Public Information Officer - Communications

Texas Department of Transportation•Austin, TX

About The Position

Serves as a spokesperson for a district on a variety of sensitive and complex issues. Serves as a district liaison to the print and broadcast media, and the public. Reports to the Public Information Office Branch Manager. Work requires extensive contact with governmental agencies and private entities. Employees at this level establish their own work plan and priorities to meet set objectives. Issues are rarely referred to the supervisor but are handled at the occurrence. Public Information Officer III Performs various public information duties. Writes news releases and develops posts for social media. Attends public meetings, coordinates with media, organizes special activities, such as road opening ceremonies or VIP visits. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor. Public Information Officer IV Performs various public information duties. Writes news releases and develops posts for social media. Attends public meetings, coordinates with media, organizes special activities, such as road opening ceremonies or VIP visits. Employees at this level perform work independently on assignments; however, all unusual issues are referred to the supervisor.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Communications, English, Public Relations, or related field. Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year per year basis.
Public Information Offer III - 4 years Public Relations, Communications, or related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent)
Public Information Offer IV - 5 years Public Relations, Communications, or related experience (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent)
Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.
Policies and procedures used by the communications media
Speaking to present images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding and keep the group focused
Public relations for maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups, both internal and external
The use of audio-visual equipment
Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs
Standing prolonged periods of time
Repetitive Motion-substantial movements of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading.
Must pass a drug test prior to employment for safety impact positions.
This is a Safety Impact position and will be subject to random drug testing.

Responsibilities

Video Storytelling: Produce engaging videos that tell the story of our transportation projects, from construction updates to success stories, creating compelling visual narratives that resonate with the public.
Social Media Guru: Keep our social media audience informed and engaged, leveraging platforms to build excitement around our initiatives and address customer inquiries and concerns.
Customer Service Extraordinaire: Provide top-notch customer service, responding to inquiries, feedback, and concerns from the public in a timely and empathetic manner, ensuring a positive transportation experience for all.
Content Creation: Write captivating press releases, stakeholder emails and newsletters that convey complex transportation information in an easily digestible manner for the public.
Community Engagement: Plan and execute public events and workshops to involve the community in transportation decision-making processes.
Crisis Management: Be prepared to address public relations challenges and develop strategic communication plans to handle unexpected situations effectively.
Collaborative Team Player: Work closely with various internal departments, external partners, and stakeholders to gather information and insights for informative content creation.
Data-Driven Insights: Utilize data analytics to measure the effectiveness of communication strategies and make data-driven adjustments to enhance outreach efforts.
Graphic Design: Basic graphic design skills for creating visually appealing materials such as infographics and flyers.
Innovative Thinker: Stay up to date with industry trends and explore new and creative ways to engage the public and promote our transportation projects.