About the Role
Job Description:
Position Summary
The Public Information Officer (PIO) is an employee of Washington County Ambulance District (WCAD) and serves in a shared communications and public affairs capacity supporting both Washington County Ambulance District and the Missouri Rural Health Transformation (RHT) EMS & Mobile Integrated Healthcare-Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP) Ecosystem. The PIO is appointed by the Chief Executive Officer and reports to the Division Chief | Regional Transformation.
The position is structured with a time allocation of:
0.5 FTE - Missouri RHT EMS & MIH-CP Ecosystem
0.5 FTE - Washington County Ambulance District
The PIO serves as a lead resource for public-facing communication, media relations, strategic messaging, digital communications, community engagement, and public affairs. The position is responsible for developing and delivering clear, accurate, timely, and mission-driven communications that strengthen public understanding, stakeholder engagement, and trust.
Reports To
Division Chief | Regional Transformation
Core Responsibilities
Missouri RHT EMS & MIH-CP Ecosystem | 0.5 FTE
Strategic Communications
Support the development and execution of a coordinated communications strategy for the Missouri RHT EMS & MIH-CP Ecosystem.
Develop messaging that clearly communicates the goals, activities, progress, and impact of rural health transformation initiatives involving EMS and MIH-CP.
Translate complex clinical, operational, financial, technical, and policy concepts into clear and accessible communications for diverse audiences.
Develop communications that demonstrate the role of EMS and MIH-CP within an integrated rural healthcare delivery system.
Support consistent messaging across participating organizations and stakeholder groups.
Identify and develop opportunities to communicate program successes, innovation, patient impact, partnerships, and system transformation.
Stakeholder & Partner Communications
Support communication and engagement with EMS agencies, healthcare organizations, community-based organizations, government partners, associations, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
Develop communication materials for meetings, presentations, stakeholder updates, conferences, and public forums.
Assist with regular ecosystem communications, updates, newsletters, announcements, and informational materials.
Support stakeholder awareness of opportunities, milestones, resources, and initiatives within the ecosystem.
Promote collaboration and information sharing among participating organizations.
Public Affairs & External Relations
Support public affairs activities related to Missouri rural health transformation, EMS, MIH-CP, and integrated healthcare delivery.
Assist leadership with communications for policymakers, public officials, healthcare leaders, and other external stakeholders.
Develop briefing documents, talking points, presentations, fact sheets, reports, and other public affairs materials.
Support efforts to increase awareness and understanding of the value and impact of EMS and MIH-CP within Missouri's healthcare system.
Coordinate messaging with partner organizations when appropriate.
Storytelling & Impact Communication
Identify and develop stories demonstrating the impact of rural health transformation, EMS innovation, MIH-CP, and community-based care.
Highlight participating agencies, providers, programs, partnerships, and communities.
Develop content demonstrating measurable system and patient impact.
Support communications related to milestones, outcomes, implementation progress, and lessons learned.
Assist in positioning Missouri's EMS and MIH-CP initiatives as models for rural healthcare innovation.
Digital & Content Communications
Develop content for websites, social media, newsletters, presentations, reports, and other communication platforms.
Assist with management of digital communications associated with the ecosystem.
Maintain consistency in messaging, terminology, branding, and tone.
Monitor communication engagement and recommend opportunities for improvement.
Core Responsibilities
Washington County Ambulance District | 0.5 FTE
Media Relations & Public Information
Serve as a primary point of contact for media and public information inquiries as assigned.
Develop and distribute press releases, media statements, public advisories, announcements, and other public-facing communications.
Coordinate media engagement with District leadership.
Build and maintain professional relationships with local and regional media organizations.
Identify proactive opportunities to highlight District programs, personnel, partnerships, accomplishments, and community impact.
Maintain accurate and timely communication with the public.
Strategic Communications & Public Affairs
Support development and execution of the District's communications and public affairs strategy.
Align communications with organizational priorities and strategic initiatives.
Support messaging related to:
Mobile Integrated Healthcare and Community Paramedicine (MIH-CP)
Rural health transformation
EMS system development
Healthcare integration
Workforce development
Innovation and technology
Community health
Organizational growth
Translate complex clinical, operational, and policy initiatives into understandable public-facing communications.
Support positioning of Washington County Ambulance District as a leader in EMS, mobile healthcare, rural health, and healthcare system integration.
Crisis Communications & Incident Support
Function in a Public Information Officer or communications role during incidents under the Incident Command System (ICS), as assigned.
Coordinate public messaging with Incident Command, Emergency Management, public safety agencies, healthcare organizations, and other partners.
Ensure accurate, timely, coordinated, and unified messaging during critical incidents.
Support Joint Information System/Joint Information Center activities when appropriate.
Monitor public information and media activity during significant incidents.
Assist with rumor control, misinformation management, and public information flow.
Participate in after-action reviews related to communication effectiveness.
Digital Communications & Brand Management
Manage or support District communication platforms, including:
Social media
Website
Digital communications
Public information platforms
Maintain consistency in District branding, messaging, tone, and visual identity.
Develop content highlighting:
Patient-centered care
Employees and workforce recognition
Community engagement
Clinical excellence
Innovation
MIH-CP
Partnerships
Organizational and system impact
Monitor communication analytics and engagement.
Recommend adjustments to communication strategies based on performance and audience needs.
Community Engagement & Public Education
Coordinate community outreach, public education, and public information initiatives.
