Public Affairs Manager

Public Affairs Manager

The Fremont Fire Department is recruiting for the position of Public Affairs Manager. The Fremont Fire Department is committed to protecting life, property, and the environment through emergency response, prevention, preparedness, and community engagement. Serving a diverse and dynamic community in the heart of the Bay Area, the Department values innovation, professionalism, and strong partnerships both within the organization and throughout the community.

The Department is seeking a strategic and highly collaborative Public Affairs Manager to lead communications, public information, and community engagement efforts for the Fremont Fire Department. This position serves as the Department's primary Public Information Officer (PIO) and plays a critical role in shaping public messaging, supporting emergency communications, and strengthening community trust and preparedness.

This is not a traditional communications role. The ideal candidate is equal parts strategist, communicator, collaborator, and problem-solver; someone who can move seamlessly between executive briefings, community outreach events, emergency response communications, and operational coordination. We're looking for someone who:

• Thrives in a fast-paced public safety environment
• Is politically savvy and exercises sound judgment under pressure
• Builds strong relationships across divisions, departments, and community groups
• Understands the importance of consistent, accurate, and timely messaging during emergencies and critical incidents
• Is comfortable preparing messaging, briefing materials, and communication strategies for executive leadership and elected officials
• Can confidently and professionally respond to media inquiries and serve as a trusted public information resource

This role reports directly to the Fire Chief and works closely with all divisions throughout the Fremont Fire Department, as well as the City's Communications Director, to ensure coordinated and effective public messaging.

The Public Affairs Manager oversees a broad range of communications, outreach, and public engagement functions for the Department. Responsibilities include:

• Serving as the Department's Public Information Officer (PIO) and primary media contact
• Developing and managing public education, outreach, preparedness, and engagement programs
• Writing and producing press releases, presentations, newsletters, public service announcements, briefing materials, and other communications
• Managing website content, social media platforms, and digital communications tools
• Supporting emergency alerting and notification efforts through systems such as Everbridge, Nixle, IPAWS, and official social media channels
• Responding to field incidents, command posts, emergency activations, and special events outside of normal business hours when necessary
• Supporting Fire Department initiatives related to recruitment, CERT programs, school outreach, community preparedness, and public education

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of: Principles of program management; State and local laws and ordinances as it relates to assigned duties; Principles and practices of communications and public information techniques through different mediums, including print, Internet, television, and PowerPoint; writing and editing techniques for a variety of audiences; typical City services, structure and programs; working with graphic design software; research and problem solving techniques. Principles and practices of effective employee supervision including selection, training, evaluation, discipline, motivation, and team building and employee development programs; Principles of appropriate conflict resolution techniques; Work load forecasting and staffing models in an extended hours environment; developing and implementing goals and objectives and in applying them to guide and define both communications operations and employee performance through the use of work plans; Skill in: Preparing clear, concise and complete analysis, proposals, reports and other written materials; maintaining accurate records and meeting critical deadlines; researching and analyzing complex problems, evaluating varied information and data, either in statistical or narrative form, and exercising sound judgment within established guidelines; communicating effectively with other professionals and members of the public; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships, and working collaboratively with diverse individuals and groups. Demonstrated working knowledge of common office software such as Microsoft Office Suite, and acquire skill in utilizing specialized automated systems. Ability to: Develop, plan, direct and manage a public information function; understand and communicate technical data to the public and the media; analyze issues and draw logical and sensitive conclusions; write, proposals, press releases, articles, etc.; prepare presentations; design and layout electronic and print newsletters and website pages; use desktop publishing and printing techniques; learn the use of specialized computer software applicable to the position; work independently with limited supervision and under multiple deadlines; collaborate and bring key stakeholders together and work with the public tactfully, courteously and effectively; develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of City staff, agencies, organizations and vendors; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Incumbents must possess the physical and mental capacity to work under the conditions described in this document and to perform the duties required by their assigned position.

Education/Experience: Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of and competency in requisite knowledge, skills and abilities would be qualifying. A typical qualifying background would include: a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in marketing, journalism, public relations, public administration, or a related field, and five years of increasingly responsible experience in public affairs, public communications and/or public relations that includes two years in a lead or supervisory capacity.