Public Information Officer

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications accepted from: All Persons Interested Department: Chief of Staff Office/Communications & Marketing Reporting Location: 611 Walker St, Houston, TX 77002, USA Workdays & Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (subject to change). Extended weekday and weekend hours may be required to support operational needs, special projects, or time-sensitive priorities.

About Houston Public Works: Houston Public Works (HPW) plays a vital role in building, maintaining, and enhancing the infrastructure that keeps Houston moving and supports the quality of life of its residents, businesses, and communities. As one of the City of Houston’s largest departments, HPW is responsible for the planning, operation, maintenance, construction management, and technical engineering of the city’s essential public infrastructure. With a workforce of approximately 4,900 employees, HPW oversees a broad and complex portfolio of critical services and assets, including water and wastewater systems, roadways, bridges, traffic and mobility systems, stormwater drainage, permitting, solid waste, and other infrastructure and public services. HPW is at the forefront of Houston’s continued growth and its efforts to build a more resilient, sustainable, and connected city. Through long-term planning, strategic investment, innovation, and responsible stewardship of public resources, the department works to ensure that Houston’s infrastructure can meet the needs of a growing and dynamic community. With a commitment to excellence, accountability, and service, Houston Public Works helps lay the foundation for Houston’s future, delivering the infrastructure and essential services that enable the city to thrive today and for generations to come. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Houston Public Works is seeking an organized, proactive, and highly responsive Public Information Officer (PIO) to join its Communications and Marketing branch. Reporting to the Chief Marketing Officer within the Chief of Staff Office, this position coordinates the department’s response to a high volume of media and public inquiries across HPW’s diverse and complex operations. The PIO works closely with departmental leadership, subject matter experts, and operational teams to research and verify information, develop proposed responses, and ensure inquiries are addressed accurately and within established deadlines. The position is responsible for tracking requests, coordinating departmental reviews and approvals, following up on outstanding information, and submitting approved responses to the Mayor’s Office of Communications. The PIO monitors media coverage and emerging issues, identifies proactive communications opportunities, and supports interview coordination and executive briefing preparation. The PIO also supports communications coordination during emergencies, critical incidents, service disruptions, and other time-sensitive operational issues. Success in this role requires strong writing and research skills, sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. The position may require work outside regular business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on departmental needs. All proposed media responses must receive the required departmental approvals before submission to the Mayor’s Office of Communications, which coordinates external media communications on behalf of the City. The PIO does not independently issue public statements, provide media quotes, or conduct media interviews on behalf of Houston Public Works or the City of Houston, unless directed. RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate Media and Public Inquiries — Manage a high volume of incoming media and public inquiries, prioritize competing deadlines, maintain a centralized inquiry and response tracker, document request status, approvals, and final responses, and ensure timely follow-through from receipt through submission.
• Research and Verify Information — Coordinate with departmental leadership, subject matter experts, and operational personnel to gather, research, and verify technical, statistical, historical, and operational information. Identify information gaps or discrepancies and obtain clarification as needed.
• Draft Proposed Responses — Prepare clear, concise, and factual proposed responses and supporting materials based on verified departmental information, translating complex operational details into understandable language.
• Coordinate Departmental Review and Approval — Obtain all required departmental reviews and approvals before submitting proposed responses to the Mayor’s Office of Communications. Ensure information is accurate, complete, properly documented, and submitted within established deadlines.
• Serve as Departmental Liaison — Coordinate with the Mayor’s Office of Communications and appropriate departmental personnel to clarify information needs, communicate deadlines, and facilitate follow-up requests.
• Monitor Media and Emerging Issues — Monitor relevant media coverage, emerging issues, City Council priorities, and public concerns. Identify trends, potential communications risks, and opportunities for proactive storytelling, and provide timely updates to departmental leadership.
• Coordinate Media Interviews — Coordinate interview requests involving departmental leadership and subject matter experts, including scheduling, background research, preparation of proposed talking points, and obtaining required approvals.
• Support Emergency and Crisis Communications — Coordinate the rapid collection and verification of information during emergencies, critical incidents, service disruptions, and other urgent operational events affecting Houston Public Works. Prioritize time-sensitive requests, identify information gaps, and escalate issues that may affect response accuracy or timeliness. Develop and maintain proposed holding statements, crisis response templates, and briefing materials to support timely and coordinated communications during emergencies and critical incidents.
• Support Communications and Marketing Initiatives — Assist with communications planning, internal communications, key message development, narrative development, and informational materials supporting departmental programs, infrastructure projects, operational priorities, and organizational initiatives. Identify proactive media and storytelling opportunities in coordination with the Communications and Marketing team.
• Maintain Confidentiality and Communications Standards — Handle confidential and sensitive information with discretion and follow applicable City policies, information security requirements, records management practices, and approved communications and branding standards.
• Support Leadership Communications and Public Engagements — Prepare concise executive briefings for the CMO and departmental leadership, including issue summaries, verified background information, anticipated media questions, proposed messaging, and communications considerations. Prepare speaking points, briefing materials, presentations, and other supporting materials for the Director and departmental leadership. Attend Director speaking engagements, City Council meetings, public sessions, town halls, community meetings, project site visits, and Houston Public Works events as needed to gather information, coordinate with subject matter experts, and support departmental communications efforts.
• Coordinate Related Information Requests — Assist with preparing information for City Council inquiries, Requests for Council Action, and other departmental requests as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS Varies depending on the responsibility area but may include: Work is primarily performed in an office environment but may require travel to departmental facilities, project sites, and other off-site locations to gather information, coordinate with subject matter experts, or support operational and emergency-related information needs. Work may occur indoors or outdoors and may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, construction areas, traffic, and active operational environments. Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to address urgent inquiries, emergencies, and time-sensitive departmental needs. This is a Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier I Level.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Requires a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Public Administration or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Five (5) years of progressive professional experience in media, public relations or a closely related field are required.

