PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - 55000364

Requisition No: 843027 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - 55000364

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 55000364 

Salary:  $49,782.18 - $64,424.00 

Posting Closing Date: 12/31/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

426 / PUBLIC INFORMATION

ANTICIPATED VACANCY / OPEN COMPETITIVE

CAREER SERVICE

CONTACT PERSON:  Alia Chanel

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS:  Alia.Chanel@dot.state.fl.us

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  You may be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.  QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmative Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided.  Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office located at 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, or call (850) 414-5300 for assistance.  

POSITION DESCRIPTION: Responds to external inquiries from the media and the public concerning all facets of District operations, exercising judgment in handling inquiries. This includes researching and responding to telephone, electronic mail, and written inquiries from the general public regarding the Department’s activities. In the absence of the Public Information Director, the Public Information Specialist will serve as the District Spokesperson on a variety of transportation related issues. Stays current on new uses of communications technologies.

Assists the Public Information Director in preparation of materials and information for dissemination to the public. Designs and disseminates a variety of electronic and printed media to communicate and promote the District. Prepares news releases, fact sheets, media alerts, and lane closure information for the public and the media. Maintain media contact lists, project files and news clip/files. Assists in disseminating information for local and statewide education/safety programs, including utilizing social media. Responsible for writing and posting safety related and other transportation information on social media.

Reviews, edits, and approves consultant news releases, brochures, fact sheets, and other material that will be distributed to the public. Edits communications materials written by employees and ensures all communications adhere to the organization’s style guide. Assists in the preparation, production, and dissemination of materials for the District’s employees. Responsible for writing, editing, designing, and taking photographs. Researches subjects, conducts interviews, and write articles for Central Office Public Information Office (PIO) when needed.

Attends and promotes public meetings/hearings, public information and construction workshops, and community awareness meetings. Assists in the coordination and implementation of special events involving the Department, such as roadway designation ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, ground breakings, and special announcements.

Compiles and prepares for electronic dissemination the news clips used by internal Department staff to keep up with activities and issues involving the state roadways.

Assists the Central Office Public Information Office in providing information for internal reports such as daily media calls, monthly accomplishments, and other documents as needed. Logs calls from the media, public, and elected officials into SharePoint tracking system. Maintains office files and records. Maintains calendar appointments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods including alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media; Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems; Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar; Skilled in knowing how to find information and identifying essential information; Skilled in developing approaches for implementing an idea; Skilled in being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react the way they do; Ability to communicate effectively with others in writing as indicated by the needs of the audience; Ability to talk to others to effectively convey information; Ability to use logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches; Ability to adjust actions in relation to others’ actions.

OTHER JOB RELATED REQUIREMENTS: Attendance may be required for occasional evening meetings. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of professional experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism. A master's degree from an accredited college or university in communications or English can substitute for one year of the required experience. Professional or nonprofessional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.

AS A CANDIDATE, YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION (I.E. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENCY, COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS, ETC.) TO VERIFY MEETING THESE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

A Competitive Area Differential (CAD) additive in the amount of $1,268.80 will be added to the annual salary.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES THE SERVICE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN TO OUR COUNTRY AND SUPPORTS THE HIRING OF RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY SPOUSES.  If you are a preference-eligible applicant who receives notice of a hiring decision and believe that you were not afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law and regulation, you may file a written complaint within 60 calendar days from the date you receive the notice, requesting an investigation to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Division of Benefits and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.