DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

City of Chicago

$106K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 9 years of experience in public information programs, including 2 years in a supervisory role
  • Associate's degree in a related field plus 7 years of relevant experience, or
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field plus 5 years of relevant experience, or
  • Master's degree in a related field plus 4 years of relevant experience
  • Strong background in public relations, communications, or marketing.

Responsibilities

  • Supervise staff preparing public information materials
  • Develop marketing strategies for departmental programs
  • Prepare responses to inquiries from public agencies
  • Engage with the public at community meetings
  • Create policies for disseminating public information
  • Evaluate and train public engagement staff
  • Coordinate city-wide conferences and exhibits
  • Manage grant applications for funding public engagement efforts

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health benefits
  • Retirement savings plans
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Employee assistance programs
Full Job Description
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INFORMATION

CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Division of Planning & Policy

Number of Positions: 1

(additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $106,044.00

New hires are paid the starting rate. Current employees' pay rate is determined by their job title and years of service

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 09/10/2026

Under direction of the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Planning and Policy, this role serves as the "Director of Outreach and Engagement" to plan, coordinate, and manage public information, engagement and education activities for the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES
• Supervises and monitors professional staff responsible for the preparation of brochures, pamphlets, and other public information materials to promote the department's programs and services
• Develops strategies (e.g., branding, advertising, and social media plans) to effectively market departmental programs and services
• Directs and coordinates the research, development, and preparation of written and oral responses to inquiries from public agencies and community groups
• Represents the department at community meetings in order to engage with the public of departmental programs and services
• Develops policies and procedures for the dissemination of public information via written, oral, and electronic means (e.g., department website)
• Evaluates and trains professional public engagement staff and consultant
• Coordinates efforts with staff in order to organize city-wide conferences and exhibits
• Manages and applies for grants to fund CDOT's public engagement work

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: 2 N LaSalle St

Days: Monday - Friday

Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Nine (9) years of work experience in the development and implementation of public information programs, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a directly related field, plus seven (7) years of work experience in the development and implementation of public information programs, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a directly related field, plus five (5) years of work experience in the development and implementation of public information programs, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or a directly related field, plus four (4) years of work experience in the development and implementation of public information programs, of which two (2) years are in a supervisory role related to the responsibilities of the position

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, will be selected.

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APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on the information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow all required employment/hiring plan provisions, federal, state, and local laws, and collective bargaining agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago

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