Fire Community Education Specialist 1, 2 or 3

Fire Community Education Specialist 1, 2 or 3

Salary

$67,455.96 - $80,277.86 Annually

Location

Fire Admin, 314 W. Dayton Street, Madison, WI

Job Type

PERMANENT FULL TIME

Job Number

2026-00312

Department

Fire

Opening Date

10/05/2026

Closing Date

10/20/2026 11:59 PM Central

Comp. Group/Range

CG 16, Ranges 13, 16 or 19

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

This is responsible paraprofessional work in the development and implementation of the Madison Fire Department's Community Education, Community Outreach and Community Risk Reduction Program. The work is assigned within the Fire Prevention Division of the Madison Fire Department (MFD) and involves collaboration with fire department operations, prevention, emergency management, and public information. The development and implementation of programs will be driven by local data to address the current risks and hazards to which City of Madison residents are exposed. Under the general supervision of the Fire Marshal, employees exercise judgment and discretion in the strategic implementation of assigned responsibilities.

The levels of the Fire Community Education Specialist series are structured below. This series is structured to provide for career progression from Fire Community Education Specialist 1 to 2 based on personal development. Progression to the Fire Community Education Specialist 3 (leadworker) position is accomplished by competition or through a position study. Initial placement in the Fire Community Education Specialist 1 - 3 class series is determined for each hire based on their training and experience at time of hire.

Fire Community Education Specialist 1 (CG16/R13, $67,455.96):

This is entry level fire and life safety, and public and community education work. The work is initially performed under supervision, but employees are expected to work with increasing independence as they gain familiarity with related methodologies, techniques and processes.

Fire Community Education Specialist 2 (CG16/R16, $72,561.32):

This is journey level fire and life safety, and public and community education work characterized by a fully developed knowledge of the applicable methodologies, fire and life safety techniques and principles, fire codes, fire ground operations, media and public relations, educational methods and techniques, and other related procedures and techniques. The work is performed with significant independence and requires judgment and discretion in carrying out assigned activities.

Fire Community Education Specialist 3 (CG16/R19, $80,277.86):

This is advanced-level fire and life safety, and public and community education work and involves staff and program leadership and coordinative responsibilities. The work includes performing the more complex assignments and is characterized by programmatic responsibility.

IMPORTANT: THERE TWO SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY QUESTIONS ON THE JOB POSTING.

YOU MUST ATTACH RESPONSES TO THE ESSAY QUESTIONS IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION.

(To view the question, click on the supplemental question tab OR view the bottom section of the job bulletin)

APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WITHOUT ATTACHED ESSAY RESPONSES WILL IMMEDIATELY BE ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION.

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn't match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

Develop and implement fire and life safety programs

• Review local data to identify areas where training and education could improve safety, reduce injuries/death, and reduce the reliance on emergency response
• Evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of existing education programs
• Recommend, initiate and coordinate community public safety events
• Participate and coordinate with community partners with development and delivery of safety and prevention programs
• Responsible for the development and implementation of new fire and life safety training programs
• Provide community education on emerging hazards and trends to promote awareness and resiliency.

Training and Education

• Educate and prepare MFD members on fire and life safety curriculum, delivery techniques, and consistent messaging
• Represent the City in the development of regional drills and exercises and participate in such drills
• Maintain and update knowledge of fire causes, deaths and injury statistics on a local, regional, and national level
• Identify a wide array of community risks and factors based on data and fact
• Maintain knowledge and skills on contemporary educational and teaching methods

Assist the Fire Public Information Officer and Occupant Services Unit

• Participate in the Occupant Services Unit on-call rotation
• Assist the Public Information Officer in responding to requests for information from the media, public, or others
• Present fire and life safety messages on-air in the studio or in the field for both radio and TV
• Prepare news releases, flyers, brochures, information packets and public service announcements to media, external agencies and the public.

Administrative Functions

• Write grant submittals for funding
• Recommend goals and objectives for the community education unit
• Prepare reports and provide data to interested/affected parties.

Perform related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience applying the following:

• Community and media relations principles, practices, techniques, and procedures.

• Educational principles, practices, techniques and procedures.

• Familiarity with the following:

• Computer software applicable to the duties of the position, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.

• Data interpretation and reporting.

OR

• One (1) year of education, training, or media/community public relations work involving safety, health, or similar technical program areas.
• Two (2) years of college level coursework in public relations, communication, education, marketing, journalism, or a related area.

If an applicant does not possess the specific requirements outlined above, HR will review the application materials to determine if the applicant possesses equivalent experience.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, please see the class specifications for Fire Community Education Specialist 1, 2and 3.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver's license
• Employees will be expected to travel throughout the City to various locations to conduct presentations and educational activities.
• Employees may be expected to work on-call for after-hours duties as a team member of the Occupant Services Unit.
• This position requires work outdoors in all types of weather including responding to emergency scenes (for media purposes) under varying environmental and terrain conditions.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.
• Physical strength and agility to transport, display, and demonstrate personal fire safety equipment, training materials and props, and AV equipment.
• Ability to stand or sit at a computer workstation and desk for long hours.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including computer, phone, copier, etc.

The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.

Compensation

The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current salary schedules for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.

Benefits

The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our website for more information.

Leave

Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.

0-3 years 10 work days of vacation

After 3 years 12-1/2 days

After 7 years 15 days

After 11 years 17-1/2 days

After 15 years 20 days

After 19 years 25 days

After 27 years 27 days

Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.

Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve).

Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.

Retirement

The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Insurance

The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
• Long Term Care Insurance

Other Benefits

The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:

• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training

01

Please share college level coursework youve completed in public relations, communication, education, marketing, journalism, or a related area. (Note: coursework is not a requirement)

02

Do you have prior experience in Fire-Service based community education and/or Fire Service based community risk reduction? (Note: prior experience of this type is not required)

• Yes
• No

03

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY--YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS AS PART OF YOUR APPLICATION. You can answer the questions using a word processing program and attach as a .docx or .pdf file. You must attach the document in the "Attachments" section of the application or you will not receive further consideration for this position. Your responses will be evaluated on your writing ability including: spelling, grammar and your ability to express your thoughts in a logical fashion. By checking this box, you acknowledge the above and understand that your response is required and failure to attach your essay response will immediately eliminate you from consideration.

• AGREED

04

Please describe your education, training and experience that make you a top candidate for this position.

• My one (1) page response is attached in the Attachment section of my application.

05

Community members have diverse backgrounds and demographics and may have different learning styles as well as different risk potential to various hazards. Please share an example of when you had to develop training or messaging on a topic and had to adjust your delivery of the information to meet different learning styles and audiences. What factors did you consider and how did you present the information?

• My one (1) response is attached in the Attachment section of my application.

06

Please indicate if you are fluent in reading, writing and/or speaking in another language beyond English.

Required Question

Employer Madison, City of (WI)

Address 215 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.

MMB Rm 261

MADISON, Wisconsin, 53703

Phone (608) 266-4615

Website http://www.cityofmadison.com/jobs