Bilingual Media and Communications Officer

Job Title

Bilingual Media and Communications Officer – Texas Division of Emergency Management, Department of Media and Communications Section.

Requested Salary: Proposed minimum $6,666.67 monthly ($80,000.04 – $94,500.00 annually). Salary is commensurate with experience and will be determined by the Division Chief.

Location: Austin, Texas.
Job Type: Staff. This position is on‑site only and is not subject to telecommuting.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is an emergency response entity. This role may require extended hours, weekends, holidays, and flexible duties as needed. The Officer will develop a cohesive media and communications strategy, oversee content development for public information distribution, promote agency initiatives, respond to media inquiries, draft and distribute press releases, schedule or conduct interviews, and manage crisis communications.

The Officer will conduct multicultural outreach across the state, collaborate with state emergency management council public information officers, support public information coordination, and operate the state’s Joint Information Center. Duties include managing the media and communications budget, maintaining quality control of all agency releases, establishing priorities and measurement tools, and evaluating program activities.

$6,666.67 – $7,875.00 monthly ($80,000.04 – $94,500.00 annually).

Selected candidates will complete a skill assessment demonstrating proficiency in translating from English to Spanish in both verbal and written exercises.

• Develop a cohesive communications strategy in collaboration with the Section Chief, Media and Communications, division staff, and executive management.
• Respond to media inquiries, provide on‑camera interviews, coordinate press conferences, and draft and distribute press releases and executive speeches.
• Translate content for publication across agency platforms and support multicultural communications outreach in multiple languages.
• Collaborate with TDEM Media and Communications staff to address internal and external communication objectives, including disaster‑specific public information campaigns.
• Manage a joint information center during declared disasters in partnership with state emergency management council agency communication directors.
• Maximize existing and new communication assets and channels (e.g., website, marketing collateral, social media).
• Maintain and update these channels to ensure a high‑quality presence.
• Develop, establish, and implement goals and objectives aligned with the agency’s strategic plan.
• Provide pre‑emptive planning and crisis communications management.
• Maintain quality control of all information released by the agency.
• Travel up to 50%; drive as required; face‑to‑face interactions are required.
• Maintain a regular attendance schedule, work extended hours when needed, and perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) years of related experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Advanced degree may offset experience requirements on a year‑for‑year basis (one year of experience equals thirty semester hours).

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas, and of public administration principles.
• Extensive knowledge of all areas of the agency.
• Experience as a public information officer.
• Excellent leadership, management, interpersonal, critical‑thinking, and analytical skills.
• Superior written and verbal communication, presentation, and social‑media content creation skills.
• Ability to read, write, and…