Director Public Relations Jobs in Baton Rouge, LA

Salary : $49,379.20 - $64,188.80 Annually
Location : 3601 Thomas Rd. (Zoo), Baton Rouge, LA 70807, LA
Job Type: Full Time Exempt
Job Number: SCMZ2026
Department: Zoo
Opening Date: 08/28/2026
Closing Date: 9/11/2026 4:59 PM Central
FLSA: Exempt
General Summary
General Summary: The Senior Communications Manager is responsible for information and public relations on behalf of the Baton Rouge Zoo. The Senior Communications Manager will implement policies, procedures, strategies, and techniques of community relations and internal and external communications. Work performed at this level is advanced with considerable independence.
Requirements and Job Specifications
Education Required: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university
Preferred: Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
Area of Study (major) Required: Mass Communications, Marketing, Business Administration (advertising), or any related field of study
Certification(s) Preferred: Accredited Public Relations (APR) Designation, through Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
License(s) Required: Valid Louisiana Drivers License
Years Relevant Work Experience: Four (4) years of experience in communications, public relations or marketing experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Preferred: 10 years related, plus web editing.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of currently accepted concepts and practices of public relations & marketing
• Knowledge of the communities served by BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo
• Knowledge of local working media representation
• Excellent administrative & organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal & communication skills and ability to communicate both orally & in writing
• Solid math skills and ability to perform basic accounting/budgeting functions
• Proficiency in understanding current & evolving marketing/advertising methodologies across all media
venues
• Strong computer skills, including knowledge of website maintenance
• Advanced skills in standard office software, Microsoft Office, databases, and presentation programs
• Ability to work on multiple projects to meet both short and long-range deadlines
• Ability to demonstrate leadership, initiative, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to exercise good judgment based on established policies and procedures
• Ability to quickly learn BREC policies, operations, programs, and communications
• Ability to monitor and control resources
• Ability to develop and maintain a budget and complete reports, such as financial, payroll, and activity reports
according to established BREC financial procedures
• Ability to supervise staff and direct the work of Membership and Special Events staff under direction of the Zoo
Director
• Ability to develop & maintain effective working relations with departmental staff and to relate well to
representatives of public & private interest groups, the news media, the public, and officials of other agencies
Functions and Duties
Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the creation and implementation of marketing plans
• Responsible for monitoring, tracking, and measuring marketing efforts to include identifying ROI for programs, tracking metrics actual vs. target, and measuring program performance on a monthly basis.
• Recruits, trains and refers interns and maintain relationships with local universities' communications schools
• Assists in writing, editing and reviewing stories, press releases and other information pertinent to BREC and/or its facilities
• Prepares a section of the budget; reviews and monitors the revenues and expenditures, and tracks payments
• Oversees trade show image development and assists in trade show participation efforts
• Provides public relations, communications advice and consultation to BREC staff
• Encourages promotional efforts, edits employee or volunteer written articles and coordinates publications
• Attends meetings of the BREC Commission, Community, Advisory Committees, as well as professional conferences, as a representative of the department
• Assists with Special Events as needed

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.
Supplemental Information
Full time position, a minimum of 40 hours per week; evening and weekend hours as required. Must be available in case of emergency; 24 hours a day seven days a week.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. If you do not complete each section of this application (i.e. work experience, education, or etc.) to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.
An offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment criminal background check, Motor Vehicle Records check, drug screen and physical.
2026 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
HEALTH INSURANCE: BREC provides comprehensive medical coverage through Louisiana Blue formerly BCBSLA, including HMO, PPO, and Blue Saver (Qualified High-Deductible Health Savings Account) options. Coverage becomes effective on the first day of the month following a two-month waiting period. Employee cost per month for HMO: $175.43 - employee only; $597.45 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $962.52-family. Employee cost per month for PPO: $375.23- employee only;$975.50- employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $1,492.70 - family. Employee cost per month for Blue Saver: $39.08 - employee only; $162.68 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $290.49 - family. In addition to medical coverage, BREC offers voluntary insurance options, including Dental and Vision.
LIFE INSURANCE: All full-time employees are insured under a Group Term Life Insurance policy provided by Lincoln Financial. Coverage is subject to reduction at ages 65 and 70. There is no cost to the employee; however, coverage associated with salaries exceeding $50,000 is subject to imputed income in accordance with IRS regulations. Coverage is effective immediately upon eligibility.
RETIREMENT SYSTEM: BREC contributes 38.22% of each employee's salary to the City-Parish Employees' Retirement System. Employees contribute 9.5% of salary. All retirement contributions are tax-deferred. Employee contributions are maintained in individual accounts and are refunded if an employee leaves BREC prior to retirement eligibility. After 25 years of service, employees may be eligible for additional benefits through the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP). BREC also offers a Supplemental Retirement Deferred Compensation Plan through Nationwide Retirement Solutions, available through convenient payroll deductions.
HOLIDAYS: BREC employees receive twelve (12) paid holidays per year.
SICK LEAVE: BREC employees accumulate sick leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increase based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 30 days of continuous employment.
ANNUAL LEAVE: BREC employees earn annual leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increased based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 90 days of continuous employment.
FULL-TIME STATUS: Upon completion of a six-month probationary periods and approval of supervisor, full-time status will be achieved.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS: BREC full-time employees can take advantage of a generous discount. Some restrictions may apply. See the discount policy for more details.
EAP: BREC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered by Lucet. They EAP helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems.
CREDIT UNION: BREC employees are eligible to join the City Federal Credit Union and/or Pelican State Credit Union and enlist in payroll deduction plan. Direct deposit to the Credit Union is also available.
FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS: BREC is a qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness. Employees who have Federal Direct Loans and have made 120 payments on the Federal Direct Loans (after October 1, 2007) may be eligible for the remaining loan balance to be forgiven.
LA START: This 529 Qualified Tuition savings plan may be open on behalf of a named Beneficiary by anyone, including legal entities, provided that the Account Owner or the Beneficiary is a resident of Louisiana. Account Owners may save at their own pace, in amounts they can afford.
FSA: BREC offers an FSA that allows employees to contribute a portion of their regular earnings before taxes. Distributions from the account must be used to reimburse the employee for qualified expenses related to medical and dental services.
SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS: BREC offers voluntary benefits through AFLAC or Colonial Life. Those benefits include accident insurance, critical care, hospital indemnity, life, LTD and STD.
BREC reserves the right to at any time and from time to time to modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the benefit package.
*Commissioned Approved Benefits Effective January 1, 2026*
01
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the study of Mass Communications, Marketing, Business Administration (advertising) or any related field of study?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license?

• Yes
• No

03
How many years of experience do you have in communications, public relations or marketing experience or closely related? Please explain below
04
Do you have any certifications? If so, please explain below)
05
Do you have experience in creating and implementing marketing plans?

• Yes
• No

06
Have you ever volunteered for BREC? Yes or No. If so, in what capacity and what location?
Required Question