City of Tampa

This is responsible work serving as the spokesperson and coordinator of public information for Tampa Fire Rescue.

The employee in this class serves as the public information coordinator and official spokesperson for Tampa Fire Rescue (TFR). Work involves tasks of more than average difficulty in planning, organizing and coordinating public relations activities and is performed under general supervision. Due to the nature of fire rescue activities, the employee must exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment, in addition to considerable discretion as to what, when and to whom information if released in order to protect innocent parties, medical privacy, pending cases, and unfinished investigations. The employee must take great care to ensure the accuracy of all statements before being released and, as spokesperson for the Fire Chief, must exercise tact and courtesy in dealing with the media and the public no matter how difficult the situation may be. The employee must be able to work an on-call schedule including response to emergency scenes as required. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports submitted and results achieved. This is an unclassified position. 

Coordinates public information efforts of Fire Rescue to assure that the press and public are provided with access to timely, accurate, and informative news concerning operations and programs.

Guides, contributes to, and participates in departmental public relations efforts for the purpose of promoting trust, cooperation, and understanding; coordinates and facilitates the dissemination of information to the media and the general public; prepares news releases and schedules and organizes press conferences.

Assists, as necessary, Public Education personnel as they provide public relations events for the purpose of providing effective life-safety education programs.

Conducts research on materials for feature newspaper and magazine articles and radio and television stories and documentaries; arranges for and coordinates the appearance of TFR personnel as needed.

Compiles information, writes, edits, and publishes a departmental newsletter; performs layout, editing, and publication of the departmental annual report.

Prepares and disseminates information regarding fire rescue through newspapers, periodicals, television and radio and other forms of media.

Prepares for and provides interviews to the news media in various formats including on camera and telephone.

Guides department training for public information including but not limited to classroom and mentoring.

Prepares reports and correspondence and performs related tasks.

Performs related work as required.

Extensive knowledge of: public relations, communications and public information dissemination techniques; public speaking principles and practices.

Considerable knowledge of: news media organizations and methods of operation; modern office practices, procedures and equipment.

Working knowledge of: all rules and laws for release of public information; computer applications including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and video and photo editing.

Ability to: speak clearly and succinctly in a variety of communications settings; write, edit and disseminate documents for internal and external use, including but not limited to professional articles, newsletters, video scripts, and training materials; take and post photos and videos and perform basic video and photo editing.

Skill in: interpersonal interaction with the general public, local news media and community groups in emergency situations.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, journalism, public relations, public or business administration, or a related field and one (1) year of experience in public relations or mass communications, including six (6) months experience dealing with public safety and/or emergency response agencies.

Possession of a valid Florida driver’s license.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.