Public Information Officer 3

State of Louisiana; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is seeking an experienced communications and media relations professional to lead media relations, public affairs, and strategic communications for the New Orleans area.

The senior spokesperson will provide timely, accurate information during high-profile projects, emergencies, and severe weather events while collaborating with media, officials, and transportation partners.

Qualifications

• Five 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 two years in relevant communications roles.
• A bachelor’s degree plus two years in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design.
• An advanced degree plus one year of relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead media relations and public affairs for the New Orleans area.
• Build relationships with media, officials, community groups, and transportation partners.
• Respond to inquiries and develop press materials and talking points.
• Develop proactive media strategies to promote DOTD projects and safety initiatives.
• Coordinate press conferences, events, site visits, and announcements.
• Advise leaders on high-profile media and public engagements.
• Develop department-wide messaging and coordinated responses for major initiatives.
• Lead or support crisis communications during severe weather and emergencies.
• Translate complex transportation information into clear public messaging.
• Monitor media coverage and advise on public outreach and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Communicating Effectively

Focusing on Customers

Thinking Critically

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design

Advanced degree in public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, or English

Job description

At the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD), we plan, build, maintain, and protect the transportation systems that connect communities, support commerce, and keep Louisiana moving.

DOTD is seeking an experienced communications and media relations professional. The position leads media relations, public affairs, and strategic communications for the New Orleans area while supporting the broader communication needs of statewide media efforts and department leadership. As a senior spokesperson and communications advisor, the position provides timely, accurate, and accessible information during high-profile projects, emergencies, severe weather events, and other critical situations. The position also builds strong relationships with media, community stakeholders, government officials, transportation partners, and internal personnel while applying sound judgment, exceptional communication skills, and a strong understanding of transportation operations and the New Orleans metropolitan area.

AN IDEAL CANIDATE SHOULD POSESS THE FOLLLOWING COMPETENCIES:

• Communicating Effectively:The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Focusing on Customers: The ability to understand and meet the needs, preferences, and experiences of internal and external customers.
• Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions.

This position is located in Orleans parish and reports to the Executive Director of Marketing & Communications.

Please visit our DOTD Career Center for more information about our agency: https://dotd.la.gov/about/office-of-management-and-finance/human-resources/career-center/

• Five 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 two years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR
• A bachelor's degree plus two 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 one year 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:

• Lead media relations and public affairs activities for DOTD in the New Orleans area and assigned district.
• Build and maintain relationships with news media, government officials, community organizations, transportation partners, and other stakeholders.
• Respond to media inquiries and develop press releases, advisories, talking points, briefing materials, and other communications products.
• Develop proactive media strategies and identify opportunities to promote DOTD projects, programs, accomplishments, policies, and public safety initiatives.
• Coordinate press conferences, media events, project announcements, site visits, groundbreaking ceremonies, and other public affairs activities.
• Serve as a senior media strategist and communications advisor to the Secretary and Department executive leadership, including preparing leaders for high-profile media and public engagements.
• Develop department-wide messaging, communications strategies, and coordinated responses for major initiatives, sensitive issues, and high-profile media inquiries.
• Lead or support crisis communications during severe weather, emergencies, major crashes, evacuations, infrastructure incidents, and other urgent events.
• Translate complex transportation, engineering, construction, and infrastructure information into clear, accurate, and accessible messaging for the public and media.
• Monitor media coverage, social media, and emerging issues; provide communications counsel and support public outreach, strategic initiatives, and special assignments across the Department.

Position-Specific Details:

Compensation: Additional compensation may be considered impart with extraordinary qualifications in accordance with State Civil Service Rule 6.5(g) and DOTD policy. Any such consideration is subject to approval and applicable pay limitations.

Appointment Type: This position may be filled as either a probational appointment (open to all qualified applicants); a promotion (open to all statewide classified and Agency-wide permanent status employees); Job Appointment (temporary appointment in a classified position for a limit of four years); or by detail to special duty.

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy, contact:
Chelsea Harris, Executive Director of Marketing & Communications
Public Information and Customer Service, Section 9
[phone]
[e-mail]

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and serves as a model employer for individuals with disabilities. DOTD does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, disability, age, or pregnancy, and prohibits harassment of any type.

Information on the Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available: https://www.laworks.net/workforcedev/lrs/lrs_rehabilitation.asp

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.