PUBLIC INFORMATION DIRECTOR 3

State of Louisiana; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Louisiana seeks a Public Information Director for the Office of Motor Vehicles. This leadership role shapes public perception, manages crisis communications, and modernizes how residents interact with government services.

You will direct communications, supervise a Public Information Officer, and coordinate across executive leadership. The ideal candidate brings senior-level experience in public relations, journalism, or marketing, with strong strategic thinking and customer focus.

Qualifications

• Eight years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design.
• Six years of full-time experience in any field plus five years in PR/journalism/marketing/content creation/social media management/graphic design.
• Bachelor's degree plus five years of experience in PR/journalism/marketing/content creation/social media management/graphic design.
• Advanced degree in PR/marketing/communications/journalism/English plus four years of experience in PR/journalism/marketing/content creation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as agency spokesperson and manage public relations programs in all program areas.
• Direct the operation of the public relations/communications division and budget.
• Represent the agency in crisis situations and with media at meetings.
• Oversee agency web presence and approve published information.
• Develop objectives and programs for proactive public relations across agency programs.
• Manage communications and promotional budget, including advertising campaigns.
• Produce and direct radio or AV productions and PSAs.
• Oversee contracted advertising and PR activities.
• Coordinate statewide press conferences for agency leadership and governor.
• Advise officials on proper PR interview techniques.
• Write materials and oversee layout of newsletters, bulletins, posters.
• Develop and maintain media contacts locally and internationally.
• Research topics and write speeches, press releases, and position papers.

Skills

Communicating Effectively

Managing Programs

Thinking Critically

Thinking Strategically

Customer Focus

Education

Bachelor's degree in PR/marketing/journalism/content creation/social media/graphic design

Advanced degree in PR/marketing/communications/journalism/English

Job description

The Public Information Director serves as the strategic voice, media bridge, and chief storyteller for the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). Far from a traditional desk job, this leadership position is dedicated to reshaping public perception and modernizing how millions of residents interact with essential our government services. Operating at the intersection of media relations, digital marketing, crisis management, and executive communications, the Pubic Information Director ensures transparent, clear, and proactive engagement across every platform.

AN IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies

• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Managing Programs: The ability to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate programs to achieve strategic objectives and long-term outcomes
• Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well supported conclusions

Preferred Competencies

• Championing Continuous Improvement: The ability to promote and implement ongoing enhancements in processes, products, services, or organizational culture
• Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others
• Focusing on Customers: The ability to understand and meet the needs, preferences, and experiences of internal and external customers.
• Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.
• Thinking Strategically: The ability to anticipate trends, understand context, and align actions with long-term priorities.

Experience Requirements

• Eight years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field plus five years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR
• A bachelor's degree plus five years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR
• An advanced degree in public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, or English plus four years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design.
• EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION: Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties

• Serve as agency spokesperson and is responsible for public relations programs in all programmatic areas of the state agency.
• Direct the operation of the entire public relations/communications division and budget
• Serve as the agency spokesperson in crisis situations, as well as with the media and at community and agency meetings.
• Serve as agency web administrator, approving all information that is published to the agency Internet web page, www.expresslane.la.gov.
• Conduct research and develops objectives and programs for pro-active positive public relations interactions across the state for all agency programs
• Manage the communications, public relations, and promotional budget by writing the narrative, projecting costs, determining necessary adjustments and approving and reviewing expenditures, plans and directs advertising, public relations and promotional campaigns and strategies for a large agency.
• Produce and/or direct radio or audio-visual productions, develop the material and script and oversee production of audio/video programs and PSAs.
• Oversee agency use of contracted advertising and public relations activities.
• Plan and coordinate statewide press conference tours for the agency secretary and governor and other special events.
• Advise agency officials on proper public relations interview techniques before media contact.
• Write materials for and directs the layout and production of informational materials such as newsletters, bulletins, pamphlets, directories, and posters.
• Initiate, develop, and maintain local, national, and international media and public contacts for disseminating agency information.
• Research materials for and writes speeches, news releases, and position papers on selected topics for agency officials.
• Work closely with OMV Executive team support all administrators and their specific programs, and supervise a Public Information Officer.

Position-Specific Details

• Appointment Type: This posting may be used to fill a probational, promotional, or job appointment.
• Career Progression: This position does not participate in a Career Progression Group.
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience. Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities

Contact Information

Department of Public Safety
ATTN: Human Resources/ Latedra Drummond
P.O. BOX 66614
Baton Rouge, LA. 70896
Email: [e-mail]