Job Description

　　GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

　　This position is designated as an Emergency Personnel Position. Due to the nature of the job functions and responsibilities associated with this position, the person in this position may be required to report to work during an emergency, or during non-business hours to support agency operations, even if state offices are closed or other state workers are excused from work.

　　This position reports to the Public Information Program Supervisor.

　　General Duties

　　The Public Information Officer (PIO) performs public information and preparedness activities on behalf of the agency, including, but not limited to:

　　Preparing and disseminating preparedness messaging and information to the public.Ensures all emergency management programs and services are equally accessible to and effective for individuals with access and functional needs (AFN) and those with limited English proficiency.Developing and implementing preparedness campaigns and initiatives.Supporting preparedness activities.Preparing and disseminating media releases and advisories.Responding to inquiries from members of the media.Coordinating the agency's public information activities with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Governor's Office, and other agencies and organizations.Preparing and disseminating emergency and non-emergency information to the public, media and stakeholders pertaining to agency and State Emergency Operations Center activities.Developing content/information for the agency's website and posting information to the agency's website.Supporting emergency communications to the public via the agency's alert and warning platforms.Supporting public information and messaging needs for pre planned events.Promoting the agency and emergency management through stakeholder engagement, tours of MEMA's facilities, public information and outreach, and other activities.

　　Public Outreach & Preparedness

　　The Public Information Officer supports MEMA's mission by increasing public awareness of threats and hazards, sharing information with the public in anticipation of, and during disasters, emergencies, and pre-planned events and promoting personal, family, business, and community preparedness.The PIO plays an active role in community preparedness. The PIO will thoroughly develop preparedness campaigns, videos, toolkits for locals, and outreach strategies. The PIO may work with Executive Level Agencies to prepare citations, promote campaigns, and other related tasks. The PIO uses several platforms and medium to communicate with the public and stakeholders, including, but not limited to social media, Agency's website, print media, radio, television, email, presentations, tours, meetings, expositions, and conferences. The PIO makes recommendations to the PIU Supervisor on the use of new or different communications tools, systems, and methods to enhance the agency's public information activities and outreach.The PIO may be asked to instruct Public Information or related courses.The PIO ensures all emergency management programs and services are equally accessible to and effective for individuals with access and functional needs (AFN) and those with limited English proficiency.

　　Working with the Media

　　Under the supervision of the Public Information Program Supervisor and Senior Leadership, the Public Information Officer responds to inquiries from and communicates with the media. The PIO maintains good relationships with members of the media and maintains distribution and contact lists to facilitate communication with the media. The PIO serves as a point of contact with public, private, and non-profit agencies and organizations seeking or needing general information about the Agency, preparedness information, emergency and non-emergency information about the State Emergency Operations Center and response and recovery activities, and emergency management.The PIO works with Agency staff and external stakeholders on developing and disseminating information to the public, and related messaging. The PIO develops/drafts handouts and brochures, media releases, social media posts, remarks, presentations, and content for the agency's website.

　　Promotes the Agency

　　The Public Information Officer works across social media platforms to maximize MEMA's web presence and outreach. The PIO maintains the Agency website and provides content and support for the Agency's SharePoint. The PIO will document Agency activities through photojournalism and will be expected to attend meeting, exercises, activations, press conferences, and other events as directed. The PIO serves as a goodwill ambassador and give tours, presentations, and other educational endeavors on behalf of the Agency.The PIO maintains the Agency's archives and maybe responsible for building and displaying exhibits.

　　Planning, Emergencies, Activations, and Afterhours

　　The Public Information Officer will draft, contribute to emergency plans, or serve as a subject matter expert for the Planning Unit.The PIO is responsible for communicating with the public, media, and/or coordinating with other agencies, as necessary, with incident related information requirements. The PIO is responsible for developing and releasing information about the incident to the news media, incident personnel, and other appropriate agencies and organizations. When the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) is activated, the PIO may assume the Public Information Officer position within the SEOC. The PIO may operate as the Public Information Branch, or as an Emergency Support Function (ESF). The PIO will serve as part of a Joint Information System (JIS) and may serve in a Joint Information Center (JIC). The PIO is responsible for ensuring the whole community has access to emergency information. The PIO must develop products or the means to communicate with entire population, including those with without hearing, eyesight, or speak a different language.The PIO will be assigned to an SEOC standby team and will have on call responsibilities. On occasion, the PIO may be asked to be available, and respond to media inquiries during non-activation emergencies.The PIO is responsible for recruiting and training a PIO cadre of Agency employees.

