DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION

Communications 

2302 W. Durango

Phoenix, AZ 85009

Salary Range:  $82,573.10 - $92,573.10

Anticipate Hire Rate: $89,999.93

Grade: 23

Closing Date: 07/20/2026

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 & through social media. Often works outside of regular business hours, including evenings, weekends & holidays, often without direct supervision. Serves as a lead resource for the agency, making external communications decisions on urgent & high-profile events. Directs preparation of news releases, social media content & other multimedia. Serves as a primary contact with Traffic Operations Center (TOC) staff, responder personnel & PIOs in other organizations during emergency incidents.

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.

Supervise & direct staff, prepares staff scheduling, ensures proper coverage for 17-hours per day, 7- days-a-week operation, fills in during staff shortages. Develops & tracks team performance goals, completes employee evaluations that align with division & agency goals. Provides regular media/interview training to PIOs. 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.

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.

Knowledge of:

• Principles & practices of journalism, public relations, and public information.
• Expert communication techniques – written and oral.
• Communication strategies during emergency situations.
• Government communications, news, and social mediums.
• Computer software and/or applications related to photography, graphic design and videography.
• Google Workspace.
• Associated Press Style.
• Social media standards, trends, production and methods of measurement.
• Team coordination during incidents of high media &public interest.
• Newsworthy subjects, plans and projects that draw media interest.
• News media interviewing and outreach strategies.
• Incident command structure.

Skills in:

• On-camera speaking in live and recorded settings.
• Expert use of social media platforms in a professional capacity.
• Shooting, producing, editing video for social media.
• Troubleshooting technical issues and assist when there is no after-hours technical support.
• Prioritizing tasks during high-pressure situations.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Supervising teams, managing individuals.
• Strong social media and news judgment.
• Customer service skills to problem-solve complex issues.

Ability to:

• Adapt social media trends to effectively communicate agency messages via agency's social media platforms.
• Discern appropriate content and messaging to share with the public/the media.
• Supervise a team during critical incidents.
• Guide team members on media responses, interactions & interviews.
• Provide training for social media content creation.
• Build strong relationships with other supervisors within the agency and external stakeholders.
• Prioritize to meet multiple, competing deadlines.
• Do on-camera interviews and public speaking.

Bachelor's degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations or a related field; 3-5 years of experience in communications, community relations, public relations or a related Field; 1-3 years supervisory experience.

Must possess a valid Arizona Drivers License. Must be able to pass a background check for Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) certification.

As this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then 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.