Public Information Officer

Job Opportunity

Public Information Officer (PIO) Position #00052741

The Office of the State Engineer is seeking a highly motivated Public Information Officer to support

communications, media relations, and public outreach. The ideal candidate will supervise one employee,

manage press inquiries, prepare official statements, coordinate public messaging, and ensure clear, accurate

information is shared with the community. This position requires strong writing, organizational, and

interpersonal skills are essential. It is an at-will New Mexico Governor Exempt Position offering full-time

employment, competitive benefits, and retirement. For additional information, please visit the

www.ose.nm.state.nm.us. Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to

elizabeth.anderson@ose.nm.gov by Friday October 16, 2026.

Job Description

The Planning and Communication Division Director plans, develops, and communicates policies and

procedures governing the daily activities of the OSE/ISC. It supports communications, media relations, and

public outreach. Strategic planning and effective communication are both critical areas of focus for the

OSE/ISC. Public communication is essential to planning activities that integrate resource-based science and

public policy, while complying with both state and federal law. In passing the State Water Planning authorizing legislation) NMSA 72-14-3.1), the New Mexico Legislature recognizes the importance of water planning as a strategic management tool.

This position manages the daily activities of the Planning and Communication Bureau, which includes the

duties below, but is not limited to the following;

• Manages the planning and communication budget

• Supervises a team of water planners, public relations specialists, and interns.

• Supervises the State Water Plan Review and Update (which includes public outreach

meetings around the state). NMSA 72-14-3.1 requires a review of New Mexico State Water Plan every

five years and to subsequently update the plan as needed.

• Directs Regional Water Planning activities, and integration of those into the State Water Plan effort, also

supervised the efforts of the Regional Water Planning Advisory Council (RWPAC), an ad hoc committee

of regional water planners from around the state.

• Supervises media, employee, legislative, and special interests communication.

• Develops strategic plans, communication plans, and crisis communication plans

• Leads public outreach efforts

• Responds to inquiries from national, state, and local news media.

• Prepares the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission Director for media responses, media

interviews, and public presentations.

• Supervises the preparation of annual reports, issue briefs, media releases, brochures and other

publications.

• Serves as liaison for the agency's communication efforts with the Governor's office

• Provides input regarding updates made to the agency's internet web site.

• Edits and supervises production of a quarterly internal and external agency newsletter for proactive

public outreach purposes.

• Develops evaluation tools to measure communication effectiveness.