Job Details

Emergency Management Communications Specialist

Bring your public communications experience to the County of Sonoma's Department of Emergency Management and become an Emergency Management Communications Specialist. Starting salary up to $63.74/hour ($133,033/year) and a competitive total compensation package!

In the Department of Emergency Management, the Emergency Management Communications Specialist develops public information campaigns on preparedness, emergency messaging, and recovery information. They act as the spokesperson for the department, and staff the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on a rotating basis during an emergency activation. This position requires flexibility and the willingness to work effectively under adverse physical and/or mental conditions, as needed, during emergency response to include inclement weather, environments subject to sudden changes and/or extremes, noise, close and confined quarters, and stressful situations. The Emergency Management Communications Specialist must also be willing to travel for extensive periods at any time emergencies arise. Additional responsibilities may include:

• Coordinating and participating in disaster and emergency preparedness, and public information committees
• Developing and giving emergency management-related presentations to stakeholders, the community, and neighborhood groups
• Preparing and maintaining the Department's website and social media content
• Participating in emergency management trainings and exercises
• Working independently on projects, tasks, and with other department divisions for public information campaigns and messaging
• Attending local, State, and Federal meetings, conference, and workshops

As an ideal candidate you will demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, establish and maintain cooperative relationships with government agencies, community groups, and other stakeholders, and thrive working in a fast-paced environment with the ability to shift gears quickly. You are passionate about the field of emergency management, and possess many of the following:

• Knowledge of emergency management programs, and experience in long or large-scale emergencies and disasters
• Experience with the State of California Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS)
• Completed coursework in crisis communications or emergency management
• The 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
• The 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 with the ability to effectively relay information to a diverse audience and various situations, by giving live media interviews, and public presentations
• Completion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Professional Development Series certificate is highly desirable, but not required
• Bilingual English/Spanish are desired, but not required

This position may fill a rotating Department Operations Center (DOC) and or an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) section position during EOC activation/proclaimed emergencies. This can include evenings, overnight shifts, weekends and holidays.

The Department of Emergency Management is committed to improving the preparedness and resilience of the community. The Department's purpose is to increase the County's capabilities to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from county-wide emergencies and disasters. In support of this mission, the Department of Emergency Management is responsible for developing and supporting emergency operation plans for the County, cities, and districts; developing and conducting training and educational outreach programs related to emergency preparedness to the community; and serving as the primary coordination point between County emergency management and Federal, State, and neighboring agencies. The Department of Emergency Management also oversees the County's Emergency Operations Center.

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of 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 help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A 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), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits: Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

This recruitment is being conducted to fill an Emergency Management Communications Specialist position in the Department of Emergency Management. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title of this position is County Communications Specialist. Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.