PUBLIC EDUCATION SPECIALIST - Federal Way
DEFINITION:
The Public Education Specialist provides citizens with information and training to reduce the incidence of and respond appropriately to fires and other preventable emergencies. This position also acts as an interface between the public and the fire department, meeting public and media needs for information. The Public Education Specialist is assigned to the Public Education Division. This is a non-combat position with no requirement for fire suppression or emergency medical response.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Individuals assigned to this classification will normally perform public education and fire prevention activities regularly, proficiently and independently, according to departmental policies, rules, standard operating procedures, and established precedent. Issues requiring deviation from these guidelines will normally be referred to the Fire Marshal for decision or direction. While acting as the Public Information Officer, the Public Education Specialist may be required to interact with the Fire Chief/Administrator and the Deputy Chief of the department regarding matters of high confidentiality. Thus, the employee shall be considered as an employee of confidence.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
This position normally receives assignments from the Fire Marshal, and performs his/her duties under the immediate supervision of the Fire Marshal. The individual filling this position will work in a collegial and cooperative relationship with other Public Education Specialist(s) and Deputy Fire Marshals. Although the Public Education Specialist is not a supervisor, he/she will provide supervision over tasks and projects involving other department personnel and others as necessary.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:
1. Public Education
Identifies public education needs and evaluates public education programs by analyzing emergency responses, hazards, and information from the public and fire department divisions/members.
Maintains liaison with the community and department divisions/members to facilitate this analysis.
Implements fire and life safety education programs into area schools; trains teachers in program utilization.
Personally makes fire and life safety education presentations to citizen groups, businesses, and schools.
Conducts juvenile firesetter screening and education utilizing approved guidelines.
Creates and develops audio-visual presentations and literature to meet the needs of diverse citizen groups, including preparation of standardized lesson plans.
Coordinates CPR and first aid classes; coordinates and instructs fire extinguisher classes and station tours. Works closely with operations division personnel to schedule classes and tours.
Develops and maintains a library of written and audio-visual materials on public education and fire/life safety.
Prepares public education displays; schedules, delivers, and sets up displays.
Recruits and trains volunteers to assist with existing public education programs.
2. Public Information and Public Relations
Acts as a Public Information Officer for the department for routine inquiries and at emergency scenes. Arranges for fire and life safety publicity, including writing news releases for radio, television and newspaper distribution. May write a newspaper column occasionally or regularly.
Photographs special events or emergency scenes.
Represents the fire department at public events.
Coordinates fire department participation in designated special events.
Coordinates and produces the department's Annual Report and other special publications for the public.
3. Internal Communications
Trains department members in public education/information and public relations subjects and techniques.
Co-edits and publishes the department newsletter.
4. Planning and Logistics
With other Public Education Specialist(s) and subject to review by the Fire Marshal, develops, reviews, and revises public education programs, policies, and practices.
Assists in developing and monitoring annual public education budget; makes purchasing recommendations.
Researches and develops grants and funding sources for public education programs.
Compiles, prepares and maintains records relating to public education activities.
5. Other Duties
Researches, develops, and presents programs on a variety of topics to department heads and other governmental and legislative leaders.
Maintains professional abilities and state-of-the-art knowledge through written materials and continuing education at training schools, seminars, and conferences.
Attends and participates in county and state fire and life safety and/or disaster organization meetings
Performs other related duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Performs duties and functions at varied times, including scheduled evening and weekend hours. May be called to emergency scenes during evening, night or weekend hours when acting as Public Information Officer.
Performs duties and functions at varied locations in the community. Includes buildings that are accessible only by stairway, rugged outdoor terrain, and emergency scenes with physical hazards such as smoke, broken glass or other debris. Requires ability to move freely within an emergency area.
Interacts with and instructs people of all ages from preschool through senior citizens. Interacts with fire and injury victims who may be psychologically traumatized.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
1. Communication Skills
Be a confident and articulate public speaker for large and small groups.
Have proficient graphic skills for the preparation of audio-visual materials (charts, signs, handouts, audiotapes, slides, and videotapes).
Possess good teaching skills for grades K-12.
Possess writing/journalistic talents.
Possess excellent public relations skills and ability to work effectively with the news media.
Ability to deal persuasively in varied situations.
Ability to deal with and provide leadership for school administrators and teachers in the implementation of fire and life safety education programs.
Ability to deal with and communicate effectively with all age groups (small children through senior citizens).
Ability to deal with and communicate effectively with department heads and other governmental and legislative leaders.
2. Planning/Organizing Ability
Able to research and assess needs, plan, develop, implement and evaluate programs.
Skilled in lesson plan preparation.
Well-organized, with ability to attend to details and follow through as necessary.
3. Equipment Skills
Possess typing and word processing skills.
Ability to use a personal computer, proficient in Outlook, Word, Adobe PageMaker, Omnipage Scanning Software, and other software programs.
Ability to operate a variety of communications and visual aid equipment.
Ability to operate basic office equipment, including fax and copy machines.
4. Personal Characteristics
Be self-motivated, able to work independently and be successful with limited supervision.
Ability to work under difficult time frames and deadlines.
Dynamic, outgoing personality.
Well groomed and neat.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Must have B.A. or B.S. in Education and/or Communications, and a minimum of three years of experience in public education or a closely-related field. Five years of experience in public education or a closely-related field with no degree is also acceptable.
Formal training or extensive experience as an instructor in grades K-12 very desirable. Fire Service experience very desirable.
Must be willing to actively pursue additional training to maximize needed job skills.
Additional Qualifications:
Washington State driver's license and good driving record.
Insurable by department insurance carrier.
Since the Public Education Specialist will be working with children, he/she must be willing to authorize and able to pass a background check by Washington State Patrol.
To facilitate functioning as a Public Information Officer must reside within 30 minutes' driving distance of Federal Way Fire Department or be willing to move within that driving distance within one year from the time of employment.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Portable radios, cellular telephones, audio-visual equipment, personal computer, printer, copy machine, postage machine, fax machine.
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 frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is often required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
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 the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and loud at emergency scenes.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. 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.