DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

COMMUNICATIONS
1655 W. Jackson,
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $118,420.23 - $128,420.00 

Anticipated Salary: $123,420.12

Grade: 26

Closing Date: 04/13/2026

Functions as the Communications and Public Involvement Deputy Director, with the authority to act on behalf of the Communications and Public Involvement Director, serve as the primary source for information regarding agency communication for the department director, department management team & the Governor's Office. Provide strategic communication counsel for the department director & department management team at times when the Communications and Public Involvement Director is not available. On a day-to-day basis, this position will serve as a leader in the Communications and Public Involvement office, managing teams and staff, leading efforts to communicate agency initiatives working with cross functional teams in Communications and throughout ADOT.

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.

Support & directly oversee the work of multiple Communications & Public Involvement workgroups. Prepare annual evaluations and provide performance feedback for teams & direct reports; conduct huddle and team sessions, chart progress toward solving problems by establishing and tracking relevant metrics. Coach/develop/mentor staff.

Support collaboration/drive innovation throughout ADOT Communications and Public Involvement and the agency through regular meetings & other activities designed to maximize resources to improve outreach to target audiences.

Provide senior-level guidance/input to the Communications Director, other agency leadership, executive staffon communication and engagement strategies/techniques to maximize effectiveness of messaging designed to engage the agency workforce.

Knowledge of:
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Public involvement practices in alignment with Title VI, the Americans with Disabilities.
• Act (ADA) and other federal requirements.
• FEMA National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS).
• Implementation of the ADOT Public Involvement Plan.
• Strategic communication planning and implementation.
• Communication techniques that attract public support for agency programs and objectives.
• Effective and accurate writing and editing.
• Associated Press (AP) and ADOT Style.
• Basic math.
• Government policies/procedures.
• Employee engagement and recognition strategies.

Skill in/with:
• Management of projects and professional consultants.
• Project research.
• Writing and proofreading for diverse audiences and varying mediums such as web pages, project alerts, video scripts. blogs and flyers.
• Customer-focused service.
• Listening to and working with community, government and business stakeholders regarding community relations issues.
• Computer and social media use.
• Public speaking and networking with diverse audiences.
• Leading diverse teams and multidisciplinary efforts. Strong management & personnel experience.
• Solid news judgment, written & oral communication skills.
• Time Management/-Organizational.
• Google Workspace Programs.

Ability to:
• Cognitive thinking; problem solving.
• Sound decision making, especially in the absence of immediate direction or supervision.
• Clearly communicate the department's position on transportation-related issues, decisions and policy in a manner that reflects the department, its leadership and partners in a positive, professional light.
• Effectively present information to targeted audiences professionally through written, verbal and visual communication.
• Use maps, diagrams, plans, project files, reports.
• Ability to maintain community & agency sources and contacts while maintaining & developing relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including the media & the public speaking.

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) training, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) training, National Incident Management System & (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) training.
Graduate degree in communications, public relations, journalism, public administration or a closely related field.
Ten years of leadership in a dynamic communications environment.
Demonstrated experience working within the governmental sector.

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) 712-8188 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) 712-8188 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.