Communications Director

State of Montana • Helena, MT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Communications Director to lead its Office of Strategic Communications and guide how the department informs and engages the public. The role turns complex issues into clear messages, advises agency leadership, and directs communications on matters of high public interest.

As a member of the Director’s Office, the Communications Director guides department-wide communications strategy, marketing, and brand management. The role oversees external materials and responses to inquiries, develops talking points for the director and deputy director, and works closely with division administrators. The director leads agency-wide virtual meetings and manages a team of two public relations professionals and one executive administrative assistant. The position also directs communications and marketing strategies for issues of high public interest or controversy, reviews external materials, and is responsible for communications planning and brand management.

The position is based in Helena, Montana. Frequent travel is required to attend meetings, conferences, and events as a representative of the Department. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver’s license with fewer than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months is required. Fingerprinting and a background check are also required. The State of Montana does not sponsor work authorization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Three years of job-related progressively responsible experience; equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
• Knowledge of communication methods and techniques for establishing cooperative working relationships.
• Knowledge of identifying, analyzing, and gathering pertinent information to satisfy communication needs.
• Knowledge of government operations, public administration, and intergovernmental coordination.
• Ability to prepare press releases, speeches, marketing materials, or other materials that effectively convey accurate information to the public.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, leadership, legislators, tribes, federal partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Ability to build cooperative relationships with partners.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States; the State of Montana does not sponsor.
• Valid driver’s license with fewer than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.
• Fingerprinting and background check required.
• Frequent travel required to attend meetings, conferences, and events as a representative of the Department.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in natural resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Office of Strategic Communications and guide how the department informs and engages the public.
• Advise agency leadership and direct communications on matters of high public interest.
• Guide department-wide communications strategy, marketing, and brand management.
• Oversee external materials and responses to inquiries.
• Develop talking points for the director and deputy director.
• Work closely with division administrators.
• Lead agency-wide virtual meetings.
• Manage a team of two public relations professionals and one executive administrative assistant.
• Develop communications and marketing strategies for issues of high public interest or controversy.
• Review all external materials for the department and set department guidance for marketing and communications.
• Represent the Department at meetings, conferences, and events.

Benefits

• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; vacation leave increases with years of service.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Access to free employee medical clinics and telehealth.
• Retirement plans, including Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plans, plus an optional 457b Plan.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility may be available.
• Longevity pay with continued state service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director