The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) is seeking an experienced professional with strong verbal and written communication skills, experience in public and/or government relations, management experience, and has worked for or with state or local government. Knowledge of the ever-changing transportation industry is preferred. The successful applicant
will be responsible for building and managing the Agency's public engagement program as well providing strategic communications support to NDOR's District staff, Government Affairs Office and the Director's Office. Position is the interface between NDOR and its partners, customers, and stakeholders working to promote awareness of and value of the highway/transportation operations and projects within Nebraska.
Job Duties:
-Oversees the Public Involvement and Outreach Sections of the
NDOR Communications Division to develop and maintain an active listening network
-Manages channels of communication to enable proactive engagement with the public and stakeholders on specific transportation projects
-Develops policy change recommendations on potential issues that impact NDOR
-Develops and maintains a strategic plan for implementing an intergovernmental community engagement section. Serves as the spokesperson/representative for NDOR on behalf of the Communications Division Manager
-Answers media inquiries
-Facilitates public meetings, internal meetings, and stakeholder
meetings, and any NDOR program hearings and Highway Commission meetings.
-Serves as the principal writer for NDOR covering various topics
-Prepares draft NDOR publications, legislative testimony, talking points for senior agency staff, and press releases
-Reviews and edits drafts of various agency presentations. -Provides recommendations and guidance to the Communications Division Manager and the Director's Office on strategies to improve customer service and stakeholder relations and build public trust in Agency initiatives.
-Confers with the agency's Government Affairs Office to manage and advocate specific policy issues and develop position papers, policy papers, and appropriate data for stakeholders, Highway Commission members, and agency staff
-Facilitates communication and cooperation among diverse
groups.
-Confers with external partners, industry associations, chambers of commerce, and State government and local jurisdictions to identify and share best practices for the agency and these groups.
-Serves as the special projects coordinator for the Division, and reports on plans, progress, and outcomes to the Communications Manager.
-Supervises assigned employees to include identification of priorities, goals, and performance standards
-Provides training and performance development to these employees.
Qualifications/Requirements:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in communications (such as public relations or journalism), general administration, project management, policy analysis/evaluation, engineering, or similar fields, and three years of experience in preparing and communicating information to the public; or coordinating advocacy groups or
community based organizations; or coordinating promotional/publicity campaigns; or interpreting and applying laws, rules, and regulations.
-Additional years of experience as described above may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year or equivalent basis.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
-Master's Degree in Public Administration, Communications,
Community and Regional Planning or similar fields.
-Direct experience working in/with the highway/ transportation industry.
-Experience working with and and/or advocating for public interest groups, citizens and/or communities.
-Experience serving as a spokesperson for groups/companies.
-Experiencedeveloping and implementing strategic plans.
-Direct experience working with public/media relations.
OTHER:
-A valid driver's license or the ability to provide independent authorized transportation is required. Must be available
for statewide overnight travel. Regular and reliable attendance is also required.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Knowledge of:
-Nebraska transportation needs, issues, constraints, and practices; the needs and concerns of various diverse
communities, interest, economic, business, and social groups;
-The principles and practices of public/media relations and customer services; the policies and requirements relative to agency and State financial, personnel, and purchasing administrative practices; the transportation project delivery and
program management process and schedules
-Transportation construction process and schedules.
Ability to:
-Communicate via a wide variety of media and formats with diverse groups and individuals; identify the best approach
to providing information on agency plans and goals
-Develop and foster working relationships and advocate NDOR goals, initiatives, and solutions in an effective manner;
-Identify pros and cons of alternative solutions and recommendations to explain agency goals and policies.
The Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) is responsible for the planning, development, design, construction, maintenance and administration of the state highway system. Preserving the billions of dollars Nebraskans have invested in their state highway system, making the highways safe and efficient, and accomplishing this in a timely and cost-effective manner are the goals of the State Department of Roads. The Department of Roads is responsible for overseeing and maintaining an infrastructure network that includes:
-nearly 10,000 miles of highways,
-more than 3,500 bridges,
-599 buildings in 119 locations,
-an equipment fleet of over 2,100 cars, pickups, trucks and graders.
Nebraska’s state highway system is paid for totally by highway user taxes and fees. The three major sources of revenue are the motor fuel tax, motor vehicle registrations and related fees, and the sales tax on motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers. It is important to remember that Nebraska’s major highway user revenue is shared between the state, counties and cities.
How to apply:
Please go to http://www.statejobs.nebraska.gov and apply directly online by the
closing date.
Due: February 17, 2017