DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

COMMUNICATIONS
1655 W Jackson Street,
Phoenix, ST 85007

Anticipated Salary: $87,120.17 

Grade: 22

Closing Date: 11/19/2026

This position oversees the development and implementation of comprehensive community relations efforts during the study, design and construction of ADOT projects and the operation of the state highway system, in accordance with federal/state requirements and the ADOT Public Involvement Plan. This position supervises Community Relations staff assigned to ADOT districts and projects to implement effective community engagement efforts and manages individual projects or studies when needed. This position builds positive working relationships through ongoing collaboration with ADOT staff in multiple divisions, project consultant/contractor staff, local governments and community/business stakeholders.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Review/provide direction to staff on development of quality, accurate and timely work products, such as written copy/graphics for public facing materials (traffic alerts, web content, fact sheets, presentations, etc.), review study/project public involvement plans for effectiveness & compliance with ADOT/federal requirements.

Provide oversight for implementation of project public involvement efforts. Collaborate with staff and project teams to plan public outreach efforts, ensure the public/community stakeholders are informed, minimize project-related impacts and address issues. Participate in/lead project and partnering and public meetings and events. Occasional in-state travel to District offices and project sites.

Provide oversight & development of direct reports, including holding staff meetings, 1:1 coaching & annual performance evaluations, establishing goals deadlines & work standards, ensuring staff takes appropriate training, approving time entry & leave, making staffing assignments & ensuring staff project coverage, and verifying required project reporting and documentation.

Knowledge of:

• Supervisory/manager experience.
• Strategic communications.
• Project delivery and programming processes.
• Associated Press writing style.
• Public involvement principles and best practices.
• NEPA, Title VI and ADA public involvement requirements.
• Basic math.
• Developing/maintaining project databases.
• State & local issues & geography.

Skill in/with:

• Manage/coach staff to meet needs/goals.
• Effective/accurate writing/editing.
• Project management, organization.
• Project research & reporting.
• Writing for diverse audiences & mediums.
• Customer-focused, diplomacy.
• Working with community stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Google Suite/Microsoft Office for spreadsheets, documents and presentations.
• Public speaking, public meeting planning.

Ability to:

• Learn, understand, and apply ADOT's Five-Year Program: Public Involvement Plan guidance, and project delivery processes.
• Collaborative, easy to work with.
• Sound decision making without direction.
• Communicate policies in a manner that reflects positively on the agency.
• Prioritize work to meet deadlines.
• Problem-solving.
• Effectively convey complex information to the public.
• Adapt to changes & business emergencies.
• Responsible steward of resources.

Bachelor's degree in Communication, Journalism Public Relations or a related field; 5-7 years of experience in communications, community relations, public relations or a related field Supervisory experience; experience developing & implementing public involvement activities for transportation projects.

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).

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

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Mandatory participation in the Arizona Retirement System (ASRS) is required.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact ADOT Human Resources Recruitment via email at srecruitment@azdot.gov or phone call at (602) 712-8186 option 2.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 712-8186 option 3. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. ADOT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.