DEP - DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Requisition No: 844843

Agency: Environmental Protection

Working Title: DEP - DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - 37001490

Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 37001490

Salary: $75,000 to $85,000

Posting Closing Date: 01/28/2025

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“DEPUTY COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR”

COMMUNICATIONS ADMINSTRATOR

State of Florida

Department of Environmental Protection

Our Organization and Mission:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship - protecting our air, water and land. The vision of DEP is to advance Florida’s position as a world leader in protecting natural resources while growing the state’s economy.

The Work You Will Do:

The Deputy Communications Director will assist and support the Director of Communications in managing and implementing internal and external strategic communications, marketing and public relations programs to support the department's mission, vision and values. This position reports to the Director of Communications within the Office of Communications.

The Difference You Will Make:

DEP focuses on creating strong community partnerships, safeguarding Florida’s natural resources and enhancing its ecosystems. This includes overseeing and implementing dozens of regulatory, resource management and restoration programs. DEP also manages 175 state parks, trails and historic sites as well as 45 coastal and aquatic areas, which provide world-class recreational opportunities to Floridians and visitors.

How You Will Grow:

DEP encourages its leaders to constantly innovate and seek efficiencies. We believe in supporting and encouraging you as you take on important and often complex projects while offering you the opportunity to gain valuable experience quickly.

Where You Will Work:

Tallahassee, Florida’s Capitol City, lined with rolling hills, oak trees, and canopied roads combines old world charm with a modern pace of life. Home to two major universities as well as state government, Tallahassee is a mid-sized city in the heart of Florida’s Big Bend. Tallahassee is a highly desirable location for both those seeking their first job or those ready to enter the next exciting chapter in their career.

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, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Pay:

$75,000 to $85,000

Your Specific Responsibilities:

• Under the guidance of the Director of Communications, assist in developing a comprehensive communication strategy to engage and inform, increase public understanding and maintain positive relationships with various stakeholders, community-based organizations, community members, advisory committees, government agencies and media.
• Provides direct and indirect supervision under the leadership of the Director of Communications of assigned communications staff responsible for designing and producing communications for events, community engagement and outreach, project information, education, internal communications and digital media.
• Oversees the content and continuity of the department's social media channels and website with consistent and accurate information and messaging that positively reflects the department.
• Collaborates with the Director of Communications in the planning and preparing speeches, scripts and other documents for departmental leadership.
• Assists with coordinating media training to prepare staff, conduct media tours and arrange speaking engagements for the departmental leadership and senior staff as appropriate.
• Assists with reviewing proactive and reactive external messaging, including responding to press inquiries, producing press releases and statements of articles, and coordinating press conferences and media events on a local and state level.
• Develops policies, procedures and strategies to be followed when communicating to audiences within and outside the department.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of best practices in communication, marketing, public relations and emergency communication.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects.
• Ability to maintain composure and meet deadlines in stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain a valid driver’s license.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college; or any combination of post-secondary education or verifiable related experience, as described in this posting, for a total of four years.

Other Job-Related Requirements for this position:

• Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to candidates that:

• Have five to seven years of progressive experience with communication and marketing
• Have a minimum of five years supervising staff or overseeing stakeholder relationships.

POSITION OF SPECIAL TRUST REQUIREMENT:

This position is designated as a Position of Special Trust in accordance with DEP-422 (Positions of Special Trust or Responsibility). Any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. DEP is committed to successfully recruiting and onboarding talented and skilled individuals into its workforce. We recognize the extensive training, experience, and transferrable skills that veterans and individuals with disabilities bring to the workforce. Veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact our recruiter for guidance and answers to questions through the following email addresses:

HR_VeteransPreference@dep.state.fl.us

HR_Recruitment@FloridaDEP.gov

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.