Senior Communication Planner, Grant Services Specialist III; NCS - Baltimore Fire Department

Job Summary

The Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management is seeking a Senior Communications Planner to join its planning team. Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in communications, Emergency Management, Public Health, Public Administration, or a related field with 4 years of relevant experience.

• Collaborates with emergency operations teams, City and State agencies, community partners, and the media to foster information sharing and ensure consistent, accessible, and culturally inclusive communication across platforms.
• Manages social media platforms, the Everbridge emergency alert system, and the OEM website to ensure timely, accurate, and updated information dissemination.
• Drafts and develops talking points, press releases, presentations, and reports to support consistent and effective communication during City events or emergencies.
• Designs graphics and captures photography to enhance public information campaigns and communication efforts.
• Participates in and coordinates Joint Information Center (JIC) and Joint Information System (JIS) activities to ensure unified messaging across agencies.
• Trains staff and partners on communication protocols, social media management, and the use of emergency alert systems.
• Participates in local regional and state working groups.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications, Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Public Health, Emergency Management, Planning, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience: At least 2 years of experience in public communications, public policy and administration, public safety, emergency management, or related fields; excellent analytical, written, oral, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.

Advanced degree or certification in Communications, Public Administration, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, Public Health Preparedness, or a related field; 4+ years of professional experience, including emergency management, crisis communication, or public information roles; background in managing communication teams, interagency coordination, and public outreach initiatives. Completion of FEMA Incident Command System Training, including introductory (100, 200, 700, 800) and Public Information Officer focused courses.

• Expertise in emergency operations, crisis communication strategies, and coordination of messaging during emergencies.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills to engage with agencies, partners, and the public ensuring consistent, accessible, and culturally inclusive communication.
• Public and media relations skills with experience managing social media platforms, emergency alert systems, and strategic engagement.
• Ability to draft talking points, press releases, presentations, and reports.
• Proficiency with emergency communication platforms, website content management software, graphic design tools, and other digital communication technologies.
• Understanding of culturally inclusive communication practices tailored for diverse populations.
• Competency in graphic design, photography, and multimedia storytelling to enhance public information campaigns.
• Familiarity with Joint Information Center (JIC) and Joint Information System (JIS) protocols.
• Public speaking, training facilitation, and effective communication protocols.
• Flexibility and the ability to respond effectively to evolving situations.
• Experience designing mechanisms for collecting and evaluating information.
• Skill in organizing and facilitating surveys, focus groups, community events, and other public forums.
• Ability to handle emergencies or crises with calm, tact, and dispatch.
• Ability to promote program activities and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Background Check:
Eligible candidates under final consideration for positions of trust will be required to complete a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint authorization.

Probation:
All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a mandatory six‑month probation.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Do not attach your request for accommodation to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER