STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER - 55000372

Requisition No: 876779 

Agency: Department of Transportation

Working Title: STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER - 55000372

 Pay Plan: SES

Position Number: 55000372 

Salary:  $60,948.04 - $78,873.94 

Posting Closing Date: 07/26/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

JOB POSTING DESCRIPTION

912 / Public Information Office

OPEN COMPETITIVE

SELECTED EXEMPT SERVICE

FULL-TIME

Previous applicants need not reapply.

CONTACT PERSON: Natalie Lowers

CONTACT PHONE NUMBER: 850-414-5211

CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS: Natalie.Lowers@dot.state.fl.us

HIRING SALARY RANGE: $2, 344.16 - $3,033.61 /biweekly range / $60,948.04 - $78,873.94 /annual range

Join FDOT and be part of the team that works as one to improve safety, enhance mobility and inspire innovation in the Florida transportation system.

To ensure honesty and transparency, all applicants must provide their own work. Unless explicitly requested, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist with qualifying questions, work samples, or interviews is strictly prohibited, and any breach of this requirement will lead to the applicant being removed from consideration.

Candidates must be United States (U.S.) citizens or lawfully authorized alien workers.  Visa sponsorship is not available.

Our Mission

The mission of the Florida Department of Transportation is to provide a safe statewide transportation system that promotes the efficient movement of people and goods, supports the state’s economic competitiveness, prioritizes Florida’s environment and natural resources, and preserves the quality of life and connectedness of the state’s communities.

Our Vision

As a OneFDOT team, we serve the people of Florida by providing a transportation network that is well planned, supports economic growth, and has the goal of being congestion and fatality free.

The Work You Will Do:

As part of FDOT Communications, you’ll be part of a fast-paced team that helps tell FDOT’s story.

The Difference You Will Make:

Through cooperation, coordination and collaboration among the OneFDOT team, you will be contributing to a strong and empowering culture of TRREC: Trust, Relationships, Respect, Empowerment, and Communication. 

How You Will Grow:

FDOT encourages our team members to grow through engagement, empowerment, training, and professional development.  Through our agency’s learning management system, you have access to hundreds of computer-based training and instructor-led courses. 

Where You Will Work:

Burns Building – 605 Suwannee Street, Tallahassee, Florida

Annual Salary Range:

60,948.04 - $78,873.94

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This position develops strategic and targeted messaging to be used in internal and external communications as well as educational campaigns; serves as a spokesperson and point of contact for FDOT media relations; plans and coordinates news events and writes/edits news releases and articles; and assists with management of the Office of Communications in the absence of the Communications Director and Deputy Communications Director. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Assists the Communications Director and Deputy Communications Director with strategic planning and messaging for the Communications Office. Assists with the development of Office of Communications annual strategic plan, the social media strategic plan and overall strategic communications plans. Assists with developing communication guidelines and templates for the Communications Office and the Department. Assists with the research and writing of speeches, messages, speaking points and responses for the Secretary of Transportation. Assists in responding to inquiries and issues from the Governor's Office, elected officials, the media, the public, and other agencies. Assists in message development for key transportation issues affecting the department.

Serves as contact for department media relations. Identifies media opportunities and strategies to proactively communicate the Department's mission and provide information to the public. Writes, edits and publishes news releases and articles for internal and external publication. Coordinates press events as necessary. Writes speeches and talking points for members, including executive level staff. Represents the Department through on-air broadcasts, public speaking and community engagements. scripts to communicate the Department's mission to the public. Assists in managing messaging and strategy on department social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Manages and strategizes department internal communications. Manages strategic internal communications initiatives to ensure members of the department are engaged in department efforts and activities. Strategizes opportunities for department leadership to interact with members of the department to help create a cohesive and collaborative culture. Create video scripts for internal communications efforts, which can be shared externally as well.

The Successful Candidate will have the following required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

KNOWLEDGEABLE OF JOURNALISTIC WRITING STYLE AND THE CONCEPTS OF GRAMMAR, PUNCTUATION AND ASSOCIATED PRESS STYLE. KNOWLEDGEABLE AND SKILLED MICROSOFT WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT, PUBLISHER, OUTLOOK AT AN INTERMEDIATE LEVEL. SKILLED IN IN TAKING TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND TRANSLATING INTO PLAIN LANGUAGE THAT THE PUBLIC CAN UNDERSTAND. ABILITY TO RESEARCH AND WRITE NEWS RELEASES AND REPORTS AND NEWSLETTERS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING. SKILLED IN STRONG WRITTEN AND VERBAL COMMUNICATION. KNOWLEDGEABLE AT PERFORMING BASIC MATHMATICAL CALCULATIONS. ABILITY TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS. KNOWLEDGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA. SKILLED IN DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC IN A PROMPT AND COURTEOUS MANNER. ABILITY TO ORGANIZE AND MANAGE MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS. ABILITY TO SET AND MANAGE PRIORITIES. ABILITY TO REMAIN CALM AND BE EFFECTIVE UNDER PRESSURE.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS), unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION VALUES AND SUPPORTS EMPLOYMENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.  QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  In accordance with Section 110.112, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation’s Individuals with Disabilities Affirmative Action Plan, the agency is committed to ensuring affirmative action and equal employment opportunity for qualified individuals with disabilities.  Upon request and as appropriate, reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities may be provided.  Please contact the Florida Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Office at (850) 414-5300 for assistance.  

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Salary : $60,948 - $78,874