Summary
Description
The Community Engagement Team Member is a supporting position and a member of the Community Engagement team of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Wildland Fire Management Program. The position reports directly to the Community Engagement Module Lead. The position will be responsible for developing and supporting an outreach and education program that collaborates and supports partners and residents across Jefferson County. The program works to inform and engage residents and deliver comprehensive wildfire risk mitigation campaigns. The program fosters collaboration amongst stakeholders to gain common understanding and build wildfire resilience across Jefferson County. This position plays a role in ensuring that the residents of Jefferson County have the information, resources, and access to programs to be prepared for wildfire events.
The Wildland Fire Management Program was recently approved by the County Commissioners for a significant investment, including the addition of 37 new permanent full-time positions. Program includes a response and suppression section, Community Engagement, grant coordinator, two Fire Management Officers, a Fire Planner and GIS Analyst.
The ideal candidate is a self-motivated person who can work independently with little oversight or direction to achieve program goals and interacts well with a team. This is an in-person (not remote) position that will work a 4-10 schedule (Monday -Thursday) but also expected to be available outside the normal work week for incident support or special outreach programs as needed. During major incidents, this position may be eligible for overtime outside the normal work week as well as opportunities to participate on the county's Type 3 Incident Management Team for all-hazard incidents within and outside the county and/or state.
- Coordinates, collaborates, and partners with HOAs, community groups, fire districts, nonprofits, utilities, businesses and schools for engagement opportunities to prepare citizens to adapt to inevitable wildfire.
- Implements public education and outreach program campaigns and activities aimed at engaging residents and partners to reduce wildfire risks.
- Assists in the development and implementation of opportunities to connect people in the community with programs and events including program evaluation tools, collect data, perform analysis of public engagement activities, make recommendations for program adjustments.
- Delivers targeted wildfire preparedness messaging to inform and empower residents toward risk-reducing behaviors.
- Assists in the design and implementation of wildfire preparedness and mitigation presentations for citizens, community organizations, businesses, and other partners.
- Assists in the planning and delivery of workshops, forums, and open house events for citizens, professionals, and partners to support neighborhood wildfire preparedness efforts.
- Represents the Jefferson County Wildfire Management Program at partner and community events by setting up informational tables, interactive displays, and distributing educational materials to raise awareness and engage stakeholders.
- Facilitates age-appropriate presentations in schools to support wildfire awareness and risk reduction.
- Other duties as assigned.
Preferred:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, education, wildfire, or closely related field.
- Knowledge of principles, practices and procedures of public information, media relations, public relations and communications.
- Knowledge of basic vegetation management related to wildfire.
- Knowledge of defensible space principles and practices.
- Knowledge of wildfire mitigation best practices.
- Knowledge of promotional and marketing strategies.
- Use technology to coordinate, create, and manage engagement mechanisms such as video production, telecommunications, photography, and web content.
- Website creation and design.
