PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT/SPECIALIST - 55004506

Requisition No: 846679 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT/SPECIALIST - 55004506

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 55004506 

Salary:  $49,668.65 - $64,277.07 

Posting Closing Date: 03/08/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

848 / Communications & Marketing

OPEN COMPETITIVE

SELECTED EXEMPT SERVICE

CONTACT PERSON: Yasir Mercado

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 954-934-1138

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: Yasir.Mercado@dot.state.fl.us

ANTICIPATED BI-WEEKLY HIRING SALARY: $2,247.45

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: Provide administrative support to the Communications Office.Provide high-level administrative support to the Director of Communications and the Communications Office. Manage the Director’s calendar, prioritize meetings, and ensure deadlines are met. Assist in organizing special events, press conferences, staff meetings, and seminars. Prepare and distribute materials for meetings, track follow-up actions, and manage correspondence. Respond to phone calls, emails, and other communications, maintaining accurate records in the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Tracker system.

Provide public information & media support: Field media-related calls and inquiries and input them into the media calls database, ensuring all responses are accurately tracked and properly closed out. Assist in developing press materials, such as fact sheets, media advisories, and talking points, as needed. Monitor media outlets and news stories related to transportation, providing timely updates and summaries to the Communications team. Manage content updates and approvals for internal communication platforms, newsletters, and external outreach. Coordinate and assist with social media postings, including tracking engagement and compiling reports.

Act as the unit P-Card holder, processing purchases, ensuring compliance with FDOT policies, and documenting transactions. Safeguard purchasing documentation, including receipts and justifications for expenditures. Oversee budget-related tasks such as tracking spending, reporting, and assisting with procurement requests.

Manage business-related travel for the Communications team, ensuring compliance with policies. Prepare and process travel authorizations and reimbursement requests through the State Travel Management System (STMS).

Provide timesheet and personnel support: Coordinate timekeeping, monitor the People First System, and ensure the accuracy of timesheets. Prepare personnel-related documents to submit to Human Resources for processing, such as Request for Pay Action (RPAs) forms and position descriptions, and assist with hiring logistics. Serve as the primary contact for questions related to timesheets and personnel processes.

Monitor and track employee training records, ensuring all mandatory courses are completed. Assist staff with enrolling in and coordinating training opportunities. Serve as the Unit Custodian for property, maintaining and tracking all items using the Property Management Reporitng System (PMRS)and conducting regular inventories.

Assist with emergency response and storm-related communications as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of office administration practices, techniques, and FDOT policies; Knowledge of the principles of effective communication, media relations, and customer service; Knowledge of social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) and digital communications tools; Knowledge of event planning and coordination; Knowledge of financial regulations, procurement policies, and budget management procedures. Skilled in effective oral and written communication; Skilled in preparing professional materials (press releases, fact sheets, reports); Skilled in utilizing Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint); Skilled in handling multiple priorities, deadlines, and requests with minimal supervision; Skilled in using media monitoring tools and tracking systems, organizing large volumes of administrative data, managing inventory, and coordinating travel. Ability to maintain confidentiality while managing sensitive documents and information; Ability to exercise good judgment in responding to inquiries and prioritizing tasks; Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced environment; Ability to adapt to evolving public information needs during press events or emergencies, establish and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, media outlets, and external stakeholders.

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.