Assistant Public Information Officer

This Regional Administrative position reports to the Region 9 Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director. The Assistant Public Information Officer (APIO) will be responsible for the following:

Direct and manage implementation of the Region's communications and engagement programs in close coordination with regional and central office leadership, including the communications, press, legislative, Great Lakes, Climate, and Environmental Justice and programs.

The APIO will work with leadership to successfully provide direction, support, coordination, and oversight to the full DEC communications and engagement team in the Region in a hybrid/telecommuting environment that involves regional staff based in the Buffalo office; central office press staff stationed at the Buffalo office; educational team based at Reinstein Educational Center; and Great Lakes, Climate, legislative and Environmental Justice staff working from Albany and the region.

In support of the DEC’s matrix management structure, the APIO will work closely with regional and central office leadership, as well as program staff, to:

•Define and implement an annual regional communications and engagement program that effectively communicates key agency messages and builds strong relationships with key stakeholders, particularly local governments and non-governmental entities serving or representing communities most vulnerable to pollution and climate change; Indian Nations; underrepresented entities, state agency partners; academic and career development institutions; and media.

•Plan, oversee, and implement proactive media outreach, including researching opportunities for press releases and events, media interviews and facilitate media inquiries with subject matter experts.

•Respond to media and legislative inquiries in a timely manner, including service as ‘on call’ with other Media Relations staff on designated weekends and evenings;

•Prepare extensive, self-directed writing assignments to help disseminate content, including press releases and media advisories, statements, talking points, Op-eds, and letters to the editor.

•Coordinate regional and central office communications, engagement, and external affairs activities within the six Region 9 counties – including all regional environmental quality and natural resource program communications.

•implement justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion best practices and help foster cultural competency and communications strategies.

•Ensure compliance with agency policies and procedures.

•Supervise regional communications, education, engagement, and related regional administration staff as directed.

•Represent the Department and/or Regional Director at various meetings, conferences, and other functions as appropriate; and

•Monitor and report on the region’s execution against annual performance goals.