Public Information Officer (PIO)

Purpose

Serves as the public voice of Grounded Boots Relief, ensuring clear, accurate, and timely communication with the public, partners, and media. The PIO keeps communities informed about what the organization is doing before, during, and after disaster response operations.

Core Responsibilities

• Deliver clear public updates about Grounded Boots Relief operations and activities
• Communicate mission progress during deployments across social media, video updates, and public messaging
• Maintain consistent engagement with the public during both disaster response and blue sky periods
• Coordinate messaging with the Incident Commander and Planning Section to ensure accuracy
• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the organization when communicating with media outlets
• Capture and share the story of volunteers, operations, and community impact
• Maintain public trust by presenting information professionally and responsibly
• Assist with messaging for events, volunteer recruitment, and community engagement

Qualifications and Expectations

• Strong on-camera presence and confidence speaking to a public audience
• Comfortable delivering updates through video, interviews, and live messaging
• Ability to communicate clearly under both calm and high pressure conditions
• ICS 100 and ICS 200 certifications required
• PIO Awareness Course (we can facilitate this training if you don't already have this)
• Experience in communications, media, marketing, or public engagement preferred
• Bilingual communication skills are a major bonus
• Willingness to participate in ongoing public messaging during non-disaster periods
• Availability to deploy when possible within Grounded Boots Relief's 250 mile response range is strongly preferred

Role Overview

This role is not for the camera shy. The Public Information Officer represents the organization to the outside world and helps maintain public engagement with our mission. The ideal candidate is comfortable speaking publicly, confident on camera, and capable of translating field activity into clear updates that keep communities informed and invested in the work being done.

During deployments, the PIO helps the public see the impact of the volunteers on the ground. During blue sky periods, they help maintain visibility and momentum so that when disaster strikes, the community already knows who Grounded Boots Relief is and what we do.