Deputy Communications Director - 31001118

Requisition No: 859161 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: Deputy Communications Director - 31001118

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 31001118 

Salary:  up to $75,117.96 

Posting Closing Date: 08/31/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Deputy Communications Director

Office of Communications/External Affairs

State of Florida Division of Emergency Management

This position is located in Tallahassee, Florida

The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters. These range from floods and hurricanes to incidents involving hazardous materials or nuclear power. FDEM is the liaison between federal, state, and local agencies. FDEM prepares and implements a statewide Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, routinely conducts extensive exercises to test state and county emergency response capabilities, provides technical assistance to local governments as they prepare emergency plans and procedures, as well as conducts emergency operations trainings for state and local government agencies.

FDEM serves as the lead agency for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT), whose primary goal is the coordination of the state’s efforts during disaster response and recovery. This coordination is conducted within the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee. Additionally, FDEM manages the State Watch Office; the 24-hour a day operation tasked with providing situational awareness to stakeholders statewide. After a disaster, FDEM conducts damage assessment surveys and advises the Governor of the State of Florida on whether to declare an emergency and seek federal relief funds. It is against this backdrop that FDEM strives to demonstrate its mission of, “Coordinate, collaborate and communicate with our community stakeholders for a resilient Florida” along with our vision of, “Leading the Profession in building prepared and resilient communities”.

Position Overview and Responsibilities:

This is a highly responsible position that serves as FDEM’s spokesperson and primary point of contact in response to media inquiries. Duties include but may not be limited to:

• Serve as FDEM’s spokesperson and primary point of contact in response to media inquiries.
• Assist the Communications Director in generating earned media through the writing and development of press releases, proclamations, social media campaigns, articles, newsletters, and other external deliverables.
• Monitor daily media coverage and other published content related to FDEM, its programs, and its personnel. Facilitates appropriate internal communication to advise on matters of interest featured in these publications.
• Identify media opportunities and strategies to proactively communicate FDEM’s vision and mission, programs, projects, and initiatives providing clear, concise, and consistent information to the public.
• Draft, edit, and approve press releases, press advisories, agency statements, opinion pieces, and articles for internal and external publication as well as speeches, messages, talking points, and responses for the Executive Director and FDEM’s other members of the executive leadership team.
• Assist in managing messaging and strategy for FDEM’s social media sites.
• Assist with fulfilling public records requests from members of the media, including coordinating with appropriate program areas and offices.
• Manage strategic internal communications initiatives to ensure employees of FDEM are engaged in FDEM’s efforts and activities.
• Strategize opportunities for executive leadership, bureaus, and offices to interact with employees of FDEM to help create a cohesive and collaborative culture.
• Create multimedia scripts for internal and external communications initiatives.
• Assist with the planning, production, editing, and dissemination of videos, photographs, reports, and other publications on behalf of FDEM, the Executive Director, or executive leadership.
• Support planning, coordinating, and staffing special events for the Executive Director or executive leadership.
• Manage internal and external web pages and FDEM-managed sites.
• Align communications goals and plans with the Office of the Governor and the Executive Director.
• Assist the Communications Director in managing the Office of Communications/External Affairs and staff. Keep the Communications Director, Chief of Staff, Deputy Executive Directors, and the Executive Director informed regarding strategic media opportunities or emerging issues.
• Serve as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) and oversee the operations of ESF 14 during activations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of print, radio, and television formats and industry protocols.
• Knowledge of Associated Press (AP) writing style for press releases and print communications.
• Skills in public speaking.
• Skills in writing, editing, and oral communication.
• Skills in dealing with the public in a prompt and courteous manner.
• Ability to develop, maintain, and manage ongoing relationships with media representatives.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks under high stress situations.
• Ability to interact and communicate with high level officials.
• Proficient in social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc., and knowledgeable of best practices.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of two years’ experience working in a public relations/communications position.
• Computer experience, including but not limited to Microsoft Office such as Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and other database/spreadsheet software.
• Proficient in social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, etc., and knowledgeable of best practices.
• Knowledge of Associated Press (AP) writing style for press releases and print communications.
• During declared state emergencies, you may be required to work more than 10 hours per day, weekends, and be deployed in support of disaster response for up to 14 days, if needed.

Special Notes:

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

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. The Division appreciates the service and sacrifices made by veterans and their family members. Further, FDEM recognizes the immeasurable value veterans bring to the workplace and is committed to increasing the number of veterans that serve in its workforce.

The Division of Emergency Management is committed to increasing recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities and improving employment outcomes. An individual with a disability is qualified if he or she satisfies the skills, experience, and other job-related requirements for a position and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must contact the FDEM Human Resources Office at (850) 815-4177. FDEM requests applicants notify HR 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.

Successful completion of background screening will be required for this position.

The State of Florida and the Division of Emergency Management participate in E-Verify. This federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

In response to emergency events, Division of Emergency Management employees may be required to work irregular hours, to work more than 8 hours per day, to work extended periods (including weekends and holidays), to work at locations other than their official headquarters, and to perform duties in addition to those outlined in the employee’s position description. Employees must be able to deploy to emergency sites with limited advance notice.

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.