Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Preferred

• 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.