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PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

ADMINISTRATOR III

Recruitment #25-002588-0034

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Introduction

MDEM is looking for a diligent, detail-oriented individual who is excited about making Maryland a safer place to live and work by assisting with the Office of Communication. 

MDEM’s mission is to proactively reduce disaster risks and reliably manage consequences through collaborative work with Maryland’s communities and partners. MDEM is the department of State government with primary responsibility and authority for emergency preparedness policy, and for coordinating hazard mitigation, incident response, and disaster recovery. MDEM is a national leader in Emergency Management that provides Maryland residents, organizations, and emergency management partners with expert information, programmatic activities, and leadership in the delivery of financial, technical, and physical resources “to shape a resilient Maryland where communities thrive.” We do this by being Maryland's designated source of official risk reduction and consequence management information.

NOTE: This position operates within an on-call rotating schedule according to assignment within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) to attend to all emergencies on a statewide 24/7 basis. This may involve working 12-hour shifts extended periods of time in support of 24-hour consequence management activities.

GRADE

18

LOCATION OF POSITION

7229 Parkway Dr. Suite 200, Hanover, MD 21076

Main Purpose of Job

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) is the department of State government with primary responsibility and authority for emergency preparedness policy, and for coordinating hazard mitigation, incident response, and disaster recovery. MDEM works to ensure that all Marylanders are prepared, and to make Maryland more resilient. Emergency management project leads support MDEM’s mission by supporting projects and programs which ultimately enhance preparedness for all Marylanders. 

The Public Information Officer (PIO) primarily reports to the MDEM Branch Manager for Communications. The PIO serves in a leadership capacity in emergency management programs and coordinates staff to support project execution. The PIO is responsible for supporting a variety of emergency management projects across a spectrum of subject areas, including: 

• Crisis Communications & Reputation Management 
• Media Monitoring & Analysis 
• Media Relations 
• SEOC & Joint Information Center/System (JIC/JIS) Operations 
• Social Media & Digital Communications 
• Internal Communications & Training 
• Community & Stakeholder Engagement 
• Technical Writing and Reporting 

The PIO develops and implements emergency and non-emergency public information, education, and awareness strategies and plans in support of the MDEM’s mission to minimize the adverse effect of all natural or man-made disasters or emergencies that affect residents and property in Maryland. The PIO also responds to public and media queries as required and will serve as State spokesperson as required. The PIO provides public information assistance and training to State and local public information officials as required. 

As a team member of the Office of Communications, the PIO is tasked with contributing to the crafting and execution of the Department’s communications strategy and is expected to support outreach roles as needed, up to and including public communications and engagement via our digital properties, educating visitors about MDEM’s role in the MD Emergency Management System, and proactively engaging opportunities to earn media coverage. 

In order to fulfill these responsibilities, this position requires strong communications, presentation, organizational, and writing skills.

POSITION DUTIES

Perform emergency and disaster response and recovery operations as needed and/or assigned by Department Secretary;

Serve as a MDEM PIO-on-Duty on a rotating basis, including maintaining administrative control of internal and external communications from an operational perspective, providing guidance to the Statewide Duty Officer, Director on Call, Risk analyst on Duty, and briefing Senior Executive Leadership;

Write, design, lay out types, distribute and/or acquire press releases, newsletters, brochures, reports and other printed materials to inform department personnel, local jurisdiction emergency management personnel, the media, and the public of emergency preparedness news and issues using department-approved software, equipment and formatting styles;

Write, review, and execute plans and standard operation procedures to ensure that public affairs for State, federal and local exercises and actual events are implemented within published and/or accepted guidelines and strategies;

Coordinate joint public information efforts during emergencies and exercises to ensure the accurate, timely and coordinated information;

Coordinate MDEM's PIO Support Group (MPSG) recruitment, maintenance and training;

Provide public affairs instruction to State and local jurisdiction personnel through training classes;

Support and participate in Communications and Outreach Branch initiatives and programs, including promoting MDEM and the Department's associated preparedness programs by administering projects related to community outreach, public affairs and communications, and non-profit and private-sector preparedness;

Lead emergency management projects to include task tracking, meeting scheduling, relationship building with stakeholders, tracking and monitoring progress;

Support MDEM's internal capacity building and workforce development by serving as a subject matter expert in development of trainings, exercises, protocols;

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Six years of administrative staff or professional work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strong preference will be given to applicants that possess the following preferred qualification(s). 
  • At least 5 years of experience in communications-related professions such as print or broadcast journalism, or marketing and strategy roles in a dynamic or regulated industry that relies on service to the public and effective communication.
  • Exceptional communications skill (oral, visual, and written).
  • Experience working with national and local news media, external communications, and marketing.
  • Strong skills in the digital media realm, included but not limited to expertise in social media and supporting software, e.g., Canva, Adobe Premier, ChatGPT
  • Experience with digital media, (capture, edit, and amplify digital content in photography, animation, and video to craft both public information & warning during incidents and preparedness messaging during blue skies).  
  • Familiarity with one or more video, audio, and photo editing software platforms, like Audacity, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, and Canva.
  • Experience in the emergency management field (or related field).
  • Competence in Spanish

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Maryland Department of Emergency Management, 7229 Parkway Drive, Suite 200, Hanover, MD 21076. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please call Paige Bailey at 443-381-9691 or email at
paige.bailey1@maryland.gov.

MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.



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