Manatee Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 876885 

Agency: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Working Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST - 77000074

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 77000074 

Salary:  $53,000 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 06/12/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FWC Office of Communications

Public Information Coordinator

$53,000 Annually

Preferred Location: Polk County

 Office of Communications

Public Information Coordinator (77000074)

$53,000 Annually

Our organization:

The FWC envisions a Florida where fish and wildlife are abundant and thriving in healthy and connected natural landscapes with vital working lands and waterways; where natural resources are valued and safely enjoyed by all; and wherein natural systems support vibrant human communities and a strong economy.

Our Mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Every organization has an identity that is forged not only by what it does, but by how it conducts itself. The values embedded in our mission and expressed in the vision of the FWC are to make quality decisions by being dynamic, science-informed, efficient, ethical, collaborative and committed to the vitality of the state and its environment.

Minimum Qualifications:
Two (2) years of experience in Communications or Public Relations, or
an associate's degree from an accredited college or university.

Located in Marion or Polk County.

Preferred Qualifications:
Four (4) years of experience in Communications or Public Relations, or
a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in public relations or communications.  

Located in Polk County.

Requirements:
Employment in this position is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal history check (fingerprint-based) in accordance with Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. 

This position requires travel up to 25%.
 

Responses to qualifying questions should be verifiable by skills and/or experience stated on the profile application/resume. Information should be provided regarding any gaps in employment.

 
Position Overview and Responsibilities:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Office of Communications (OC) is seeking a highly motivated candidate to serve as the Public Information Coordinator for the Central Region to help further the agency's mission. The Central Region includes the following counties: Brevard, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia. The Office of Communications coordinates public-communication efforts across the region and the FWC's divisions and offices to educate Floridians and visitors about the role and value of Florida's fish and wildlife resources and to foster a sense of stewardship for these resources. These efforts include creating content for multiple social media platforms and providing support at five commission meetings per year, and at public outreach events. This position serves as the primary media contact for the Central Region providing responses to media including written correspondence and coordinating interviews and press events.

The FWC has an atmosphere of people who are passionate about what they do and have a strong desire to help residents and visitors of Florida while balancing the needs of the state's fish and wildlife resources. 

The successful candidate for the Public Information Coordinator position will be proactive and passionate about the agency's success and the public's perception of the agency.

This position reports to the Press Secretary for the Office of Communications and will work closely with the Communications Director, Multimedia Services Manager and team, and other agency staff as and when needed.

 Duties and responsibilities: 

• Ensure articulation of the Central Region's desired image and position, assure consistent communication of image and position throughout the FWC, and assure communication of image and position to all constituencies, both internal and external.
• Assists the Communications Office in planning, developing, managing and coordinating strategies for heading off adverse publicity and serves as a contact for news media on regional high-profile, contentious and controversial news stories involving programs and projects.
• Represents the Central Region in coordinating on-camera interviews with television news media and on-the-record interviews with radio and print news media. Assists agency leadership and staff in preparing for interviews with news media when necessary.
• Researches, writes and edits news releases, feature articles and other written material regarding outdoor recreation and agency programs and activities for news media and targeted publications.
• Works with OC and Central Region leadership and other divisional and agency leaders as needed in assessing communication needs. Develops strategic and operational plans for accomplishing news media relations strategies.
• Coordinates graphics and audio/visual products for Central Region staff and serves as a liaison between Central Region and OC to assist in choosing, creating and producing products and venues for outreach efforts to both media and the public.
• Uses creative software to produce and edit digital media such as videos, photographs, PowerPoint presentations, web images, advertisements, memes/gifs and other products to promote agency messaging via social media, websites, interpretive products and displays.
• Plans and develops informational materials for press conferences and other media events and coordinates such events as needed.
• Actively participates in and seeks to improve job performance through active communication and scheduled meetings with supervisor. Meets regularly with supervisor to discuss job duties, ongoing issues, opportunities, and performance; accomplishes annual goals that are agreed upon with supervisor; meets performance standards; and annually completes a self-evaluation of performance.
• Maintains and builds relationships across regions, divisions, media outlets and partner agencies.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Must be computer literate in Microsoft Office programs, Word, Excel and PowerPoint; Knowledge of media writing and the processes for preparing and distributing press information;
• Ability to write news releases based on Associated Press Style;
• Skill in communicating complex or technical information to media and the public in a clear and understandable way;
• Ability to write in clear, concise language;
• Ability to compile and analyze information for use in public information materials;
• Ability to work with internet- based information sources;
• Ability to work independently and plan, organize and coordinate various work assignments; 
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Ability to communicate with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.

Additional Requirements

The Commission expects its employees to be courteous and respectful while assisting Commission customers and stakeholders, ensuring each encounter is as positive as possible.  Employees should promptly resolve questions or problems relating to the Commission, its programs and/or fish and wildlife resources.  Employees should seek to gain public support for agency objectives and programs by serving Florida's citizens in a positive and proactive manner and by listening to what the customer wants and striving to meet their needs.  When appropriate, employees will explain the reasons for agency actions or decisions while communicating a consistent Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) point-of-view. 

Work at FWC is cross-functional meaning duties may cross division/office lines.  The Commission expects employees to function across FWC's organizational structure by providing their skills and expertise wherever needed through work on teams or as directed. 

Responsible for following the provisions and requirements in Section 215.422, Florida Statutes, related to the Department of Financial Services rules and FWC's invoice processing and warrant distribution procedures

Why should I apply?

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
State of Florida employees enjoy top-tier benefits offerings including comprehensive health coverage to meet the needs of you and your family while maintaining low deductibles and low monthly out-of-pocket contributions. State employees also enjoy the option of selecting between the FRS Pension Plan and the FRS Investment Plan for retirement.  As an additional benefit, state employment affords you the opportunity to take part in the tuition waiver program within the state university and community college systems.

• Health Premiums $25.00- Single / $90.00- Family Biweekly
• No Cost $25,000 Life Insurance
• Nine Paid State Holidays, One Personal Holiday per year
• 4 hours Annual Leave and 4 hours Sick Leave accrued Biweekly
• Retirement Plan Options
• State University and College Tuition Waiver Program
• On the Job Trainings
• Support for family planning, including paid maternity leave, adoption benefits, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Family Supportive Work Program (FSWP), and paid leave for family and medical responsibilities for eligible employees.
• Paid administrative leave for mentoring, volunteering, voting, and other reasons because we understand the importance of giving back to the community.

For a more complete list of benefits, visit https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans' Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.