　　DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

　　Prepare and disseminate media advisories and releases on behalf of the agency. Receive and respond to inquiries from the media. Conduct on-camera, on-air, and background interviews with the media. Maintain good relationships with the media. Maintain contact and distribution lists to facilitate communications with the media.Promote the agency, emergency management, and disaster preparedness by preparing, publishing, communicating, and disseminating information using different medium and strategies including, but not limited to social media, the agency's website, MEMA's bulletins or annual reports, publications, brochures, posters and banners, presentations to members of the public and stakeholder groups, focused initiatives and campaigns, media releases, and tours of MEMA's facilities.Prepare and disseminate public information about or during emergencies, disasters, and events, including providing specific guidance on preparedness and safety actions to be taken before, during or after an emergency or disaster. Recommend platforms, systems and medium to use to disseminate such information.Draft remarks, talking points, and information for use by the Director, Secretary of Public Safety and Security, Governor, and others in interviews, statements, releases, and speaking engagements.Provide accurate, timely, concise, and coordinated information to the public using MEMA's social media and other public facing communications platforms. Ensure that all such communications are consistent with the agency's public information goals, objectives, and strategies.Research and propose ways to enhance public preparedness and the dissemination of information to the public, media, and stakeholders, whether via social media or other platforms and medium. Propose, implement, and support public information and preparedness campaigns and initiatives to enhance preparedness and resilience. Promote initiatives/campaigns of other stakeholders, such as FEMA's Preparedness Month, the Great Northeast Shakeout, and Hurricane Preparedness Week.Is familiar with, and utilizes MEMA's public information and alerting platforms and technologies, such as Massachusetts Alerts, Emergency Alert System, and Wireless Emergency Alerts; and identifies and recommends new or different technologies/systems that may increase efficiency and increase MEMA's ability to reach a wider audience.Ensure that website content is maintained and updated on regular basis;Develop and maintain an electronic library of pre-scripted social media messages for various threats, hazards and situations, and ensure that all such messages are periodically reviewed and updated and are consistent with each other and information on MEMA's website;Maintain and implement a strategy for delivering preparedness information and related content throughout the year, ensuring that the information being disseminated is related to the threats, hazards, and preparedness campaigns at that time. For example, hurricane preparedness information should be delivered during hurricane season, and general preparedness should be promoted during Preparedness Month (as well as other times of the year.)Track social media analytics and overall program metrics. Use these analytics and metrics to help improve future programs and messages.Develop and maintain effective relationships with partners from other public safety agencies and private sector organizations to improve MEMA's public information capabilities and outreach, and overall preparedness. • Coordinate public information activities with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security and the Governor's Office, including providing daily updates/reports on public information activities.Participate in Mass.gov's "social media users' group" or other such groups to stay up to date on, and support state agency public information and social media activities. Coordinate with public information officers/coordinators from other local, state, and federal agencies, and private sector organizations.Promote MEMA's preparedness programs and messages through appropriate venues;Attend and participate in internal and external meetings and events on behalf of the agency. Offer remarks or presentations at such meetings/events. Promote the agency and emergency management at such meetings.Work with MEMA's Training and Exercise Unit to develop or deliver public information and social media trainings and/or presentations to local and state emergency managers and public safety officials, and other stakeholders.

　　Additional Duties:

　　May be assigned to participate in, or support training programs, drills and exercises.

　　May be assigned to work in or support the State Emergency Operations Center, one of

　　MEMA's Regional Emergency Operations Centers, or a local, regional or state Emergency Operations Center or command post during disasters, emergencies, incidents and pre-planned events. May also be assigned to support field response or recovery operations.

　　May be required to work extended hours, including during nights and weekends in the event of a disaster, emergency, incident or threat affecting the Commonwealth, or in support of pre-planned events or activation of a state, regional or local emergency operations center.

　　May be required to travel within and outside of the Commonwealth in support of work assignments and responsibilities. Travel may require overnight stays.

　　May be required to carry and use a two-way public safety radio during duty hours.

　　Must have basic computer knowledge and experience, and a willingness and ability to learn and use work-related software programs, applications, and technology systems.

　　Must have reliable transportation to and from work or assigned locations on a daily basis as well as during emergency activations or operations.

　　Must have the ability to form effective and productive working relations with others, and to work well with others and as part of a team.

　　Fulfill other work-related assignments as required or assigned.

　　Qualifications

　　First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

　　MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

　　Substitutions:

　　I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.

　　II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.

　　III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.

　　Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

　　*Preferred Qualifications: Bilingual in Spanish

　　Comprehensive Benefits

　　When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

　　Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!