Communications Director

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: 

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Communications Director oversees the Agency’s statewide information, education, and outreach work; develops and implements communication strategies and guides public information campaigns and strategies for the Department. Develops and implements media, marketing, and communications plans and strategies to guide overall outreach efforts. Works closely with the Game and Fish Commission, Governor’s Office, and Director’s Office on high-priority projects and planning efforts affecting the Agency and the State of Wyoming. Serves as a member of the Game and Fish Department’s Leadership Team, which collectively addresses management issues, policies, and priorities for the Agency. Provides supervision over several programs, including Conservation Education, Hunter Education, Hunter/Angler Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation; Publications; Video Production; Graphic Design; Human Dimensions; and Customer Outreach Services.

Human Resource Contact: Dezzaree Schott / dezzaree.schott@wyo.gov 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed at the job level.

• Serves as a member of the Agency’s leadership team, addressing high priorities and important management and policy issues.
• Guides public information campaigns, strategies, and overall outreach efforts for the Agency.
• Develops and implements media, marketing, and communications plans and strategies.
• Works closely with the Director’s Office and the Governor’s Office to address conservation information and education issues and priorities.
• Evaluate and report on the effectiveness of communications activities.
• Demonstrates effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills that keep our clients, partners, and colleagues informed and engaged.
• Supervises the Agency’s public information officer.
• Directs and supervises a staff of professional employees.
• Directs and supervises several critical programs, including Conservation Education, Hunter Education, Hunter/Angler Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation; Publications; Video Production; Graphic Design; Human Dimensions; and Customer Outreach Services.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES/**AGENCY REQUIREMENTS: 

Preference may be given to those with experience or training in communications, education and/or marketing.

**Must have a valid driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE: 

• The ability to transform information into strategic and useful messages and disseminate it to the right audiences through the best distribution channels.
• Highly collaborative skills; experience developing and implementing communications strategies.
• Excellent writing/editing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently.
• High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels.
• Self-starter, able to work independently, enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives.
• Knowledge of public information and media practices; knowledge of marketing principles, brand creation, integrity, and targeted messaging.
• Knowledge of conservation education programs; knowledge of publication production; knowledge of recruitment and retention principles; knowledge of principles, concepts, and current practices of Wyoming State Government, including budget development and management, and purchasing.
• Knowledge of personnel management; knowledge of wildlife management and state wildlife agency operations.
• Skill in communicating issues to a wide array of professionals and laypersons.
• Skill in oral and written communications; skill in interpersonal relations; skill in fiscal control and budget preparation.
• Skill in decision-making and directing, and delegating work activities; skill in prioritizing allocation of finite personnel and financial resources to meet intra- and inter-departmental needs.
• Open to and thoughtfully considers the ideas, input, and perspectives of others.
• Demonstrates flexibility to adapt to changing situations, needs, and environments

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:
Bachelor’s Degree

Experience:  
3-5 years of progressive work experience with acquired knowledge at the level of a Public Relations Supervisor

OR

Education & Experience Substitution:
6-8 years of progressive work experience with acquired knowledge at the level of a Public Relations Supervisor

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:  
None 

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Statewide travel is required.

NOTES: 

• FLSA: Exempt
• Successful applicants must pass a background check before appointment.
• Submit a letter of interest (limit 1 page) and resume to Eric Wiltanger, Deputy Director, Wyoming Game and Fish Dept. eric.wiltanger@wyo.gov,  with your application.

Supplemental Information

040-Wyoming Game and Fish Department – Communications & Education

Click here to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.

URL: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wyoming/default.cfm

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.