Fire Communication Specialist

The City of Asheville is dedicated to providing quality service for the residents and visitors of our beautiful city, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Asheville, NC is a thriving mountain city that has a culture enriched in diversity.

The City of Asheville values and respects a diverse community, workforce and ideas, and is committed to promoting an equitable, fair, and just employment environment. Our organization seeks to create and provide access and opportunities to employees, residents and visitors to fulfill their potential through inclusive engagement practices.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status.

About our opportunity: 

The City of Asheville is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Communication Specialist to join the Fire Department. This position is responsible for strategic and inclusive communication and engagement planning for the Asheville Fire Department, execution of communication programs across multiple platforms, copywriting, managing dynamic content for social media sites, preparing press releases, advising Fire Chiefs, department directors and other staff on strategic communications in reaching and ways the city and Fire Department can be positively positioned and portrayed through relationships, traditional and social media.. Employee must work collaboratively while also exercising initiative, imagination and independent judgment to develop and implement programs. Work requires contact with media representatives, department staff and the general public.

Typical work hours will be Monday-Friday, 8:30-5:00; must be willing to work occasional evening and weekend hours including extended hours to support essential city functions in cases of declared emergencies. An alternative and/or hybrid or virtual work arrangement may be available.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Writes and distributes releases; coordinates media interviews with City staff; vets interviews; prepares staff for and accompanies staff to interviews; and reviews responses to email interviews for messaging opportunities.

• Produces and publishes content for social media channels and City website: creates, edits and posts videos, photos, and social media posters; prepares, edits and/or publishes press releases, news articles, and blog posts to the City's news site; and determines order of appearance.

• Develops and implements a comprehensive communications plan to support the mission and objectives of assigned departments; develops communications strategies; reviews internal and external communications to ensure consistent messaging; creates and implements public relations campaigns to support special projects, service changes, and new initiatives; and advises and assists in developing and managing messaging to the community during emergencies and natural disasters.

• Develop and implement a robust internal communication strategy including producing/ publishing content for the Fire Department including creating, editing and posting podcasts, videos, photos, etc. 

• Ensures functionality and accessibility of internal and external websites: ensures employee and community engagement; manages website information to protect the City's brand and image; trains editors in classroom setting to edit and maintain web pages; ensures continuity of design; ensures compliance with website style guide; troubleshoots problems and recommends solutions; reports analytics; and coordinates with Information Technology Department staff as needed.

• Performs related duties in support of department operations: coordinates creation of brochures, videos, and posters with other team members; writes communication and engagement plans; and assists team members with engagement meetings, Mines social media for trends or issues that affect the AFD branding or image.

• Communicates with City Manager, Fire Chiefs, supervisor, department directors, Communication and Public Engagement department, other City employees, the public, the media, outside agencies and organizations, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

• Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives, reviews, prepares, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate various forms, reports, correspondence, communications and engagement plans, brochures, contracts, press releases, and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records. 

• Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, website, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field required; supplemented by two years of experience in media or public relations, journalism, social media marketing, or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Preferred Qualifications:

Professional Communication certifications such as: Communications Management Professional (CMP), Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC),  ICS Public Information Basics

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with others to coordinate the more complex programs and more complex problems associated with the responsibilities of the job. Often represents the department and/or organization when dealing with others.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. 

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude:  Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform mathematical operations with fractions; may include ability to compute discount, interest, and ratios; may include ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures.

Functional Reasoning:   Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Salary : $55,661