Asst To Commissioner, Public Information - Anticipated

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State..Department of Public Safety Opening Date:
October 16, 2026

Closing Date:
November 6, 2026

Job Class: HC03/Confidential SALARY RANGE:
Grade 28 $ 69,472.00 - $/Annually

POSITION LOCATION:

Augusta The Maine Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking a dynamic individual to serve as the Assistant to the Commissioner, Public Information. This position serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for DPS and is responsible for providing responses to media inquiries on some of the most important issues in Maine law enforcement. The position manages the social media platforms of the Department as well as writing and edits news releases, departmental reports, and other informational materials.

The position manages the DPS public relations program. This involves public outreach, coordination with media representatives throughout the state, and keeping the DPS social media sites up to date. The position also provides media training throughout the state and will develop a process to facilitate the flow of information between DPS and the media.

The PIO provides media support for the various entities throughout DPS such as the Maine State Police, the Bureau of Highway Safety, the Fire Marshal’s Office and Maine Drug Enforcement. In this role, the PIO maintains the state’s official homicide list, which assists investigators, prosecutors and the public on the most serious crimes in Maine, including whether the homicides were domestic violence and/or drug related.

The PIO also advises department managers of public communication strategy trends that affect how DPS responds to crime, media relations, and legislative oversight. Due to the nature of the position, hours worked are often outside of the regular business day.

The ideal candidate will have exceptional communication and relationship building skills, training development and implementation experience, be familiar with the State’s budgetary and legislative process, can work and plan beyond the immediate pressures, have the ability to adapt to changing priorities and accept new challenges; and, have a strong commitment to effectiveness and efficiency. The ability to communicate effectively, both in a public speaking forum and through written communication, is essential.

This position reports to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.

Responsibilities:

Coordinates, directs, and provides responses to news media inquiries on some of the most sensitive and important issues in Maine law enforcement, including homicides and major criminal investigations, as well as the programs and activities of the department. This involves the gathering and coordination of such information from expert sources throughout the department, as well as other entities in and out of state government.

Manages the DPS public relations program. This involves public outreach, coordination with media representatives throughout the state, and updating the department’s social media platforms.

Provides media training throughout the state.

Write and edit news releases, department reports, speeches, and other informational material to disseminate information.

Confers with media representatives, photographers, and the public to create awareness of agency activities.

Compiles and edits the state’s official homicide list.

Advises departmental managers of public communication strategy trends.

Provides media support for the various entities within DPS.The background…