COMMUNICATIONS
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Salary:  $36.0576 Hourly

Grade: 26

Closing Date: August 13, 2026

This position serves as a critical senior communications partner to the Assistant Director of Communications and the Agency Director, playing a strategic role in shaping and delivering the public messaging of the Department of Child Safety. Furthermore, this role is accountable for ensuring that communication is consistent, timely, and impactful across all platforms.

• Proactively engages with media outlets to promote agency priorities and enhance public awareness. Acts as the main point of contact for press inquiries, collaborating with leadership and subject matter experts to provide timely, accurate, and policy-aligned responses. Recommends and arranges interviews and media opportunities. Develops and edits press releases, quotes, statements, social media, presentations, and Questions & Answer (Q&A) documents. Drives press release planning and earned media strategies. Represents the agency in interviews and public engagements with professionalism and clarity. Pitches stories and interviews, placing content in targeted media outlets. May require driving on state business.
  
• Cultivates strategic relationships to enhance the agency’s public image. Builds and maintains connections with internal stakeholders and media contacts to support positive press coverage. Expands and updates media outreach lists, identifying new outlets and reporters. Accompanies executive leadership on office visits and external engagements to document activities, highlight key moments, and relay relevant information to the communications team. 
  
• Establishes and maintains relationships across all areas of the department to define goals, set priorities, and facilitate clear, concise communication at all levels of leadership. Works closely with key leaders to track agency initiatives and accomplishments. Ensures Director and Agency Leadership are apprised of current events that may require an Agency response. Maintains up-to-date awareness of agency priorities, child welfare trends, and legislative changes. Tracks strategic initiatives and evolving practices in child welfare, assessing their relevance to departmental goals. Monitors statutory updates and evaluates their impact on agency policies and procedures.
  
• Monitors media coverage to inform agency awareness and innovation. Tracks local and national news daily to identify stories relevant to agency operations, policy areas, and emerging trends. Flags coverage requiring attention and shares key insights across the agency to support strategic communication and creative thinking.
  
• Responds to media requests. Leads media tracking and external communications strategy. Monitors media coverage, press releases, and Public Records Requests (PRRs) to identify trends and inform messaging. Serves as the primary press contact in inter-agency communications meetings. Develops and coordinates agency talking points to ensure consistent, clear, and unified public messaging.
  
• Handles confidential and sensitive material, engage in complex and high-impact work, and exercise considerable independence and discretionary judgment. Acts on behalf of Assistant Director of Communications when needed. Assists in indirectly supervising staff to ensure effective delivery of messaging, & oversees social media strategy, content, & monitoring. Provides cross-functional support on communications initiatives & projects, ensuring collaboration across the team.
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Deep understanding of the media landscape including print, broadcast, and on-line media
  
• Expertise in external facing communications
  
• Best practices related to public engagement and communication methods
  
• Communication techniques that attract public support
  
• User and market research
  
• Project management
  
• Thorough understanding of relevant policy issues to accurately answer media questions
  
• Deep understanding of public affairs and policy to effectively manage media interactions
• Knowledge of social media strategy, digital communications, and media analytics

Skills in:

• Writing, editing and proofreading
  
• Computer use
  
• Drafting press releases, statements, speeches, and other communications with a clear and persuasive style
  
• Building rapport with diverse stakeholders, including journalists, internal teams, and the public
  
• Effectively managing multiple priorities, deadlines, and media inquiries
  
• Presentation and public speaking
  
• Observational and reporting skills
  
• Effective coordination and proper follow-through
  
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking, reading, and writing skills preferred

Ability to:

• Articulate complex information clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally
  
• Effectively communicate to media, staff and constituents
  
• Cognitive thinking; and problem solving
  
• Respond quickly and strategically to negative situations or controversies
  
• Anticipate media trends and develop proactive communication strategies
  
• Craft compelling narratives
  
• Work cooperatively and courteously with others
  
• Handle confidential and sensitive materials
  
• Adapt to changing circumstances
  
• Maintain discretion and confidentiality
  
• To learn the Department of Child Safety (DCS) practices, policies and procedures

Bachelor's Degree in communications or related field.

 Employees must also obtain and maintain clearance of the DCS Central Registry.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business. The following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

As an employee of the Department of Child Safety you will be entitled to a comprehensive benefits package that can become effective as soon as two weeks after starting!

Benefits include:

• Paid sick leave.
  
• Paid vacation that includes ten (10) holidays per year.
  
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
  
• Competitive health and dental insurance plans.
  
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.

We also offer optional employee benefits that include:

• Vision coverage.
• Short-term disability insurance.
• Deferred compensation plans.
• Supplemental life insurance.
• Employee wellness plans

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-255-3141 or by email at ADA@AZDCS.GOV. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Should you have any further questions regarding the interview process you can reach out to a member of our recruitment team at 602-255-2903 or by email at recruiting@azdcs.gov. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.