Strategic Communications Manager 2026-02415

State of Wyoming; Wyoming; On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Travel opportunities

Public service loan forgiveness”

Job summary

Wyoming Game and Fish Department seeks a Strategic Communications Manager to lead proactive storytelling and serve as a strategic advisor to agency leadership from its Cheyenne Headquarters. This role bridges field personnel with the public, overseeing media strategy, crisis communication, science translation, and digital outreach for over half a million constituents.

You will partner with regional teams, game wardens, and biologists to craft compelling content, guide policy communications, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in strategic communications, journalism, science communications, public relations, public policy, marketing, or wildlife management (with a communications focus).
• Experience as a strategic communications professional, with media relations and public affairs background.
• Ability to translate complex wildlife science into accessible public content.
• Proven ability to guide agency leadership through high-stakes public conversations.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and execute an annual statewide media plan highlighting conservation milestones and public opportunities.
• Coordinate with eight regional teams to harvest and amplify field content to statewide audiences.
• Serve as primary statewide media spokesperson during wildlife or public safety incidents; provide crisis toolkits.
• Translate biological data and regulatory changes into clear press releases and digital content.
• Oversee digital outreach and management of statewide email communications to 500,000+ constituents.
• Develop campaigns with measurable outcomes in collaboration with agency leadership.

Skills

Media strategy

Crisis communication

Public relations

Science translation

Content creation

Public speaking

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in strategic communications/public relations/science communications

Job description

“Conserving Wildlife, Serving People.” Are you a strategic communicator who thrives at the intersection of natural resource conservation and public service? Do you have a passion for Wyoming’s rich outdoor heritage, a talent for turning complex wildlife science into compelling stories, and the poise to navigate high-stakes public conversations?

Open Until Filled

Position Overview

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) is seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking Strategic Communications Manager (SCM) to join our team at the Cheyenne Headquarters. Reporting directly to the Communications and Education Division Chief, this is not a traditional, reactive press role. You will be a proactive storyteller, a strategic advisor to agency leadership, and an essential bridge between our technical field personnel and the passionate public we serve.

If you are ready to champion the narrative of Wyoming's wildlife management, work alongside dedicated game wardens and biologists, and elevate how our agency engages with over half a million constituents, we want to hear from you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Proactive Media Strategy: Formulate and execute an annual statewide media plan that highlights conservation milestones, habitat restoration projects, research breakthroughs, and public recreation opportunities.
• Hub-and-Spoke Regional Coordination: Partner closely with Regional Information and Education (I&E) Supervisor and I&E Specialists across the state’s eight regions to harvest raw field content (from game wardens, biologists, and fish culturists), polish assets, and amplify them to statewide and national audiences.
• Crisis & Incident Management: Serve as the primary statewide media spokesperson during high-profile wildlife or public safety incidents, executing the department’s emergency communications protocol and providing strategic "crisis toolkits" to support regional offices.
• Science Translation & Content Creation: Translate highly dense biological data, complex harvest quotas, and changing hunting/fishing regulations into clear, engaging, and accessible press releases, digital content, and public-facing documents.
• Enterprise Digital Outreach: Oversee content strategy for the department’s primary digital channels, managing the distribution of mass public messaging to a statewide e-mail network of over 500,000 constituents.
• Public Sentiment & Analytical Feedback: Establish digital listening and media monitoring loops to track public trends and concerns, providing regular intelligence briefings to the Division Chief to help shape proactive agency policy.
• Supervise the Statewide Communications Specialist and oversee the development of the weekly media packet, communicating the Department’s top priority news.
• Work closely with the Director and Governor’s Office on controversial and sensitive wildlife management issues in addition to providing support regarding high-risk matters.
• Respond to statewide communications topics, and conducts interviews in person as well as on TV, radio, and other digital meeting.
• Work with communications team and Department leadership to develop communication campaigns with measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate with licensing, and IT sections to develop direct emails to customers with specific information and messaging related to customer products.
• Work with the Multimedia and Marketing Supervisor to develop and carry out the department's social media strategy.

Ideal Personal Attributes & Success Factors

• Western Outdoor Fluency: A deep respect for and baseline vocabulary regarding Wyoming's hunting, angling, trapping, and trapping-adjacent heritage, coupled with an empathetic understanding of the viewpoints of landowners, sportsmen, and conservationists.
• Strategic & Predictive Instinct: The capability to look at upcoming regulatory framework changes and accurately project how different public factions will react, shifting the communications posture in advance.
• The "Shield" Demeanor: Unshakeable composure under intense public or media scrutiny, with the ability to manage chaotic news cycles calmly while protecting field personnel from media distractions.
• Diplomatic Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal skills to build trust across varied divisions, navigate internal silos, and foster a true peer-to-peer partnership with regional staff.
• Text & Narrative Agility: Mastery of the active voice, with an ability to write punchy, scannable text under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with a Bachelor's degree in a field related to strategic communications, journalism, science communications, public relations, public policy, marketing, or wildlife management (with a communications focus).

Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of the mission, goals, and objectives of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
• Ability to establish and implement cohesive communication and public relations strategies and plans.
• Experience communicating with the press and other media.
• Skill in examining and re-engineering operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.
• Strong strategic planning and management skills.
• Knowledge of communication principles, media, and public relations techniques.
• Outstanding interpersonal and community relations skills and the ability to communicate and work effectively within a diverse community.
• Employee development and performance management skills.
• Ability to analyze complex problems, interpret operational needs, and develop integrated, creative solutions.
• Organizational planning, structuring, and staffing skills.
• Skill in financial planning and fiscal management.
• Ability to use independent judgment and gather, manage, and impart information to the media and other internal and external audiences.
• Strong knowledge of local and regional media contacts and/or a proven ability to develop such relationships quickly.
• Ability to provide effective advice and counsel on strategic and/or critical communication issues and to exercise effective judgment.
• Ability to write executive-level communications for internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.

Education

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's Degree (typically in Public Relations)

Experience

1-2 years of progressive work experience (typically in Public Relations) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Senior Public Relations Specialist.

OR

4-6 years of progressive work experience (typically in Public Relations) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Senior Public Relations Specialist.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

None

Physical Working Conditions

• Statewide travel is required.

Notes

• FLSA: Exempt
• Successful applicants for employment must pass a background check and credit check before the appointment.
• For any questions regarding this position, please contact Roy Weber at [e-mail] or 307-777-4594.

Human Resource Contact: Dezzaree Schott / [e-mail]

Working for the State of Wyoming means more than a job — it’s a stable, rewarding career that lets you make a difference while enjoying a great quality of life.

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Retirement - Pension and 457B plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities

and MUCH MORE!

No state income tax.

Employees Enjoy

• Comprehensive health coverage – medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family
• Voluntary Benefits – including life insurance for you and family members, ambulance, pet insurance, short/long-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts
• Multiple retirement options – including the Wyoming Retirement System and a 457B account, helping you plan for long-term financial security
• Generous paid leave and flexible schedules – vacation, sick leave, paid FMLA and 9 paid holidays each year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility – for those with qualifying student loans
• Training and professional development – to support your career growth and advancement
• Employee Assistance Program – Includes paid short-term counseling, legal, financial and work-life benefits and select employee discounts
• Wellness Program – Earn paid time off and incentives by focusing on your personal health

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

URL: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wyoming/default.cfm

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