DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

COMMUNICATIONS
2302 W. Durango,
Phoenix, AZ 85009

Salary: $101,479.98 - $111,479.98 

Anticipated Salary: $106,480.09

Grade: 24

Closing Date: 06/01/2026

Responsible for public information & public relations role; oversees the 24/7/365 public information staff at the Traffic Operations Center (TOC), ADOT's digital strategy & outreach, management of all social media platforms, Dynamic Message Sign safety messaging & media relations related to traffic conditions. Guides staff in communicating news, the operation of the State Highway System & the implementation of the ADOT Strategic Plan. Develop emerging & potential news stories from the perspective of travelers, liaisons with law enforcement & PIOs in other organizations. Provide a high level of confidential customer service to journalists; responsible for the development of short & long range strategies related to the use of social media channels, ADOT blog, news releases & mobile apps. Serves as initial crisis communications manager.

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.

Manage staff working a 24-hours-a-day setting, leads efforts to improve operations & output, eliminate waste/increase quality; prepares annual evaluations & oversight/performance feedback for the team; conducts huddle board sessions, develops standard work, charts progress toward solving problems. Supervise/coach team in content creation, shooting, editing & optimizing video for social media.

Ensure continuity for digital communication operation, coordinates with the Public Information Manager when other staff is needed to ensure continuity of staffing. Directs in developing, improving & standardizing content/strategies that improve communication & enhance ADOT's image through social media channels & continuously improving engagement & reach to meet performance measures.

Develop/implement social media strategies for social platforms & the ADOT blog to increase engagement & audience. Creates, places/tracks metrics for paid social media ads. Oversees the development/maintenance of ADOT's mobile applications & programs including AZ511, provide customer support for apps/programs & Digital Message System for safety-related topics for ADOT groups.

Knowledge of:
• Principles & practices of journalism, public relations, advertising, & public information
• Preparation & production of written & visual materials & materials to be presented orally
• Social media standards, trends, production & methods of measurement
• Associated Press style
• Leadership & project management knowledge & practices
• Managing or supervising a team, including performance management. Google & Microsoft software suites
• Incident command structure
• Public records laws
• Transportation or road construction industry experience

Skill in/with:
• Strong management & personnel experience
• Solid news judgment, written & oral communication skills
• News management
• Time management
• Organizational
• Computer skills
• Writing & editing for the web & diverse audiences
• Shooting video & creating social media content
• Posting text, video & audio on the web, social media & mobile platforms
• Strong research skills
• Strong customer service skills

Ability to:
• Make quick & independent decisions & to work under pressure
• Maintain community & agency sources & contacts while maintaining & developing relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including the media & the public & colleagues
• Handle multiple duties in a team & newsroom environment
• Meet tight deadlines
• Problem solve, critical thinking & works independently & as a team
• Write & produce a story meeting news deadlines
• Interpret technical information to create & edit news content
• Do on-camera interviews & public speaking

• Five to ten years’ experience in journalism, media relations, public information & or public relations.
• Ideal candidate for this position will possess a bachelor degree in journalism, broadcast journalism, communications or a closely related field.

Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) certification is required.

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.