Community Risk Reduction Specialist - City of Mount Vernon (Job)
Description:
- Conducts fire and life safety inspections as assigned, supporting the department’s community risk reduction goals and ensuring compliance with applicable codes and standards.
- Investigates and helps resolve community concerns related to fire and life safety conditions, collaborating with residents and businesses to achieve voluntary compliance whenever possible.
- Provides clear information to applicants, contractors, and the general public on permitting processes, plan requirements, and fire and life safety expectations.
- Supports operational personnel by providing training, guidance, and resources related to fire and life safety codes, emerging risks, and community risk reduction practices.
- Assists with researching, developing, and implementing policies, standards, and codes that enhance community safety and risk-reduction initiatives.
- Identifies community education needs through data analysis, incident trends, and partner feedback; develops, delivers, and evaluates fire and life safety education programs for schools, residents, and vulnerable populations.
- Produces and updates educational presentations, outreach tools, and written materials tailored to diverse audiences and evolving community needs.
- Plans, coordinates, and participates in major public education efforts—including safety campaigns, community events, and Fire Prevention Week—and provides fire extinguisher training, station tours, and other interactive learning opportunities.
- Schedules and delivers children’s fire and life safety programs using department mobile or interactive teaching platforms.
- Recruits, trains, and supports department personnel who assist with delivering educational programs and community outreach presentations.
- Researches, develops, evaluates, and refines education and outreach programs, policies, and practices, ensuring alignment with community risk reduction strategies, under the guidance of the fire marshal.
- Assists with planning, tracking, and monitoring the community education program budget; provides input on resource needs and recommended purchases.
- Identifies and pursues grant or alternative funding opportunities to support educational and outreach programs, including preparation of proposals and related documentation.
- Maintains accurate and compliant records, reports, and educational program documentation within established retention systems.
- Provides periodic administrative assistance, including public interaction, call routing, document processing, and use of standard office systems, to support division operations.
- Processes and archives medical and incident-related documents, including run reports and HIPAA-related forms, in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Updates business occupancy information, tracks inspection progress, and prepares periodic reports that support risk assessment and program planning.
- Develops and delivers specialized safety and preparedness presentations to City leadership, partner agencies, and community organizations.
- Supports the department’s involvement in juvenile fire-risk interventions, including receiving specialized training, providing education to youth and families, and serving as a liaison with regional programs, counselors, or other professionals should a formal program be expanded or established.
- Assists with fire origin and cause investigations as assigned, with a focus on identifying risk factors and supporting community-based prevention strategies.
- Provides CPR instruction and related life-safety training to community members and City personnel.
Skills/Eligibility:
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Education, Training, and Experience Guidelines
Associate’s degree in in communications, education, emergency management, public relations or a related field; AND two years of experience in fire education, community organizing or other related area OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
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Knowledge of:
- Principles and practices of community risk reduction, public education, and behavior-change strategies across diverse populations.
- Fire and life safety codes, standards, regulations, and applicable local ordinances, including their application in educational and outreach contexts.
- Basic construction methods, building systems, and fire protection features relevant to inspections, safety assessments, and public education messaging.
- Instructional design methods, lesson planning, curriculum development, and effective presentation techniques for varied audiences.
- Public health education principles, community engagement models, and approaches to working with vulnerable or high-risk populations.
- Microsoft Office and modern productivity tools, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and digital platforms used for outreach, data tracking, and program evaluation.
- Use of audiovisual equipment, digital media, and communication platforms to develop and deliver public education materials.
- Program evaluation techniques, including data analysis, performance measurement, and continuous improvement methods.
Skill in:
- Delivering engaging fire, life safety, and community risk reduction presentations to diverse audiences, including residents, businesses, educators, and school-age children.
- Designing and producing accessible educational materials—digital and print—including graphics, handouts, media content, and visual aids that support public outreach.
- Providing leadership, guidance, and support to educators, school administrators, and community partners in implementing fire and life safety curricula and risk reduction programs.
- Communicating effectively with City leadership, partner agencies, and community stakeholders on matters related to safety, preparedness, and community risk trends.
- Interpreting and applying fire codes, standards, and ordinances, and supporting compliance through education, collaboration, and when necessary, enforcement.
- Reading, understanding, and evaluating construction documents and plans as they relate to fire and life safety features.
- Interacting with the public, City staff, and partner organizations in a professional, tactful, and culturally responsive manner.
- Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal teams, community groups, and external agencies.
- Organizing, prioritizing, and managing work assignments to meet deadlines and support multiple concurrent projects.
- Managing multiple tasks simultaneously in a dynamic environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
- Entering and managing data accurately within records systems, digital platforms, and reporting tools.
- Preparing clear, concise, and well-organized communication materials, reports, and documentation.
- Communicating effectively in both verbal and written formats across a variety of settings and audience types.