Job No: 542769
Work Type: Full-time
Location: PHOENIX
Categories: Communication/Community Relations,Social Work/Human Services
DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is a social and human services agency whose mission is to successfully partner with families, caregivers, and the community to strengthen families, ensure safety, and achieve permanency for all Arizona's children through prevention, services, and support.
Communications Administrator - Deputy
Job Location:
COMMUNICATIONS
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012
Posting Details:
Salary: $36.0576 Hourly
Grade: 26
Closing Date: August 13, 2026
Job Summary:
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.
Job Duties:
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, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
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
Selective Preference(s):
Bachelor's Degree in communications or related field.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
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. (https://publicstorage.dc4.pageuppeople.com/1045/ClientPublicFile/3601803f-02e5-4b70-b325-26c8ef309c1b.pdf)
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
Benefits:
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 (https://hr.az.gov/about/resources/family-leave-expansion) . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page (https://benefitoptions.az.gov/jobseekers)
Retirement:
Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
Contact Us:
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.
