COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST - 55009337

Requisition No: 860829 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST - 55009337

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 55009337 

Salary:  $51,587.59 - $66,760.41 

Posting Closing Date: 09/18/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

912 / Public Information Office

CAREER SERVICE

CONTACT PERSON: Natalie Lowers

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 850-414-5211

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: natalie.lowers@dot.state.fl.us

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $1,984.14 - $2,567.71 /biweekly range / $51,587.59  - $66,760.41 /annual range

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.

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:

Communications Specialist, Public Information Office

As part of FDOT Communications, you’ll be part of a fast-paced team that helps tell FDOT’s story. This position will be primarily focused on creating social media content, researching and responding to media inquiries, and assisting to deliver quality visual materials and talking points for FDOT’s Executive Leadership.

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:

Burns Building - 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida

Annual Salary Range:

$51,587.59 - $66,760.41

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Communications Specialist is a member of the Communications Office of the Florida Department of Transportation.

Assist in the management of the department's internal relations activities. Assist with content creation for the department's social media pages. Research and provide suggestions on how to enhance the department's social media presence. Assist with media relations as directed. Assist with special projects and research as required, including website and branding initiatives.

Prepare and distribute fact sheets or other written materials. Responsible for various types of content creation while meeting deadlines. Assist in drafting and editing materials for department leadership. Assist the Communications Office with the development of presentations, documents, social content, and other materials for press events, hearings and meetings.

Research transportation-related news articles from various media outlets; prepare and distribute transportation-related news clips email daily, as well as monitor ongoing news trends and distribute relevant articles to senior staff and stakeholders as needed. Send out daily media calls. Monitor phones daily.

Performs other duties as required.

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

Knowledge of:

Journalistic writing style and the concepts of grammar, punctuation, and Associated Press style. Proficient in Canva, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook at an intermediate level. Skilled in translating technical information into plain language that the public can understand. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Competent in performing basic mathematical calculations. Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Familiar with social media platforms and monitoring applications. Skilled in dealing with the public in a prompt and courteous manner. Capable of organizing and managing meetings and special events. Able to set and manage priorities and remain calm and effective under pressure.

Ability to:

• Ability to follow directions and be comfortable working independently with minimum
• supervision.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with department staff and the public in a timely manner.
• Ability to effectively research topics and write articles or prepare information for dissemination.
• Ability to operate in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to multitask and produce high quality products that meet the standards of the department.
• Ability to work in a collaborative environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or equivalent and one (1) or more years of experience in the public information/communications field

This position requires a valid Class (A, B, C, or E) driver license with an acceptable driving record in accordance with the Department’s Driver’s Record Requirements Policy. An unacceptable driving record is defined as any of the following:

1. three (3) or more moving violations in the past three (3) years that accumulate three (3) or more points per violation;
2. any two (2) convictions of reckless driving in the past three (3) years;
3. a suspension or revocation of the driver license for moving violations in the past three (3) years; and
4. a suspension or revocation for refusal to take a sobriety test, or any suspension or revocation for a DUI conviction, in the past four (4) years.

Your driving record will be reviewed and the status of your driver license confirmed.

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.

Veterans’ Preference ONLY applies to Career Service positions.  REMOVE THIS RED LANGUAGE AND THE PARAGRAPH BELOW IF YOU ARE NOT ADVERTISING A CAREER SERVICE POSITION:

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.