Publicity and Media Officer
Eastbourne Headquarters, 37 hours

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) has an exciting opportunity for a Publicity and Media Officer, to devise and implement internal and external communications initiatives and ensure continual improvements in proactively promoting both the Service and Authority. Specific responsibilities will include:

Specific duties include:

• Establishing, maintaining and developing effective working relations with the media to ensure that ESFRS is at forefront of media issues.
• Editing and producing a monthly internal magazine working alongside service managers.
• Attending incidents as required to providing media liaison, setting up media conferences and interviews, liaising with other emergency services and agency press officers.
• Identifying and maximising the potential of possible media opportunities with community fire safety initiatives, recruitment, careers events and other events.
• Monitoring media coverage of ESFRS and the Fire Authority and identifying any issues which require attention.
• Building effective links across the organisation, the Fire Authority and key external partners.

The successful applicant will need an up-to-date knowledge of both national and local issues affecting the Fire service, experience in press/publicity/internal communications or public relations environment and a relevant professional qualification in any of these related areas. They will need the ability to identify and manage critical and highly confidential issues as well as having a flexible approach to their working environment.

Candidates will demonstrate work-based experience of professional writing skills which can be adapted for a variety of purposes, they will also need excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills. The postholder requires a full valid driving licence and should be prepared to work out of normal office hours on occasions.

For an application form and information pack please telephone the Recruitment Answerphone on 01323 462349 stating clearly your name, address and details of the post for which you are applying or alternatively e-mail personnel@esfrs.org.

APPLICATIONS ON OFFICIAL FORM ONLY TO:
Personnel Services Department
East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters
20 Upperton Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex BN21 1EU

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is an Equal Opportunities employer. It aims to ensure that no job applicant receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of race, colour, age, nationality, citizenship, ethnic or national origin, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, or medical condition, including people living with HIV or AIDS.