Safety Communications Manager
About The Position
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) Traffic & Safety Division is seeking an experienced and collaborative Safety Communications Manager to lead and coordinate internal and external communications for programs administered by the Behavioral Safety Team. The role oversees end-to-end messaging and outreach for initiatives including Zero Fatalities, Truck Smart, and Safe Routes Utah. The manager serves as the team’s primary communications hub, managing relationships with external PR/media contractors, aligning messaging with the UDOT Communications team, and coordinating with agency partners, region liaisons, and internal divisions. The position provides communications support to the Traffic and Safety Division and ensures campaign messaging is consistent with program objectives and statewide UDOT goals. This full-time position is located at the Calvin Rampton Building, 4501 South 2700 West, Taylorsville, Utah. Applicants must successfully pass a criminal history check. The position is classified as Schedule Code B – Competitive Career Service and has a 12-month probationary period. The salary range is $32.56–$57.57; the posting does not specify the pay period.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field; or four or more years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience totaling four years.
- Successfully pass a criminal history check.
Nice To Haves
- Outstanding interpersonal skills to build alignment across internal divisions, regional liaisons, and state agency partners.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated success in project and contractor management and oversight.
- Media relations and press/event management experience.
- High-level quality control skills with sharp attention to editorial, visual, and narrative detail.
- Decisive leadership, clear communication, strong organizational and project management skills, and passion for public safety.
Responsibilities
- Use a data-informed approach to identify key messages and target audiences.
- Oversee internal and external communications for behavioral safety programs, ensuring consistent tone, mission alignment, and strategic clarity.
- Lead behavioral safety communications planning and tailor messages to audiences across Utah.
- Work with PR/media contractors to measure and report campaign analytics, PR reach, media impressions, and audience engagement.
- Provide communications and messaging support for the Traffic and Safety Division.
- Serve as the primary manager and point of contact for the contracted PR/media agency.
- Direct and coordinate contractor deliverables for press events, content placements, social media campaigns, earned media opportunities, and broadcast efforts.
- Ensure contractor-produced visual assets, press kits, and digital content align with program goals and standards.
- Direct contractor work and ensure creative assets, media placements, and press campaigns meet quality standards and are delivered on scope, time, and budget.
- Inform and coordinate with the UDOT Communications team on campaigns, public announcements, and major communications tasks.
- Maintain alignment between Behavioral Safety messaging and broader UDOT statewide goals and news releases.
- Oversee and coordinate with the Zero Fatalities communications working group to ensure consistent, supported public messaging across agencies.
- Coordinate messaging, campaign rollouts, and localized outreach with Region Liaisons and across UDOT Divisions and Regions.
- Collaborate with agency partners, including the Department of Public Safety, law enforcement, Highway Patrol, local school districts, and safety advocates, to deliver unified behavioral safety campaigns.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
