; write proposals, press releases, articles, etc.; prepare presentations; design and layout electronic and print newsletters and website pages; use desktop publishing and printing techniques; learn the use of specialized computer software applicable to the position; work independently with limited supervision and under multiple deadlines; collaborate and bring key stakeholders together and work with the public tactfully, courteously and effectively; develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of City staff, agencies, organizations and vendors; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Education/Experience
Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of and competency in the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. A typical qualifying background would include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in marketing, journalism, public relations, public administration, or a related field, and five years of increasingly responsible experience in public affairs, public communications and/or public relations that includes two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements

Must be willing to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

Must possess a Class C Driver’s License and be able to travel independently within and outside City limits. Failure to maintain this license will result in discipline up to and including termination.

Physical and Environmental Demands
Sitting: Frequent
Walking: Occasional
Standing: Occasional
Bending (neck): Frequent
Bending (waist): Rare
Squatting: Rare
Climbing: Never
Kneeling: Never
Crawling: Never
Jumping: Never
Balancing: Never
Twisting (neck): Occasional
Twisting (waist): Rare
Grasp - light (dominant hand): Frequent
Grasp - light (non‑dominant): Occasional
Grasp - firm (dominant hand): Rare
Grasp - firm (non‑dominant): Rare
Fine manipulation (dominant): Frequent
Fine manipulation (non‑dominant): Frequent
Reach – at/below shoulder: Rare
Reach – above shoulder level: Rare

Push/pull:
Up to 10 lbs. Rare
11 to 25 lbs. Rare
26 to 50 lbs. Never
51 to 75 lbs. Never
76 to 100 lbs. Never
Over 100 lbs. Never

Lifting:
Up to 10 lbs. Rare
11 to 25 lbs. Rare
26 to 50 lbs. Never
51 to 75 lbs. Never
76 to 100 lbs. Never
Over 100 lbs. Never

Carrying:
Up to 10 lbs. Rare
11 to 25 lbs. Rare
26 to 50 lbs. Never
51 to 75 lbs. Never
76 to 100 lbs. Never
Over 100 lbs. Never

Coordination: Eye-hand required; eye-hand-foot not required; driving required.

Vision:
Acuity, near: Required – when/if driving
Acuity, far: Required – when/if driving
Depth perception: Required – when/if driving
Accommodation: Required – when/if driving
Color vision: Required – when/if driving
Field of vision: Required – when/if driving

Hearing:
Normal conversation: Required
Telephone communication: Required
Earplugs required: Not required

Work environment: Works indoors, works outdoors, exposure to extreme hot or cold temperature, being around moving machinery (driving), working below ground, works around others, works alone, works with others.

Classification and Compensation
Class Code: 1043
FLSA: Exempt
EEOC Code: 2
Negotiable Unit: FAME
Probation: 12 months
Revision: 05/13

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