Summary
Description
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has a vacancy for a Safety Communications Manager (Marketing and Communications Specialist IV) position located in our Denver headquarters location. This position manages and implements communication strategies for the federal and state highway safety communications and media program and serves as the key spokesperson for traffic safety issues. This position produces various communications tools, such as newsletters, presentations, event coordination, scripts, speaking points and news releases. It also manages consultants and provides strategic direction and oversight into tactical implementation for specific communications projects.
The position creates the safety communications strategy and works to develop effective and relevant campaigns and communications to support the State Highway Safety Plan: Advancing Transportation Safety. This includes directing consultant teams to develop communications strategies and oversee implementation, consistently providing timely and accurate information to internal and external audiences, and act as a spokesperson for safety issues. The position also produces internal/external communications tools as necessary, such as newsletters, presentations, event coordination, scripts, speaking points, news releases, campaign communications plans, as necessary.
Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Creates the safety communications strategy, which includes developing and implementing communications and media plans and projects in support of Colorado’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan including Advancing Transportation Safety priorities.
- Prepares annual budget of up to $3 million, as well as administers and monitors annual budget.
- Manages consultants hired to assist in implementing the safety communications program, including negotiating contracts and task orders.
- Generates media coverage and public and partner awareness of Colorado’s highway safety program and other transportation issues through a wide array of methods including news releases, websites displays, videos, campaigns, special events, presentation and other collateral including serving as the spokesperson.
- Attends press conferences and other communication/safety program events.
- Serves as CDOT’s liaison to and develops positive relationships with several partner agencies. Serves on various task forces.
- Collaborates with external partners to ensure CDOT’s safety campaign aligns well with other efforts.
- Tracks and stays informed on research studies, findings, data, trends and changes in highway safety field at the state and national levels.
- Other job duties as assigned.
Work Environment
-
Your schedule will primarily be 8:00 am – 5:00 pm work hours, Monday-Friday, with the opportunity for a flexible schedule
-
Opportunity to work from home 1-2 days a week after training is completed
-
Some travel required, mostly during work hours throughout Metro Denver/Front Range
-
Occasional overnight travel 1-3 times a year throughout Colorado
-
Required to operate CDOT vehicles
Minimum Qualifications
Experience Only:
-
Four (4) years of professional experience in a field closely related to the major job duties of this position.
-
AND at least three (3) years of relevant experience in public relations and/or public affairs, which included communications planning AND working with paid media.
OR
Education and Experience:
-
A combination of relevant education and experience equal to at least 7 years.
-
Education from a U.S. accredited college or university with coursework in the social sciences, such as anthropology, business administration, communications, English, geography, history, journalism, marketing, planning, public administration, public relations, psychology, sociology, or another field of study related to the duties of this position will be considered.
-
At least three (3) years of professional work experience in public relations and/or public affairs, which included communications planning AND working with paid media.
-