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

• Professional experience responding to media inquiries, public information requests, or sensitive communications matters in a fast-paced organization.
• Experience supporting communications for a large, complex, or highly operational organization, such as a corporation, municipal government, public works department, utility, transportation agency, public safety agency, or other public service organization.
• Experience monitoring media coverage, identifying emerging issues, evaluating potential reputational risks, and recommending proactive communications opportunities.
• Experience coordinating emergency or crisis communications, including gathering and verifying information during rapidly evolving incidents.
• Experience translating technical, engineering, infrastructure, water/wastewater, construction, transportation, drainage, or other operational information into clear, factual written responses.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent requests, maintaining tracking systems, meeting strict deadlines, and proactively following up with stakeholders.
• Experience drafting responses that require review and approval by departmental leadership, legal personnel, executive offices, or a central communications office.
• Experience coordinating media interviews and preparing executive briefing materials, background information, and proposed talking points for organizational leadership.
• Familiarity with the Texas Public Information Act and the handling of public records and sensitive government information.
• Knowledge of municipal government operations, interdepartmental coordination, and City communications protocols.
• Experience supporting internal communications, communications strategy, narrative development, and consistent organizational messaging.
• Familiarity with emergency management communications principles, including the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
• Experience using request-tracking systems and other applications to monitor deadlines, approvals, and deliverables.
• Experience working with confidential information and exercising discretion in sensitive or high-visibility situations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of:

• Public information, media relations, professional writing, and communications practices.
• Research, fact-checking, and techniques for communicating complex technical and operational information accurately.
• Media monitoring, proactive media relations, issue management, and executive communications practices.
• Crisis communications principles and the importance of timely, verified information during emergencies and critical incidents.
• Communications planning, message development, confidentiality requirements, records management, and applicable public information laws and policies.

Skill in:

• Writing, editing, researching, and fact-checking clear, accurate responses under tight deadlines.
• Developing executive-ready briefing materials, media talking points, proposed press statements, and crisis communications materials.
• Managing multiple concurrent requests and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Obtaining information from subject matter experts and translating complex information into concise, understandable language.
• Tracking requests, coordinating approvals, following up proactively, and identifying and escalating issues that may delay responses.

Ability to:

• Independently manage assigned requests from receipt through research, verification, departmental approval, and submission to the Mayor’s Office of Communications.
• Exercise sound judgment, initiative, and discretion when handling sensitive information and time-critical matters.
• Obtain cooperation across multiple divisions and organizational levels without direct supervisory authority.
• Distinguish verified facts from assumptions, identify information gaps, and ensure proposed responses are supported by reliable information.
• Adapt quickly to changing priorities and maintain accuracy and composure during emergencies and other high-pressure situations.
• Anticipate deadlines, resolve coordination challenges, and proactively move requests toward completion while following established approval protocols.
• Identify emerging communications issues, anticipate leadership information needs, and recommend proactive communications opportunities while adhering to established review and approval procedures.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None However, the department may administer a skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION: Yes If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE 26

APPLICATION PROCEDURES Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832-393-6737.

If you need special services or accommodations 832-393-6737 (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.