PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - 55012221

Requisition No: 870876 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - 55012221

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 55012221 

Salary:  $51,093.05 - $66,120.41 

Posting Closing Date: 03/11/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

426 / PUBLIC INFORMATION

OPEN COMPETITIVE

CAREER SERVICE

FULL-TIME

CONTACT PERSON:  Guillermo Canedo

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER:  (954) 777-4302

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS:  Guillermo.Canedo@dot.state.fl.us

ANTICIPATED ANNUAL HIRING SALARY:  $56,213.04 (includes Competitive Area Differential)

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

To ensure honesty and transparency, all applicants must provide their own work. Unless explicitly requested, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with qualifying questions, work samples, or interviews is strictly prohibited, and any breach of this requirement will lead to the applicant being removed from consideration.

Candidates must be United States (U.S.) citizens or lawfully authorized alien workers.  Visa sponsorship is not available.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do:

Public Information Specialist – District Four / District Secretary / Public Information

This position will serve as the primary graphic artist for FDOT District 4 and lead in the development of digital and printed products. Additionally, the Public Information Specialist will assist the D4 Communications Office with weekly updates to project websites; assist with purchasing supplies; renewing subscriptions; and responding to questions or routing calls from the public. 

The Difference You Will Make:

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication. 

How You Will Grow:

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development.  Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses. 

Where You Will Work:

District Four – District Secretary

3400 West Commercial Blvd

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Annual Salary Range:

$51,093.05 – $66,120.41 

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

Your Specific Responsibilities:

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 clips/files.

Reviews and edits 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.

Photographs district events and employees to be used electronically on the district web page or in the district newsletter.

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 approved district social media channels.

Assists in the coordination and implementation of special events involving the department such as roadway designation ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, ground breakings and special announcements.

Maintains office files and records. Handles telephone inquiries, maintains calendar appointments, etc. Provides administrative support to the Public Information Director as needed.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Graphic art design, development, and production for both digital and printed products.
• Video production, editing and distribution through traditional means and social media.
• The English language, to include the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar.
• Administrative and clerical procedures and systems.

Skills in:

• Graphics design and sharing messages visually.
• Layout and design and familiar with means of printing, binding and presentation.
• Communicating effectively with others in writing and indicated by the needs of the audience.
• Talking to others to effectively convey information.

Ability to:

• Find information and identify essential information.
• Problem solve.
• Listen to others and ask appropriate questions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Six years of experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism. A bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communication, Advertising, Public Relations or Marketing can substitute for four (4) years of the required experience. A master’s degree in Journalism, Communication, Advertising, Public Relations or Marketing can substitute for six (6) years of the required experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You will 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 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 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 at (850) 414-5300 for assistance.  

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.