Communications Specialist

Gannett Fleming; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

GFT in Fort Myers, FL is seeking a Communications Specialist to join our Transportation team onsite, translating complex project information into clear public communications and coordinating with engineers, project managers, media, and community stakeholders.

The role focuses on writing press materials, developing digital content, supporting media relations, and planning public meetings and outreach activities, while upholding accessibility and client standards.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Communications or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, public information, community outreach, journalism, marketing, or related discipline.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to translate technical information into clear content for nontechnical audiences.
• Experience developing communications materials across print, digital, social media, or other public-facing channels.
• Ability to communicate professionally with clients, public, media, stakeholders, and senior leaders.
• Strong research, organizational, and project management skills; ability to manage multiple assignments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn digital platforms.
• Ability to work onsite in Fort Myers, Florida and attend public meetings or events outside traditional hours.
• Ability to provide communications support during emergencies or incidents.

Responsibilities

• Develop, write, and edit communications materials including press releases, media advisories, fact sheets, FAQs, newsletters, project updates, talking points, presentations, and other public-facing content.
• Translate technical information into clear, accessible communications for the public, media, officials, and stakeholders.
• Support media relations activities, including researching inquiries, developing talking points, coordinating interviews, monitoring coverage, and providing timely project information.
• Develop and manage content for websites, social media, e-newsletters, and other digital channels.
• Support development of photography, video, graphics, presentations, and multimedia content.
• Plan and support public meetings, hearings, workshops, and other engagement activities.
• Engage with community members and stakeholders, documenting questions and coordinating follow-ups.
• Collaborate with leadership, project teams, consultants, agencies to develop communications strategies.
• Assist with public records requests and maintain communications documentation.
• Provide communications support during transportation incidents, emergencies, severe weather, or other time-sensitive events.

Skills

Writing

Verbal communication

Editing

Public engagement

Project management

Education

Associate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, Public Administration, or a related field

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, Public Administration, or a related discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

What You Will Do:

GFT is seeking a talented and highly motivated Communications Specialist to join our Transportation team in Fort Myers, Florida. In this client-facing role, you will work onsite alongside one of our public-sector transportation clients, providing communications and public engagement support for important transportation infrastructure projects and initiatives.

Transportation projects affect how people travel, work, and connect with their communities. Clear, timely, and accessible communication is essential to helping the public understand what is happening, why it matters, and how projects may affect them.

As a Communications Specialist, you'll translate complex project information into communications that are accurate, engaging, and easy to understand. You'll collaborate with client leadership, engineers, project managers, media representatives, and community stakeholders while supporting public information, media relations, digital communications, and community outreach.

What You'll Be Challenged to Do

• Develop, write, and edit communications materials including press releases, media advisories, fact sheets, FAQs, newsletters, project updates, talking points, presentations, and other public-facing content.
• Translate technical information from engineers, project managers, and subject matter experts into clear, accessible communications for the public, media, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
• Support media relations activities, including researching and responding to inquiries, developing talking points, coordinating interviews, monitoring coverage, and preparing timely project information.
• Develop and manage content for websites, social media, e-newsletters, and other digital communications channels, ensuring information is accurate, timely, accessible, and consistent with client standards.
• Support the development of photography, video, graphics, presentations, and other multimedia content that helps communicate transportation projects and initiatives.
• Plan and support public meetings, hearings, workshops, open houses, press events, project milestones, and other community engagement activities.
• Engage professionally with community members and stakeholders, providing accurate project information, documenting questions and concerns, and coordinating appropriate follow-up.
• Collaborate with client leadership, project teams, consultants, government agencies, and community partners to develop communications strategies and consistent messaging for routine, complex, and sensitive issues.
• Assist with public records requests and maintain communications documentation in accordance with applicable public records, retention, and accessibility requirements.
• Provide responsive communications support during transportation incidents, emergencies, severe weather, or other time-sensitive events as required by the client.

What You Will Bring to Our Firm

• Associate degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, public information, community outreach, journalism, marketing, or a related discipline.
• Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate technical or complex information into clear and engaging content for nontechnical audiences.
• Experience developing communications materials across print, digital, social media, or other public-facing channels.
• Ability to communicate professionally with clients, members of the public, media, community stakeholders, and senior leaders.
• Strong research, organizational, and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple assignments, changing priorities, and quick-turn requests.
• Sound judgment and the ability to remain composed and professional when managing sensitive or time-critical communications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn digital communications, content management, and collaboration platforms.
• Ability to work onsite in Fort Myers, Florida and participate in occasional public meetings or project activities outside traditional business hours.
• Ability to provide communications support during emergency or incident-response situations as required.

Education | Experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
• Communications or public involvement experience supporting a Department of Transportation, transit agency, municipality, county, other government organization, or public-sector client.
• Experience supporting transportation, infrastructure, engineering, construction, or other technically complex projects.
• Experience with media relations and public or stakeholder engagement.
• Familiarity with public records requirements and digital accessibility/ADA standards.
• Experience with website content management, social media, photography, video, graphic design, or other multimedia communications.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that's why we're the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry's brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century's experience, together we're building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives

is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans' status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Fort Meyers, Florida (FL)
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time

Compensation: $72,000 - $83,000

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Applicants in the County of Los Angeles- Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco- Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California-Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.