RRC - Director of Public Affairs Office of Commissioner Christi Craddick

Job Description

The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry, and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas' website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.

To support our mission to serve Texas, we need great people to join our team. We provide a great working environment along with outstanding benefits, including:

• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick time, and at least 12 paid holidays per year
• Telework options for eligible positions
• Flexible work schedules
• Retirement pension with a 150% agency match - you can watch this YouTube video that describes this amazing benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJI6M7g73-w
• 401(k), 457(b) and Roth
• Health premiums 100% paid for full-time employees
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness and Exercise Leave
• Career development programs/opportunities for advancement

For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/jobs/. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit the Employee Retirement Systems website at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance.

The office of Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick is searching for a Director of Public Affairs the Director of Public Affairs for Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work, providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning of internal and external communications, public engagement, outreach, and educational initiatives. This role is crucial in effectively communicating the duties, responsibilities, and activities of Commissioner Craddick and the Railroad Commission to the people of Texas.

The Director of Public Affairs will be accountable for:

• Producing, managing, updating a comprehensive outreach and public relations strategy/plan, and communicating that plan to the rest of the team.
• Building, executing, and tracking outreach activities through various platforms such as mail, social media, email, and phone.
• Tracking the progress of activities to various groups, to ensure plan success.
• Maintaining key relationships and tracking/reporting progress and updates to team.

Job Responsibilities

• Fields press calls and provides timely information so the press and public receive information they need and deserve.
• Drafts all press releases and other messaging documents for the office.
• Develops regular informational updates for the media and public (newsletters, emails etc.)
• Develops a communications plan and tracks progress to ensure important information is being conveyed to the public.
• Assists with social media presence and website updates.
• Books media appearances so Commissioner Craddick can communicate on important energy issues.
• Responds to press and other email inquiries.
• Proactively calls reporters and ensures they have the information they need on Railroad Commission related issues.
• Plans and organizes any media events.
• Monitors important energy issues and develops necessary information to clearly and appropriately respond to constituent correspondence.
• Proactively reaches out to municipal and other governmental entities who may have oil or gas related questions to ensure they have the information they need.
• Oversees and grows public outreach initiatives.
• Develops a comprehensive list of media contacts in the state of Texas and nationally who are interested in energy issues and regularly engages them.
• Collaborates with other agency communications staff to ensure a consistent and comprehensive communication strategy is being developed and deployed.
• Develops and writes speeches for Commissioner Craddick.
• Develops talking points and communicates with Legislators and other elected politicians.
• Manages special projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Note: This position may require occasional travel.

For Military Crosswalk information, please visit: Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Program Management (texas.gov)



Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university majoring in Political Science, Public Relations, or similar
• Ten (10) years of work experience in the Texas Legislature, government relations, and/or Branch of Texas state government.
• Knowledge of the issues that the Railroad Commission handles.

Note: Years of experience can run concurrently.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Advanced technology skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, Social Media platforms, desktop publishing programs like Publisher, PagePlus or Xara, Constant Contact or MailChimp and other technological solutions that can be utilized to communicate with Texans.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, appropriate for interacting with Government employees and officials.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to multi-task and handle several important projects at one time.
• Ability to handle confidential information.

Work Hours and Telework: Standard office hours for Commission employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternate schedules for employees, as long as it does not adversely affect operations and service levels, and standard hours of operation are maintained. The Commission may also offer telework based on the agency's approved Telework Plan. Alternate work schedules and telework may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

Remarks:

• There is one available position.
• Official transcripts, DD214 or DD1300, copies of license/certifications, or other minimum requirement validations will be requested at the time of the job offer.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS ONLY ACCEPTS ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING.

Due to the high volume of applications we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide.

The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not

discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age

or disability in employment or in the provision of services.

The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.