Public Information Director 1

About the role

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry is seeking a Public Information Director 1 to join our team in Baton Rouge, LA. This role supports and coordinates agency-wide communications, public information, public relations, digital media, publications, and outreach efforts.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate the planning, research, writing, editing, design, production, and distribution of the Market Bulletin and other agency publications.
• Manage advertisements and subscriptions, including receiving, editing, entering, and maintaining advertisement records and subscriber databases.
• Design and produce the Market Bulletin using Adobe InDesign, ensuring visually appealing layouts, accurate content placement, and adherence to agency branding standards.
• Cook up photography, feature stories, publication layouts, and production schedules, subscription renewals, and customer inquiries related to subscriptions and advertising.
• Maintain and update the Market Bulletin digital commerce site to ensure accurate offerings, efficient transactions, and positive user experiences.
• Review, proofread, and approve publication content and final production materials prior to printing and distribution.
• Submit the Market Bulletin to the Recorder of Documents for the Louisiana Public Document Depository Program and ensure compliance with publication requirements and printing schedules.
• Develop agency fact sheets, brochures, reports, presentations, and promotional materials supporting departmental programs and initiatives.
• Develop and implement agency-wide communications strategies, public outreach campaigns, and digital engagement initiatives.
• Draft, edit, and distribute press releases, media advisories, speeches, talking points, newsletters, reports, correspondence, and other communications materials.
• Serve as media contact and coordinate interviews, press events, media inquiries, and agency responses, as needed.
• Manage and maintain agency social media platforms, including content planning, graphic development, video production, publishing, audience engagement, and performance monitoring.
• Develop and publish approved agency news, feature stories, photo libraries, videos, and multimedia content for websites, social media platforms, and external media outlets.
• Update and maintain agency website content to ensure information is accurate, current, accessible, and consistent with agency standards.
• Create and edit digital content, including graphics, videos, photography, presentations, promotional materials, brochures, fact sheets, public service announcements, and other communication products.
• Cook up with printers, vendors, contractors, and media partners to produce signage, promotional materials, mailers, and marketing collateral.
• Ensure agency branding standards are consistently applied across all communication platforms and materials.
• Avoid emergency communications and crisis response activities and serve in a public information role as assigned.
• Serve as Safety Coordinator for the Executive Office by coordinating safety meetings, maintaining records, preparing training materials, participating in audits, and monitoring workplace safety practices.
• Provide communications guidance and support to agency divisions, commissions, and executive leadership.
• Oversee content governance and quality control for agency websites and digital communication platforms.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of agency goals and objectives.

Requirements

• Seven years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR
• Six years of full-time experience in any field plus four years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR
• A bachelor's degree plus four years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR
• An advanced degree in public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, or English plus three years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design.

Qualifications

• Experience in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, digital media, public information, or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, copywriting, and content development skills.
• Experience managing media relations, public outreach initiatives, and executive communications.
• Experience managing websites, social media platforms, digital communication campaigns, and content management systems.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, or related software.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and digital publishing tools.
• Knowledge of branding, media relations, public information practices, publication production, accessibility standards, and digital communications.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience working with executive leadership, media representatives, government agencies, vendors, and external stakeholders.