RRC - Director of Public Affairs

The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry; and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas' website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.

Benefits

To support our mission to serve Texas, we need great people to join our team. We provide a great working environment along with outstanding benefits, including:

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and at least 12 paid holidays per year
• Telework options for eligible positions
• Flexible work schedules
• Retirement pension with a 150% agency match – you can watch this YouTube video that describes this amazing benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJI6M7g73-w
• 401(k), 457(b) and Roth
• Health premiums 100% paid for full-time employees
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness and Exercise Leave
• Career development programs/opportunities for advancement

For a complete list of our total compensation package, please visit our website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/jobs/. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees, visit the Employee Retirement Systems website at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance.

Job Description

The Railroad Commission Director of Public Affairs performs highly advanced, senior-level managerial work, providing direction and guidance on strategic operations and planning for internal and external communications, public engagement, outreach, and educational work. Primary work involves establishing a strategic plan for internal and external communications, along with goals and objectives, to effectively communicate the Commission's duties, responsibilities, and activities to the public and stakeholders in a proactive, creative manner. Work also involves directing and evaluating the research, writing, editing, branding, graphic design, and audio/visual production of informational programs, agency websites, social media channels, and materials for release to news media and for use by the agency, the public, and other agencies. Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others. Manage the agency's crisis communications when necessary. Works as a member of the executive team under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position reports to the Commission's Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director.

Please note: All applicants are required to attach a media/communications-related writing sample.

Essential Job Functions

• Develop and implement effective short-term and long-term communications and public engagement strategies and plans.
• Direct all program areas and activities related to the Communications Department and the Office of Public Engagement.
• Provide guidance and assistance to staff in the areas of internal and external communications, public outreach, assistance, and engagement activities.
• Review relevant guidelines, procedures, rules, and regulations in assigned areas; monitor compliance.
• Proactively deliver effective communications to the public, stakeholders, and other target audiences through creative materials and events.
• Oversee all media engagement proactively. Maintain effective media relations and oversee media inquiries and responses.
• Oversee strategic and day-to-day social media planning and engagement.
• Direct the preparation and distribution of organizational publications, news, informational releases, and agency media productions such as audio, video, flyers, and newsletters.
• Oversee the illustrative, photographic, or audiovisual content of products.
• Oversee the Railroad Commission (RRC) brand management.
• Develop and foster relationships with local, state, national, and international media to advance the understanding of RRC duties, responsibilities, and activities of the agency.
• Develop and establish internal and external goals and objectives consistent with the agency's strategic plan.
• Identify the need to revise program areas and activities; make recommendations on best practices, and implement solutions to business issues in the assigned area.
• Consult and advise agency leaders and staff about public communications strategies.
• Represent the agency at business meetings, hearings, legislative sessions, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees as assigned.
• Oversee the planning and implementation of public communications programs, conferences, seminars, workshops, and public hearings.
• Oversee communications programs to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and guide interest in agency programs.
• Prepare and conduct speeches, press conferences, or meetings.
• Develop and approve website content and content strategies.
• Serve as RRC Accessibility Coordinator. Manage usability assessments and testing of web and other informational materials.
• Plan, develop, and approve schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals, and direct evaluation activities.
• Plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• This position requires some travel.

For Military Crosswalk information, please visit: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in journalism, public relations, communications, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively increasing responsibility in media relations (e.g., print/broadcast journalism, public relations, or communications) and public communications.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in managing a public relations team.
• Demonstrated experience as a media spokesperson.
• Demonstrated experience in social media engagement.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic communication planning and messaging.
• Demonstrated experience in the writing and publication of speeches, op-eds, news releases, memos, white papers, fact sheets, brochures, and related materials.
• Education and experience may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.
• Years of experience may run concurrently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in the Texas state government.
• Knowledge of the Texas legislative process.
• Experience working for an elected official as a spokesperson or in a senior media relations role.
• Experience in communications, public engagement, journalism, or media.
• Experience working for a public relations and/or public affairs firm.
• Experience in reputation and issues management.
• Experience working in the oil and gas industry.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of news and communications media.
• Knowledge of editing and preparing informational material for distribution to a wide audience.
• Knowledge of social media best practices and ability to adapt to rapidly changing social media engagement tactics.
• Knowledge of Texas media publishing and broadcast industries.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices associated with media relations, public relations, and strategic communications.
• Knowledge of best practices for internal organizational communication.
• Skill in effective, creative communication, written, verbal, and digital.
• Skill in the design of communications plans and materials, editorial concepts, and digital practices.
• Skill in composing content for the Web and social media tools.
• Skill in the preparation of copy and of scripts.
• Skill in forming and maintaining positive and productive working relationships at all organizational levels, both internally and externally, within the Commission.
• Skill in operating telephones, computers, and applicable computer software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook.
• Skill in handling multiple priorities efficiently.
• Skill in demonstrating attention to detail and accuracy of information.
• Ability to think creatively to achieve effective communication.
• Ability to proactively implement communications strategies for desired results.
• Ability to quickly learn and understand agency functions, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to plan, assign, and/or manage the work of others.
• Ability to direct and organize program activities, including seminars and events relevant to the assignment.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with the media.
• Ability to learn, understand, and interpret oil and gas policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain trust and credibility with management, colleagues, and direct reports.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in any situation.
• Ability to reach high and low; open, close, and retrieve files from file cabinets; and lift and/or carry equipment up to 25 pounds.

Please review the full job description for more information on Work Hours, Telework, and more information regarding applicant requirements.

THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS ONLY ACCEPTS ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide. The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or in the provision of services. The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.