Director Of Public Information

Description

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

(additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $

New hires are paid the starting rate. Current employees' pay rate is determined by their job title and years of service

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 09/10/2026

Under direction of the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Planning and Policy, this role serves as the "Director of Outreach and Engagement" to plan, coordinate, and manage public information, engagement and education activities for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and performs related duties as required.

• Supervises and monitors professional staff responsible for the preparation of brochures, pamphlets, and other public information materials to promote the department's programs and services
• Develops strategies (e.g., branding, advertising, and social media plans) to effectively market departmental programs and services
• Directs and coordinates the research, development, and preparation of written and oral responses to inquiries from public agencies and community groups
• Represents the department at community meetings in order to engage with the public of departmental programs and services
• Develops policies and procedures for the dissemination of public information via written, oral, and electronic means (e.g., department website)
• Evaluates and trains professional public engagement staff and consultant
• Coordinates efforts with staff in order to organize city-wide conferences and exhibits
• Manages and applies for grants to fund CDOT's public engagement work

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location:

2 N LaSalle St

Days:
Monday - Friday

Hours:

8:30am - 4:30pm

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

• Nine (9) years of work experience in the development and implementation of public information programs, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position,
  OR
• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a directly related field, plus seven (7) years of work experience in the development and implementation of public information programs, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position,
  OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of work experience in the development and implementation of public information programs, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position,
  OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a directly related field, plus four (4) years of work experience in the development and implementation of public information programs, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, will be selected.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:
To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience, the City of Chicago has adopted ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States, residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA), and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders.

For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor

APPLICATION EVALUATION:
Initial evaluation will be based on the information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required employment/hiring plan provisions, federal, state, and local laws, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago