Strategic Communications Manager - 31001671

Requisition No: 856785 

Agency: Division of Emergency Management

Working Title: Strategic Communications Manager - 31001671

 Pay Plan: CS Exempt (EOG)

Position Number: 31001671 

Salary:  $52,000.00 

Posting Closing Date: 07/22/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Strategic Communications Manager

Office of Information Technology and Management

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 position will serve as the primary contact for all aspects of the organization’s website(s), handling a range of responsibilities that may include web design and development, routine site and content maintenance, and various updates to ensure sites align with the goals and objectives of FDEM. This role will work closely with the Office of Communications to provide internal and external social media and messaging. This role requires a strong focus on customer service for regular interfacing with FDEM staff and county and state emergency managers to identify and resolve problems expeditiously, in relation to established standards and procedures. This position reports to FDEM Application Unit Manager in the Office of Information Technology and Management.

• Direct responsibility for development and maintenance of the any/all FDEM website(s).
• Responsible for working with internal and external partners to ensure website updates and projects are made in a timely manner.
• Work in cooperation with other staff and contractors assigned to the same projects.
• Acts as liaison with customers and other support staff to assure accurate design interpretation and maintain communications with customers during the design process.
• Assists in the planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of all FDEM websites that support FDEM.
• Assist in the preparation of systems designs, reports & recommendations for management.
• Maintain website security and security procedures cooperatively with other network security requirements.
• Assist in the planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of all FDEM websites.
• Assist with development of communications plans, news releases, and public relations materials.
• Work with the External Affairs and Communications Director to write and implement a social media strategy, comprehensive communication plan, and public education outreach strategy.
• Design digital content including graphics and copy for FDEM’s social media platforms and ESF-14 during activation.
• Manage and track FDEM’s social media platforms (including analytics).
• Design all outreach materials and external facing documents.
• Assist in the coordination of FDEM’s public education campaign and outreach activities.
• Assist with coordination of outreach opportunities for the Executive Director and FDEM’s senior leadership.
• Assist with the daily operations of ESF-14 (External Affairs and Communications) during activations.
• Travel as required to include disaster duties as a result of declared and non-declared disasters.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to operate a computer, knowledge of Windows operating systems and skills in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and internet navigation and research.
• Experience in the creation of newsletters, publications, and other outreach materials.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under stressful/changing conditions.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in a collaborative service environment and effectively contribute to team success.
• Ability to act independently to resolve problems, and to thoroughly document processes for use by others.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and follow through on projects to completion.
• Ability to use and maintain websites utilizing a CMS.
• Experience with graphic design and editing tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Figma, or Canva.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum one year of communications experience.
• Ability to travel as required to include disaster duties as a result of declared and non-declared disasters.

Special Notes:

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

FDEMt is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. FDEM 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.

FDEM 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 FDEM 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, FDEM 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.