Agency: Florida Department of Health

Working Title: Public Information Specialist II

Position Number: 64051306

Salary: $60,000 to $80,000

Posting Closing Date: August 28, 2026

Job Posting Category: Open Competitive

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Statewide Public Information Officer (PIO) for the Florida Department of Health (Department) reports to the Director for the Office of Communications. This position is responsible for helping fulfill the Department's mission to protect and promote the health of all residents and visitors in the state through organized state and community efforts, including cooperative agreements with counties, as well as promoting county health departments (CHDs) and Office of County Health Systems (CHS), through internal and external communications.

Responsibilities include:

• The Statewide Public Information Officer is a highly professional and administrative position responsible for implementing various public information functions to support and assist the Communications Director for the Department of Health. 
• Provides strategic communications oversight for all County Health Department Public information offices, ensuring alignment with statewide priorities, messaging and leadership directives
• Review and approve press releases, media responses, talking points and public advisories
• Updates, prepares and addresses responses to social media public inquiries in real time by providing information, researched links, contact information, statistics and technical assistance.
• Assists in the development and coordination of public awareness campaign activities.
• Under the guidance of the Communications Director, assists in developing, managing, and implementing a comprehensive statewide communication strategy.
• Oversees aspects of the Department's communication, external affairs, and public relations effort.
• Assists with day-to-day operations and activities for the Office of Communications, including tracking assignments and providing direct and indirect supervision of communications staff responsible for designing and producing communications for events, community engagement, outreach, project information, education, internal communications, and digital media.
• Performs emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days as needed.
• Travels for events as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of best practices, principles, and techniques in public relations, public information, mass communication, external affairs, marketing, and emergency communication.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects, as well as to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments with staff.
• Ability to use independent judgment in handling internal and external inquiries.
• Ability to maintain composure and meet deadlines in stressful situations.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver's license.
• Skilled in Microsoft Office Suite and other commonly used programs.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and best practices to maximize use.
• Knowledge of AP Style.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to develop and implement policies, procedures, and strategies.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Preferred: A bachelor's degree in communications or public relations and four years of verifiable related experience in communications, media relations, public affairs, or a related field.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Tallahassee, FL, US, 32399

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for

employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration.

Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety- sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS

website: http://www.sss.gov

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

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

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287).

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.