Public Information Officer IV

DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

Driving the future of transportation with a diverse and innovative team!

Job Summary:

This position will lead a team of four Public Information Officer IIs in managing ADOT’s active, informative and award-winning social media accounts, and external communications response to unplanned events that impact highway travel.

Responsible for work of considerable difficulty, supervising a team of four Public Information Officers (PIOs) that are responsible for external communications about unplanned and impactful highway incidents to news media and through social media; works a significant amount of the time outside of regular business hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, without direct supervision; and serves as a lead resource for the agency, making external communications decisions on urgent and high-profile events. Directs preparation of external communications, including news releases, social media content and other materials; and serves as the primary contact with Traffic Operations Center (TOC) staff, responder personnel & PIOs in other organizations during emergency incidents. Directs PIO media interactions, including providing media training, and arranging live and recorded on-camera interviews about highway incidents. Supervises and guides PIO development of traditional and social media content for unplanned and critical incidents, as well as assigning, guiding and reviewing enterprise content, which will include social media posts & videos, and blog posts.

Job Duties:

• Supervise and direct staff, prepares staff scheduling, ensure proper coverage for 17-hours per day - 7 days/week operation, fills in during staff shortages; reviews/approves ETEs, develops & tracks team performance goals, complete employee evaluations that align with division & agency goals. Provides regular media/interview training to PIO IIs. Manage training & career development for direct reports.
• Manages agency social media strategy. Assigns/reviews content, ensuring it aligns with agency messaging, meets professional standards. Keeps staff up to date on trends/digital editing tools with the aim of producing engaging social media. Tracks social media analytics, using data-driven approach to guide creation of engaging content. Creates content, including videos, for social media platforms.
• Manages publication of the ADOT Blog. Assigns/edits articles for the ADOT Blog, ensures content aligns with agency messaging, meets professional standards. Produces articles for the ADOT Blog & social media platforms. Shoots, edits and produces video and photos for social media and news media.
• Serves as primary Communications contact with ADOT Traffic Operations Center Dispatch supervisors, TOC law enforcement personnel, ADOT Emergency Management & Incident Response Unit supervisors & AZ511 management to improve collaboration & ensure accurate & timely external communications of impactful traffic incidents & other emergencies.
• Coordinates with ADOT districts/other agencies to obtain information on travel events, roadway conditions, closures, focusing communications on nature of the restrictions, anticipated duration, public safety & alternative routes.
• Representative for statewide coordination during emergency incidents, wildfires, snow storms, dust storms, hazmat & other significant events impacting the state highway system. Coordinate with ADOT Emergency Management & TOC staff during dignitary visits (President, Vice President, etc.). Liaison between TV stations & ITG to resolve issues when TV news stations experience issues with their connection to highway camera feeds.
• Liaison between PIO IIs & contracted media clip vendors to resolve issues, ensure timely & accurate delivery of daily media clip reports to agency leadership. Coordinate scheduling of social media content with other agency work groups & contractors. Liaison between PIO IIs & contracted social media content management vendor to resolve issues, ensure service is working properly, agency social media platforms are connected & active.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Selective Preference(s):

Bachelor's degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field; three to five years of experience in communications, community relations, public relations or a related field; supervisory experience.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job and the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

Must be able to pass background check for Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) certification.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).