Salary: PAY RATE: UP TO $41.0957/HOUR (DOE) 

Grade: 24

Closing Date: August 13, 2026

The DEMA Public Relations Chief serves as an agency's communications leader and spokesperson responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering strategic public information, media relations, and outreach efforts for the Department. This position supports emergency and steady-state operations by ensuring timely, accurate, and consistent communication with the public, media, stakeholders, partner agencies, and the Governor’s Communication Office. This role helps strengthen DEMA’s reputation as a trusted source of emergency management information while promoting awareness of Department programs, services, and priorities.

Responsibilities include:
• Serving as the Agency’s primary spokesperson to the public and media including fielding inquiries from all outside entities. The DEMA PRC frequently provides verbal and written communication with agency personnel, stakeholder PIOs and the Governor's office
• Supervising the work of the PIO office, including staff interactions with the public and media, and the preparation of news releases, speeches, talking points, presentations, photographs, new media content, and publications (e.g., brochures, newsletters, and manuals)
• Supporting and assisting other DEMA sections within the Agency with communication strategy, outreach, technical advice and presentation development including facilitating the 'employee idea' program. Coordinates with DEMA PIO partners at all emergency management phases to ensure proportionate situational information awareness. Serves as spokesperson during exercises, trainings and activations.
• Acting as chief content creator for communications material including news releases, social media, online content, program announcements, graphic design, newsletters and official reports.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for all agency public record requests. Coordinates and provides thorough information to requesters, DEMA employees, Legal and the Governor’s office for all external requests for public records.
• Administers the Arizona Emergency Information Network (AzEIN) website, including the Emergency Bulletin System, and its ancillary social media channels. AzEIN provides near real-time emergency information and is updated 24/7/365 by a rotating "on call" PIO.

Knowledge of:
• The principles, practices, and procedures used in public affairs/relations, marketing, and communications.
• Associated Press (AP) style.
• Staff management.
• Social and new media tools, technologies, and etiquette.
• Microsoft Office products.
• Desktop publishing and video, photo, and audio production hardware, software, and formats is a plus.
• Drupal content management system and Photoshop, InDesign, GIMP, or Illustrator is a plus.

Skilled in:
• Effective communication both oral and written
• Prioritizing multiple tasks/projects to meet deadlines.
• Providing supervision and leadership to PIO Staff.
• Leading the development, interpretation, and implementation of a dynamic public information and marketing (e.g., brand development) program.
• Developing collaborative relationships with DEMA stakeholders and partner agencies.
• Proofing materials for accuracy and adherence to Department policies and procedures.
• Writing in a variety of styles and according to Associated Press (AP) style guidelines.
• Operating standard office equipment (e.g., computer, copier, fax machine, etc.).
• Communicating complex concepts in clear, expressive language to the public and media.
• Demonstrable on-camera experience is preferred.

Ability to:
• Process and synthesize complicated concepts and ideas.
• Establish effective working relationships with the public, media, and stakeholders.
• Participate in the development of policies, standards, and procedures.
• Produce professional-quality verbal, written, and electronic communication.
• Serve as the spokesperson during trainings, exercises, and activations.
• Exercise professionalism in interacting/interviewing with the public, media, and stakeholders.
• Present to small and large groups.
• Summarize and communicate complex information.
• Respond to citizen and media requests in a timely and courteous manner.
• Organize, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends, rotating "on-call" shifts, and overtime.

Desired qualifications include any combination of experience, education, and training that meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities as described. The preferred candidate will have 5 years of experience as a communications professional.

Special Job Requirements:
• This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid Arizona state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12.)
• Individual is required to pass a criminal background investigation.
• The incumbent will have a bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, communications, or a related field, and previous experience as a communication professional.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Eligible DEMA employees participate in excellent retirement programs provided by the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and for fire personnel the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact hr@azdema.gov.
DEMA is a smoke-free work environment.
ADA/EEO Employer
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer