Communications Director; PCN: Statewide

Communications Director (PCN: 25-1833)

Shape the Voice of Transportation in Alaska

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities connects communities across one of the most complex and visible transportation systems in the country.

As the Director of Communications, you will lead how DOT&PF communicates critical issues, builds public trust, and tells the story of transportation in Alaska. This leadership role operates at the intersection of executive decision‑making, policy, media relations, and public engagement.

As the Department’s Communications Director you will lead enterprise‑wide communications strategy and execution for DOT&PF. Serving as the department’s Public Information Officer and primary spokesperson, you will ensure DOT&PF is a trusted, responsive, and authoritative source of information for the public, media, elected officials, stakeholders, and employees.

This role requires strategic leadership and hands‑on execution. You will advise the Commissioner and executive leadership on messaging, public perception, emerging issues, and communications risk, while also leading real‑time media response, public messaging, crisis communications, and stakeholder engagement. You will manage high‑visibility initiatives, sensitive issues, and fast‑moving communications needs across a large, decentralized department.

Key responsibilities include ensuring department communications are clear, consistent, accurate, and timely across divisions, regions, and major program areas; coordinating closely with internal teams, partner agencies, media, legislators, communities, industry representatives, and the public to support department priorities; strengthening public understanding of DOT&PF’s work; and supporting legislative communications during the session.

During the legislative session you will work with the department’s Legislative Liaison to support communications related to legislative priorities, inquiries, testimony, briefing materials, and public‑facing messaging, and track and respond to issues with legislative, political, public, or media impact.

Additionally, you will lead and support the communications team, strengthen internal communication and employee engagement, and improve the tools, processes, and strategies used to communicate with the public and within the department.

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities operates one of the most geographically complex and visible transportation systems in the country. DOT&PF is responsible for 237 airports, 10 ferries serving 35 communities, more than 5,600 miles of highways, and over 700 public facilities statewide.

Our work connects Alaskans to communities, jobs, health care, schools, goods, emergency services, and opportunities across vast, remote, and challenging environments. As a department, we focus on strengthening service delivery, improving coordination, modernizing how infrastructure is managed, and supporting safe, reliable transportation across Alaska.

Working for Alaska DOT&PF means serving a mission with statewide visibility and real public impact. Our work connects communities, supports economic development, provides access to essential services, and keeps Alaskans informed about one of the most complex transportation systems in the country.

This role offers the opportunity to lead communications at the highest levels of the department, advise executive leadership, shape public messaging, and guide how DOT&PF communicates with Alaskans, the media, elected officials, stakeholders, and employees.

We are seeking a strategic, decisive, and experienced communicator who can lead in complex, fast‑moving, and high‑visibility environments. The ideal candidate will bring strong judgment, executive presence, and the ability to communicate clearly under pressure.

The position requires a leader who can advise senior executives, manage sensitive issues, support crisis and emergency communications, and develop messaging that builds trust with the public, media, elected officials, employees, and…