TWDB 26-11 Director of Agency Communications and Chief Communications Officer (Director III)

Only applicants who apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system will be considered for this position. First time applicants will need to create an account in the CAPPS online application system at Please visit our job opportunities page at for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail visit the CAPPS online application system.

Texas Water Development Boards Mission - Leading the states efforts in ensuring a secure water future for Texas. 

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) offers competitive compensation and benefits package including medical dental vision 401(k) flexible spending and flexible work alternatives so you can have a work/life balance! For more information about these benefits and more visit Texas Water Development Board does not discriminate on basis of race color national origin sex religion sexual orientation age or disability in employment or provision of services programs or activities. 

*Must meet agency in-office requirements*

**To be considered for this position applicants MUST provide FIVE (5) writing samples. The five (5) writing samples MUST be upload in CAPPS Recruit with the State of Texas (SOT) application submission. Applications submitted WITHOUT five (5) writing samples WILL NOT be considered.**

***Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications***

General Description

Performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work administering the daily operations of the Agency Communications Division and provides strategic direction oversight and guidance in advancing the mission of the Texas Water Development Board. Work involves establishing goals and objectives developing guidelines procedures policies rules and regulations schedules priorities and standards for achieving established goals. Writes and edits communications for a variety of stakeholders. Responsible for developing and evaluating budget requests and monitoring budget expenditures. Directs the agencys social media media multi-media publications editorial and graphic design functions. Plans assigns and supervises the work of others. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Assistant Executive Administrator of the Texas Water Development Board.

Essential Job Functions

• Directs the agencys social media media multi-media publications editorial and graphic design functions.
• Plans and develops the agencys messaging and editorial framework.
• Develops reviews evaluates and recommends changes to divisions goals and priorities.
• Identifies appropriate benchmarks and evaluation techniques for communications programs in line with the agencys strategic goals and executive direction and implements new evaluation methods as needed.
• Researches and reviews new communications technologies and strategies to guide division and agency practices.
• Oversees all aspects of the TWDBs biennial Water for Texas conference.
• Develops and reviews budget for Agency Communications.
• Provides direction guidance and assistance on communication issues to staff Board and executive team.
• Represents the agency at conferences committees and other meetings.
• Reviews and approves agency reports graphics print projects and other written materials.
• Reviews approves and monitors social media posts on all social media platforms.
• Plans develops implements coordinates monitors and evaluates department policies and procedures.
• Plans assigns and supervises the work of the Agency Communications Division.
• Provides effective leadership strategic oversight and management of the Agency Communications division.
• Manages all project activities within the division providing technical direction and guidance.
• Authorizes division hiring separations disciplinary actions and employee performance rewards.
• Assigns job duties conducts performance evaluations clarifies roles and responsibilities and monitors and measures performance against goals.
• Evaluates division performance and recommends and leads improvements in support of organizational goals.
• Supports divisions administrative requirements related to organization budget and personnel.
• Ensures the provision of quality customer service from the division to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Manages the performance of direct reports to include timely completion of performance appraisals and follow-through on disciplinary actions as needed.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and disposed of in accordance with the agencys records retention procedures and schedule.
• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position to include attending mandatory training courses.
• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelors degree in in Journalism Communications Public Relations English or a related field.
• Eight years of experience in Media Relations and/or Public Relations.
• Five years of relevant experience leading projects or teams.
• Extensive experience in strategic communications including communication plans and strategic messaging.
• Experience with writing and editing a wide range of materials in a variety of media.
• Experience working with State or local elected or appointed officials.
• Submission of five (5) writing samples with the SOT application.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than eight years of experience in the Media Relations and/or Public Relations fields.
• More than five years of relevant experience leading projects or teams.
• Experience working directly with the Texas legislature or statewide elected or appointed officials in Texas.
• Experience with critical event communications.
• Experience with supervising publications from conception through production.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Knowledge of local state and federal laws and regulations relevant to Agency Communications.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Knowledge of creative design concepts.
• Knowledge of techniques and methods of planning organizing and writing various types of materials.
• Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word and Excel.
• Skills in use of internet email word processing spreadsheet presentation and database software.
• Skills in the use of office equipment.
• Skills in media writing and editing.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure within Texas.
• Ability to meet agency in-office requirements.
• Ability to adhere to work schedules follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to make mature objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
• Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work environment.
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately and on-time with little or no supervision.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
• Ability to complete assigned work on time neatly and in order with infrequent errors.
• Ability to complete tasks and projects in a timely manner and persists until tasks are completed.
• Ability to interpret policies procedures and regulations.
• Ability to provide prompt courteous and accurate assistance and clear and concise communication to agency staff as well as to employees of other political entities and the public both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment and cooperate with supervisors co-workers and others.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and schedule work in order to maintain regular progress on assignments and meet deadlines.
• Ability to stand/sit/move to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to travel 25% of the time primarily within the State of Texas
• Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a drivers license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
• Ability to work shifts that may exceed 8 hours including early mornings nights and weekends.
• Ability to train others.
• Ability to assign and/or supervise the work of others.
• Ability to utilize organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to deliver projects on strict deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with employees Board members executive team media and general public.
• Ability to direct and organize program activities.
• Ability to establish program goals that support the strategic plan.
• Ability to identify problems evaluate alternatives and implements effective solutions.
• Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures prepare reports.
• Ability to plan assign and supervise the work of others. 

Additional Information :

All interested candidates should apply with a State of Texas application via the CAPPS online application system. First time applicants will need to create an account in the CAPPS online application system Please visit our job opportunities page for more information about the Texas Water Development Board and answers to frequently asked questions. To view this position in greater detail visit the CAPPS online application system.

Texas Water Development Board Stephen F. Austin Building

1700 North Congress Ave. Room 670 Austin Texas 78701

Please contact Human Resources for accommodation requests.

Phone:

Email: HR(AT)

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time