There is currently one vacancy in the Social Services Assignment; however, this recruitment will be used to create an eligible list to fill possible future vacancies in other assignments within Mesa Fire and Medical Department.

A Fire and Life Safety Education Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing a variety of public education and volunteer programs for the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. An employee in this class manages and coordinates educational programs, special events, and/or volunteer programs. A Fire and Life Safety Education Specialist interfaces with the media regarding these programs and other City safety education related issues. An incumbent in this class serves as an information resource to the community. As related to program areas, a Fire and Life Safety Education Specialist may train and direct the Fire and Life Safety Education Assistant class and may oversee the work of volunteers.

Social Services Assignment: A Fire and Life Safety Education Specialist assigned to Social Services and Home Safety Education Programs provides education to citizens to help them improve their lifestyle, primarily for older adults and other at-risk communities. Duties include: conducting home visits and in-home assessments, providing education and resources to help citizens build and maintain behaviors consistent with a healthy lifestyle, following up with citizens via telephone and partnering with other agencies involved with citizens’ care, and working closely with Fire Operations to encourage citizens to utilize available community resources in lieu of heavy reliance on the 911 system. Duties may also include: gathering, preparing, and interpreting related data.

Duties of the Fire and Life Safety Education Specialist class also include: writing program policies and training manuals; designing, writing, and producing brochures, visual aids, and other program documents; providing instruction and training to agencies and other organizations on injury prevention and life safety skills; preparing and delivering oral presentations in front of public groups; coordinating, implementing, evaluating, and revising curriculum; recruiting and training volunteers; preparing newsletters, maintaining statistics, and preparing reports; monitoring expenditures for the programs budget; and acting as a representative of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department on boards, task forces, or committees related to the assigned program areas. This class performs related duties as required.

The Fire and Life Safety Education Specialist is a civilian classification. The part-time classification has been designated as a non-classified, non-merit system, at-will position. An employee in this class may provide support to the Fire Chief for coordinating public meetings and special events, and implementing public information strategies to project a positive image of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department and the City. This class is distinguished from the Fire and Life Safety Education Administrator class by the latter's overall responsibility for coordination of public education activities, and the supervision and management of a unit within the Mesa Fire and Medical Department. This class is supervised by the Fire and Life Safety Education Administrator, who reviews work through periodic conferences, review of final products, and results achieved. Employees in this class may be required to work evenings and/or weekends for events. Program assignments, work schedules, and locations are subject to change. This class is FLSA exempt-administrative. (Part-time employees in the classification are FLSA nonexempt.)

Employee Values:  All employees of the City of Mesa are expected to uphold and exhibit the City's shared employee values of Knowledge, Respect, and Integrity.

Minimum Qualifications Required. Any combination of training, education, and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Education, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Business Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, or related field. Considerable (3 - 5 years) experience in progressively responsible public safety or community education programs, social work, counseling, public relations, or marketing involving public contact. Some (6 months-1 year) experience and/or training in public speaking. 

Special Requirements. Must possess a valid Class D Arizona Driver's License by hire or promotion date. Child Passenger Safety certification is required within one month of hire or promotion (as certification is available).

Substance Abuse Testing. Due to the safety and/or security sensitive nature of this classification, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement alcohol, drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy and procedures.