Strengthen relationships with local government, healthcare partners, schools, businesses, community organizations, and residents.
Represent the District at community meetings, events, public forums, and other engagements as assigned.
Support public education campaigns related to EMS, healthcare access, prevention, preparedness, and community health.
Assist with special events, community programs, and organizational outreach activities.
Internal Communications
Support internal communications across District divisions and departments.
Assist leadership with organizational announcements, strategic initiatives, employee communications, and change management.
Help ensure employees receive timely and accurate information regarding significant organizational developments.
Promote transparency, alignment, employee engagement, and organizational culture.
Shared Responsibilities
Executive & Strategic Communications
Develop executive-level communication materials including:
Presentations
Briefing documents
Talking points
Reports
Fact sheets
Infographics
Speeches and remarks
Stakeholder communications
Support executive messaging for public speaking, legislative engagement, media appearances, stakeholder meetings, and strategic initiatives.
Assist leadership in communicating complex or sensitive topics clearly and effectively.
Provide communications counsel and recommendations to leadership as appropriate.
Communications Planning & Coordination
Develop communication plans for major initiatives, announcements, events, programs, and organizational changes.
Maintain awareness of upcoming communication needs, deadlines, events, and stakeholder activities.
Coordinate communications among internal and external partners.
Ensure messaging is accurate, consistent, appropriately approved, and aligned with organizational priorities.
Maintain appropriate records of significant public communications.
Measurement & Continuous Improvement
Track communication activities, media coverage, digital engagement, and other relevant performance indicators.
Develop reports regarding communication reach and effectiveness as requested.
Identify opportunities to improve communication strategies, platforms, processes, and audience engagement.
Monitor trends in EMS, healthcare, rural health, public affairs, media, and digital communications that may affect communication strategy.
Special Considerations
In matters involving significant media attention, public concern, critical incidents, personnel matters, patient-related events, litigation or potential litigation, significant reputational risk, or other sensitive matters, the Chief Executive Officer shall be notified promptly with complete and accurate information.
Public statements regarding sensitive or significant matters shall be coordinated with executive leadership in accordance with Washington County Ambulance District policy and established communication protocols.
The PIO shall recognize the distinction between communications conducted on behalf of Washington County Ambulance District and communications conducted in support of the Missouri RHT EMS & MIH-CP Ecosystem and shall ensure appropriate coordination, authorization, attribution, and branding.
Employment & Work Conditions
Employer: Washington County Ambulance District
Position Allocation:
50% Missouri RHT EMS & MIH-CP Ecosystem
50% Washington County Ambulance District
Duty Hours: Vary based upon organizational needs, meetings, events, incidents, and communication requirements.
Work Location: Hybrid; primarily remote-based with routine field, District, community, partner, and executive engagement as required.
Travel: Travel will be required to meet the needs of the district and up to 50% of the time.
The allocation of responsibilities may fluctuate based on workload, incidents, major initiatives, grant or program requirements, and organizational priorities while maintaining the overall intent of the shared position.
Other duties may be assigned at the discretion of the Chief Executive Officer or designated leadership.
Employees appointed to this position are subject to Washington County Ambulance District employment policies and applicable probationary requirements.
Requirements
Qualifications
Required
Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and executive communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
Ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with executive leadership and external partners.
Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment, professionalism, and confidentiality.
Ability to communicate effectively during high-visibility, rapidly evolving, or high-pressure situations.
Proficiency with social media, digital communication platforms, and contemporary communication practices.
Ability to develop professional written materials including press releases, reports, presentations, public statements, and briefing documents.
Preferred
Experience in communications, public information, public affairs, public relations, marketing, journalism, media, healthcare communications, or a related field.
Experience working with EMS, healthcare, public safety, emergency management, government, or community-based organizations.
Familiarity with the Incident Command System and the role of the Public Information Officer.
Knowledge of EMS operations, MIH-CP, rural healthcare, population health, or healthcare system integration.
Experience with graphic design, photography, videography, website management, or digital content development.
Public education or community engagement experience.
Associate degree preferred; bachelor's degree highly desirable in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Public Administration, Healthcare Administration, Marketing, Emergency Management, or a related field.
Missouri Paramedic, RN, EMT, or other healthcare/public safety experience is beneficial but not required unless otherwise established by the District.
Position Impact
The Public Information Officer plays an important role in shaping how Washington County Ambulance District and the Missouri RHT EMS & MIH-CP Ecosystem are understood by the public, healthcare partners, EMS agencies, community organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
The position supports transparency, public trust, stakeholder engagement, organizational growth, rural health transformation, and the advancement of an integrated and patient-centered healthcare system.
Through effective communication and storytelling, the PIO helps demonstrate the value of EMS not only as an emergency response system, but as an essential component of a broader healthcare delivery system capable of connecting patients with the Right Care | Right Place | Right Time.
Essential Duties & Expectations
Maintain awareness of District operations and major ecosystem activities relevant to assigned communication responsibilities.
Communicate professionally with interagency partners, healthcare organizations, government representatives, community stakeholders, media, and the public.
Attend meetings, events, conferences, community engagements, and other activities as required.
Participate in planning meetings and strategic initiatives.
Maintain confidentiality of protected, privileged, personnel, patient, and sensitive organizational information.
Follow applicable HIPAA requirements, District policies, communication protocols, and legal requirements.
Maintain availability to support significant incidents or urgent public information needs when required.
Perform additional duties as assigned by Washington County Ambulance District leadership.