PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - 55002979

State of Florida; Bartow (FL); On-site; USD 56,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance $25,000

Dental, vision and other insurances

Retirement benefits

Holidays and vacation

Job summary

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION in Bartow, FL is seeking a Public Information Specialist to support agency communications. The role involves producing press releases, advisories, media responses and social media content, along with videography and photography tasks.

The successful candidate will handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, coordinate with internal teams, and uphold quality standards while serving as district spokesperson when needed.

Qualifications

• Six years of experience in news reporting, editing, public relations or journalism.
• A bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communication, Advertising, Public Relations or Marketing can substitute for four years of experience.
• A master’s degree can substitute for six years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Develops press releases, traffic advisories, media responses and social media content.
• Videography, video editing and photography duties; thorough proofreading for accuracy.
• Responds to media and public inquiries with timely, accurate information.
• Plans events, manages contracts, and coordinates with stakeholders and officials.

Skills

Social media knowledge

Strong written communication

Verbal communication

Event planning

Software proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism/Communications

Master's degree (substitution)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - 55002979

Date: Aug 12, 2026

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on ourE-Verify Website .

Requisition No:881668

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - 55002979

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $2,396.15 biweekly salary / $62,299.90 annual salary

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

To ensure honesty and transparency, all applicants must provide their own work.Unless explicitly requested, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with qualifying questions, work samples, or interviews is strictly prohibited, and any breach of this requirement will lead to the applicant being removed from consideration.

Candidates must be United States (U.S.) citizens or lawfully authorized alien workers. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do:

PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST / DISTRICT SECRETARY-DIST ONE

This position will support the agency’s communications efforts by applying strong journalism skills and exceptional writing abilities to produce clear, accurate, and engaging content. Duties include developing press releases, traffic advisories, media and public responses, and social media content that effectively communicates agency initiatives. Responsibilities also encompass videography, video editing, and photography, along with thorough proofreading to ensure accuracy and professionalism. The role requires the ability to manage multiple priorities and perform effectively in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment while maintaining high standards of quality.

The Difference You Will Make:

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication.

How You Will Grow:

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development. Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses.

Where You Will Work:

801 N. Broadway Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830

Annual Salary Range:

$50,371.80 – 65,187.04

Your Specific Responsibilities:

Collaborate with others to get the best, most accurate up to date information for research for any past, present and future projects: educating and informing stakeholders and engaging with them on topical discussions. Develops strategic alliances and corporate partnerships to promote District One’s message. Plans and manages projects and contracts. Review, approve and purchase vendor invoices.

Respond to external inquiries from the media, public, and elective officials in a timely manner concerning all the facets of District operations, exercising judgement in handling inquiries performing media responses. This includes answering, researching, and responding to telephone calls, emails, and written inquiries regarding the department’s activities. In the absence of the Public Information Director, The Public Information Specialist will serve as the District Spokesperson on a variety of transportation related issues. Logs calls/e-mails from legislators, elected officials, the media and the public through Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Tracker. Provides daily media report to Tallahassee for Governor’s Office. This position will perform duties in conjunction with PIO, Central Office.

Provides support to the Public Information Director as needed. Maintains offices files and records. Reports concerns to leadership. Coordinate staff participation in the Emergency Operation Center phone branch during emergencies. Handles telephone inquiries, maintains calendar appointments, and meetings, etc. Maintains database of stakeholders. Revises and maintains District’s elected official’s database. Will keep the Public Information Director appraised of any issues that impact District One. As needed, will handle advertisements for Public Hearings or Public Meetings. Will maintain a list of venues and contacts for advertising in the twelve-county area.

Designs and disseminates a variety of electronic and printed media to communicate and promote the District. Prepares news releases, fact sheets, visual/ audio presentations and renderings, media alerts, social media posts and lane closure information for the public, media, and elected officials. Maintain media contact lists, project files and news clips/files. Responsible for taking photographs, researching subjects, conducting interviews, meeting announcements, solicitation of public inputs, and writing articles for Central Office. Reviewing, editing, and approving consultant news releases, brochures, fact sheets and other material that will be distributed to the public. Edit’s communication materials written by employees, as well as consultants, and ensures all communications adhere to the organization’s style guide and represent District One’s interests.

Assist in the preparation, production, and dissemination of materials for the district’s employees including the 1st Edition, Communications Newsletter, Banner Submissions, SharePoint Intranet stories and more. Prepares and presents information for meetings, and coordinates resolution of issues. Responsible for preparing documents and maps to facilitate the departments action plan meetings, writing, editing designing, and taking photographs, research subjects, conduct interviews, meeting announcements, solicitation of public inputs, and write articles for Central Office Public Information office (PIO) when needed. Assist the State Public Information Office in providing information for internal reports such as daily media calls, monthly accomplishments and other documents as needed.

Attends and promotes public meetings/hearing, public information and construction workshops, and community awareness meetings. Assist in disseminating information for local and statewide education/safety programs, including utilizing social media. Distribute daily news clips used by internal department staff to keep up with activities and issues involving the state roadways. Responsible for monitoring, writing, and posting safety related and other transportation information on social media platforms.

Assists in the coordination and implementation of special events involving the department such as a roadway designation ceremonies, ribbon cuttings, ground breakings and special announcements.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of and familiarity with social media


• Knowledge of the concepts of grammar, punctuation and plain language

Skills in:

• Skilled in the use software to design newsletters, flyers and websites


• Skilled in strong written and verbal communication

Ability to:

• Ability to organize and manage special events


• Ability to use software applications


• Ability to problem solve, analyze issues and create action plans


• Ability to set and manage priorities and meet deadlines

Other Job-Related Requirements:

• Employee will be required to be responsive to emergency situations within a very short timeframe and serve in the Transportation Emergency Management Team.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Six years of experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Journalism, Communication, Advertising, Public Relations or Marketing can substitute for four (4) years of the required experience. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Journalism, Communication, Advertising, Public Relations or Marketing can substitute for six (6) years of the required experience

The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Health insurance (over 90% employer paid)


• $25,000 life insurance policy (100% employer paid)


• Dental, vision and supplemental insurances


• State of Florida retirement package


• 10 paid holidays a year


• Generous vacation and sick leave


• Tuition waiver for public college courses

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS), unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES THE SERVICE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE GIVEN TO OUR COUNTRY AND SUPPORTS THE HIRING OF RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS AND MILITARY SPOUSES. If you are a preference-eligible applicant who receives notice of a hiring decision and believe that you were not afforded employment preference in accordance with applicable Florida law and regulation, you may file a written complaint within 60 calendar days from the date you receive the notice, requesting an investigation to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Division of Benefits and Assistance, 9500 Bay Pines Boulevard, Room 214, St. Petersburg, Florida 33708.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affican

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes,candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law, 110.211 F. S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer.