OPS Public Information Specialist II - 77902476

State of Florida

3d

About The Position

The Public Information Specialist II – Outreach and Education Specialist leads the development and implementation of public outreach and education initiatives for the Invasive Plant Management Section (IPMS). The incumbent is responsible for creating and delivering programs, materials, and partnerships that increase public awareness, understanding, and engagement with the Section’s invasive plant management efforts across Florida. The role also involves a strong creative and digital design component, including the development of visually compelling educational and promotional materials, multimedia content, and online resources that effectively communicate the Section’s mission and activities to diverse audiences. The successful applicant will be enthusiastic, self-motivated, creative, and capable of independently managing and executing projects with minimal supervision.

Requirements

• A high school diploma and five years of professional experience in a closely related graphic design related program is required.
• A Bachelor of Science degree in a relevant field can substitute for four of the five years of experience.
• Proven experience in public relations, communications, or related fields, with a focus on environmental, governmental, or public outreach.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management skills and ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proficiency in media relations, website management, content creation, and social media tools.
• Collaborative mindset with strong problem-solving abilities.
• Professional and courteous interaction with the public, stakeholders, and media.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise correspondence, reports, and official documents.
• Knowledge of administrative procedures, systems, and best practices.
• Ability to understand and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to plant management.
• Skilled in planning and facilitating public communications, media events, and stakeholder meetings.
• Must possess a valid Florida driver’s license and be available for occasional overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with SharePoint, GovDelivery, or other communication platforms is a plus.
• Experience working with the media to craft press releases, handle inquiries, or manage media outreach, especially in the context of government or environmental sectors.
• Familiarity with ADA compliance and accessibility standards for public communications.
• Familiarity with native and/or invasive plant species.
• Proficiency in design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or Canva for creating visually engaging materials like infographics, posters, and social media content.
• Experience operating drones for capturing visual content related to environmental or outreach projects.

Responsibilities

• Develops, produces, and maintains educational and informational materials for a variety of audiences, and manages updates to the Section’s outreach-related web content and partner social media channels in accordance with agency branding and communications standards.
• Supports the implementation of statewide outreach campaigns by assisting with material production, distribution, and evaluation of effectiveness, and ensures outreach products remain accurate, timely, and relevant.
• Works closely with Section biologists, program managers, and communications staff to translate technical and scientific information into clear, accessible content for public and stakeholder audiences.
• Serves as a liaison with local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to support outreach coordination and collaboration.
• Provides internal communications, including email updates and a Section newsletter, to keep Section and Division staff informed of outreach activities and accomplishments.
• Represents the Section at meetings, conferences, and outreach events, reviews outreach materials for clarity and accuracy, tracks outreach metrics and feedback, and coordinates with the FWC Office of Community Relations, Division staff, and the IPMS communications and public affairs specialist to ensure consistent and unified messaging.

Benefits

• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan - mandatory
• Workers’ Compensation - mandatory
• Reemployment Assistance (Unemployment Compensation) - mandatory
• Potential for participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements. Consult with  Divison Human Resource to determine eligibility.)
• Deferred Compensation - voluntary
• Employee Assistance Program – voluntary

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees