Special Assistant

NYS Department of Transportation; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NYS Department of Transportation seeks a seasoned communications professional to oversee the Region 5 public information program. You will work independently, but coordinate with the Department and the public, crafting press releases and materials for multi-regional public meetings.

As the regional spokesperson, you will manage communications for the Region 5 office, serve as the media contact during extreme weather events, and liaise with the regional director and community on various projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with at least three years of relevant experience in public/media relations, social media, and digital communications.
• Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or an associate’s degree with two years of specialized experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the public information program for NYS DOT Region 5 (Western NY).
• Serve as regional spokesperson for news media and oversee region communications.
• Act as media contact during extreme weather events.
• Represent the agency at public events and advise on public relations matters.
• Perform internal communications and targeted messaging within the region.

Skills

Public relations

Social media

Writing

Crisis communications

On-camera presence

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

• Overseeing the public information program in the NYSDOT Region 5 (Western NY) region.
• Working independently while communicating within the Department and the public, including writing Department documents such as press releases and materials for multi-regional public meetings.
• Serving DOT as regional spokesperson for news media, and overseeing communications for the Region 5 office
• Serving as the point of contact for media in the region during extreme weather events.
• Serve as key liaison to the regional director and senior staff, and liaison to the community as needed through various projects.
• Represent the agency at public events including but not limited to public meetings, open houses, job fairs and stakeholder meetings.
• Advise Regional Director and main office communications staff on public relations matters within the regions.
• Perform internal communications functions within the region as needed, including targeted messages from the Regional Director and the regional Intradot.
• Critical thinking and strong writing skills required. On camera experience preferred.
• Responsible for social media account representing NYSDOT 5.
• Active knowledge of the Incident Command System, which is critical during emergency situations. Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Duties Description

Duties include but is not limited to:

• Overseeing the public information program in the NYSDOT Region 5 (Western NY) region.
• Working independently while communicating within the Department and the public, including writing Department documents such as press releases and materials for multi-regional public meetings.
• Serving DOT as regional spokesperson for news media, and overseeing communications for the Region 5 office
• Serving as the point of contact for media in the region during extreme weather events.
• Serve as key liaison to the regional director and senior staff, and liaison to the community as needed through various projects.
• Represent the agency at public events including but not limited to public meetings, open houses, job fairs and stakeholder meetings.
• Advise Regional Director and main office communications staff on public relations matters within the regions.
• Perform internal communications functions within the region as needed, including targeted messages from the Regional Director and the regional Intradot.
• Critical thinking and strong writing skills required. On camera experience preferred.
• Responsible for social media account representing NYSDOT 5.
• Active knowledge of the Incident Command System, which is critical during emergency situations. Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Responsibilities may include serving a role within the Incident Command System to support the department’s response to regional and statewide emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree and three years of relevant experience.*

• Substitutions: four years of specialized experience (four years of experience in public/media relations, social media, and digital communications) or associate’s degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience.

Additional Comments

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

The salary range listed reflects the full range for this graded position. For new State employees appointed into graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts. For more salary information please visit https://oer.ny.gov/salary-schedules

DOT is an equal opportunity employer. Disabled persons are encouraged to apply.

In compliance with Public Law 99-603, candidates selected for appointment must provide an original document to prove their citizenship and/or legal right to work in the United States. Candidates for employment must have proper authorization to work in the United States at the time an offer of employment is made. The Department will not sponsor a nonimmigrant for a temporary employment visa (H-1B or similar), OPT STEM, or for permanent residence. Offers of permanent employment may not be made to nonimmigrants whose employment authorization is limited to a period of practical training (F-1 or similar).