Job Details

Position Overview

Title: Emergency Management Communications Specialist – County of Sonoma, Department of Emergency Management.Salary: up to $63.74/hour ( $133,033/year ) and a competitive total compensation package.*Location: Sonoma County, California.Public‑Facing Role: The Specialist develops public information campaigns on preparedness, emergency messaging, and recovery information, serves as the departmental spokesperson, and staffs the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on a rotating basis during an emergency activation.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and participate in disaster and emergency preparedness, and public information committees.
• Develop and deliver emergency management‑related presentations to stakeholders, the community, and neighborhood groups.
• Prepare and maintain the Department's website and social media content.
• Participate in emergency management trainings and exercises.
• Work independently on projects, tasks, and with other department divisions for public information campaigns and messaging.
• Attend local, state, and federal meetings, conferences, and workshops.
• Act as the spokesperson for the department and staff the EOC on a rotating basis during an emergency activation.
• Travel extensively, as needed, for emergencies and public information events.
• Remain flexible and willing to work effectively under adverse physical and/or mental conditions during emergency response.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of emergency management programs and experience in large‑scale emergencies and disasters.
• Experience with the State of California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS).
• Completed coursework in crisis communications or emergency management.
• Ability to effectively work with stakeholders and agencies to develop, coordinate, and maintain information campaigns, functional response plans, and annexes for crisis communications and public information and warning.
• Experience with photography, video editing software, and graphic design solutions and platforms.
• Ability to lead the Joint Information Center (JIC) during EOC activations and engage in the Joint Information System (JIS) within the operational area and regionally with external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, including live media interviews and public presentations.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Professional Development Series certificate highly desirable.
• Bilingual English/Spanish desired, not required.
• Valid California Driver's License required.
• Valid driver's license and special endorsements as appropriate to assignment.
• California State Driver's License mandatory.

Benefits

• Hybrid Telework (schedule available depending on assignment).
• Salary Advancement after 1,040 hours (6 months full‑time).
• Paid Time Off: competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays and 8 floating holiday hours per year.
• Staff Development/Wellness: Annual benefit allowances up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities.
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions: 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee‑only and employee + family health plan options.
• Post‑Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement: County contributions to post‑retirement health insurance/benefits.
• Retirement: Pension fully integrated with Social Security.
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation: 3%/1.9% of salary County contribution to a 401(a); County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a).
• Paid Parental Leave: up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment.
• Additional Benefits: Dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more.

Application Notes

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is committed to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by fax, email, or mail. All applications must be received by the recruitment close date.

For more detailed information about the hiring process, including application steps, and department selection process, please visit the County website.