Job Details

Public Information Officer

***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE***

The Public Information Officer (PIO) position integrates strategic emergency communications with professional visual design to support the mission of the Nevada Office of Emergency Management (NV OEM). This role is responsible for developing clear, accurate, and visually compelling all-hazard communications that inform government officials, media partners, and the public before, during, and after emergencies and disasters. Under the direction of the Chief Communications Officer, this position designs and produces a wide range of communication materials, including websites, brochures, newsletters, reports, social media graphics, logos, signage, videos, and public service announcements. The incumbent applies core design principles while adhering to the agency's branding guide for all materials disseminated to the public, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and visual communications that enhance message clarity, accessibility, and alignment with NV OEM messaging standards. Responsibilities include drafting and revising materials based on stakeholder feedback, ensuring brand compliance and accuracy, and utilizing industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and related multimedia platforms. This position works collaboratively with the Chief Communications Officer, PIO team, Administrator, Emergency Managers, and agency staff to develop marketing campaigns, storyboards, and outreach strategies that promote NV OEM programs and services. Duties include coordinating and conducting photo and video shoots; producing multimedia content; scheduling and analyzing social media messaging; and researching emerging tools, platforms, and best practices to strengthen public engagement. During activations and declared emergencies, the PIO/Graphic Artist supports public affairs operations by developing time-sensitive graphics, press materials, PSAs, and digital content; assisting with media coordination and briefings; updating WebEOC and other information-sharing platforms; and ensuring consistent, accurate messaging throughout response and recovery operations. This position requires strong communication skills, creativity, sound judgment, discretion, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in high-tempo environments while maintaining compliance with agency policies and safety standards in both office and field settings. Using modern communications equipment and social media, Public Information Officers manage the public relations and public information program for an agency on a statewide basis; write media releases, newsletters and informational brochures; produce multi-media presentations and take photographs; design, organize and maintain web platforms.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in journalism, English, public or community relations, communications or closely related field and two years of professional experience in public relations or public information including writing media releases and newsletters, preparing speeches and multimedia presentations; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above. Additional Position Requirements:

• Experience in creatively designing government products and web design is required.
• Experience / familiarity with the following is required: JIC/JIS Operational Plan, Emergency Preparedness Guide, Emergency Management Accreditation Program, National Response Framework, National Incident Management System, Incident Support Model.

Job Duties

Write news releases, create informational brochures, coordinate and script public service announcements, and research and author articles for publication and/or to inform the public of activities or items of interest; organize, draft and edit material for printing or publication and distribution; evaluate advertising and promotional materials for compatibility with public relations efforts. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with State and local government officials and media representatives; respond to queries and direct questions to appropriate staff; arrange press conferences and notify media representatives of newsworthy events. Develop internal and community relations publicity campaigns designed to build agency morale, community support, and a positive agency image and identity; prepare agency newsletters or brochures; draft and edit articles; layout and design materials for printing; draft speeches for special audiences and attend meetings. Collect articles, recordings of radio and television newscasts, and other informational releases pertaining to the agency; maintain informational files of background information; file information in order to monitor and maintain records of press coverage. Determine the need for photos or receive photo requests; arrange for appointments or photo shoots; select site and equipment; determine aesthetics and lighting; select poses or angles; print quality photos and/or prepare for publication; write scripts; determine sequence for slide presentations; and create multimedia presentations. Plan, organize, coordinate and publicize special events to provide information regarding agency services and activities. Develop and maintain the public communications portion of the departmental crisis disaster response plan, serve as the agency spokesperson during crisis or emergency situations. Perform related duties as assigned. Under limited supervision, incumbents manage and implement a public relations and public information program; write media releases, newsletters and brochures, and create multimedia presentations as described in the series concept.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Detailed knowledge of: desktop publishing software; journalistic writing and reporting. Working knowledge of: techniques for publicizing material through television, print, radio and other outlets; purpose and use of modern communications equipment; layout/design principles including cropping photos; photographic techniques and equipment; printing, graphics production processes, and copy writing; web design. Ability to: respond appropriately to inquiries; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with key media representatives, story sources, and co-workers; write speeches and narration in a manner that facilitates reading aloud; edit and proofread for accuracy and readability, cutting material/stories where needed; work independently and follow through on assignments with minimal direction; present difficult subjects so they can be understood by lay people; conceptualize publication needs and plan for articles and photo shoots; take quality photos; research information through records and people; interview and create rapport with interview subjects; interact diplomatically with the public in a high volume, continuous contact setting.

Recruiter Information: Darrell Morlan; darrell.morlan@admin.nv.gov

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.

Benefits

Benefits include:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees' Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication (Download PDF reader).
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of "standard" or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF) (Download PDF reader).

*** State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The following are legal holidays:

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in February................ Washington's Birthday

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day

June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day

July 4.................................................. Independence Day

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day

November 11...................................... Veterans' Day

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day

December 25...................................... Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.2