Government Affairs & Public Relations Coordinator

Job Posting Title

Government Affairs & Public Relations Coordinator

Agency

978 OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY

Supervisory Organization

Public Information–Neal A McCaleb Transportation Building

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

Job Description

Why join the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority?

The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has been serving Oklahomans since 1947, managing and maintaining a modern, safe, and efficient turnpike system across the state. With a commitment to customer service and innovation, OTA plays a vital role in ensuring smooth and reliable travel for millions of motorists each year. As a part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while working in a collaborative and supportive environment. OTA offers competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunities for growth, making it an excellent choice to build your career in public service.

 

Position Overview

This is a full-time position within the Communications/Marketing Branch of OTA. It is an in-office position located in Oklahoma City and works Monday – Friday from approx. 8:00am-5:00pm. Some travel will be required for legislative meetings, public events, or community outreach. Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary based on legislative schedules or public engagement needs.

The Government Affairs & Public Relations Coordinator is a key liaison between the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and state and local government officials, legislative staff, stakeholders, and the public. This position supports the agency’s government affairs efforts by tracking legislation, preparing briefings for internal and external audiences, and managing correspondence with legislators and stakeholders. In addition, the role supports public affairs initiatives by contributing to strategic communication efforts, including media relations, press releases, public speaking engagements, and community outreach.

 

This hybrid role requires strong communication, writing, and public speaking skills to effectively promote the agency’s mission, policies, and transportation initiatives.

 

Compensation

This rate for this position is:

• Level I: $36.08 per hour ($75,046 annually)

• Level II: $40.87 per hour ($85,009 annually)

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Legislative Affairs:

• Monitor state and federal legislation relevant to transportation policy and infrastructure.

• Draft and edit letters, reports, briefings, talking points, and testimony for legislative stakeholders.

• Coordinate responses to legislative inquiries, constituent correspondence, and agency-related issues raised by elected officials.

• Assist in preparing legislative updates and briefing materials for agency leadership and external stakeholders.

• Attend legislative hearings, meetings, and events as a representative of the agency.

• Monitor, track, and analyze proposed and enacted legislation that may affect the agency, ensuring compliance with updated laws by coordinating timely policy and procedural changes and meeting all statutory deadlines.

• Assist in tracking proposed legislation by priority level, ensuring subject matter experts are updated as necessary and prepared to take any action in response to enacted changes.

• Attend relevant legislative committee meetings and interim studies, as well as other meetings with legislators, legislative staff and other officials upon request; help prepare the Executive Director or other staff for those events and assist with follow-up as needed.

• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with legislators, legislative staff, stakeholders, partner organizations, and other officials to share agency perspectives on legislation, rules, policies, and programs while promoting a positive agency image.

Public Affairs & Communications:

• Develop and deliver clear, concise, and engaging written content for public distribution, including press releases, fact sheets, and marketing/communications collateral.

• Support the agency’s media relations efforts by preparing talking points and facilitating interviews with subject matter experts.

• Represent the agency at public meetings, community events, and other public events; deliver presentations to a variety of audiences.

• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure consistent messaging across legislative and public affairs communications.

• Assist in developing content for digital platforms, including the agency website and social media.

• Build and sustain collaborative relationships with legislators, legislative staff, stakeholders, partner organizations, and other officials to share agency perspectives on legislation, rules, policies, and programs while promoting a positive agency image.

 

Minimum Qualifications

Level I

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of experience working in the legislative process;

• Or a Master’s degree and one (1) year of experience in the legislative process;

• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one (1) year of experience for one (1) year of education.

Level II

• Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of experience working in the legislative process;

• Or master’s degree and three (3) years of experience in the legislative process;

• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one (1) year of experience for one (1) year of education.

• At least 1 year of previous experience in a communications, marketing or public relations position.

 Both Levels

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated experience in drafting official correspondence and public-facing materials.

• Ability to analyze policy issues and translate complex information into accessible content.

• Confidence in public speaking and engaging with diverse audiences, including legislators and the general public.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to travel (via pool car) to various events, sites, and other locations as needed.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk and reach; talk and hear.  Routinely, employees are required to sit for long periods of time; to manipulate objects, tools or controls; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk and reach; talk and hear.  Routinely, employees are required to sit for long periods of time; to manipulate objects, tools or controls; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

• Familiarity with state legislative processes and transportation policy, preferably within the state of Oklahoma.

• Experience working in a government agency or with elected officials.

• Proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms (e.g., CMS, social media, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite).

 

Level Descriptor

Level I

This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities at the full performance level for development and completion of assigned projects, including developing and implementing the agency’s legislative program.

Level II

This is the advanced level of this job family. Work includes complex legislative work that results in positive outcomes needed for the services provided by the agency.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge required at this level includes knowledge of legislative strategy and analysis, proposed and financial impact of legislation; strategic planning; administrative rules; development of legislation and forecasting results; and design and implementation of communication programs to enhance knowledge about the agency.

• Skill required at this level are to build productive relationships with stakeholders, legislators, and legislative staff; analyze and solve complex problems, use excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills; influence; and use critical thinking.

• Ability required at this level is to work independently and collaboratively to select an appropriate course of action; ability to produce reports, legislation, rules, policies, and programs to attain the agency’s goals; and work with cross-functional teams within the agency ensuring cohesive efforts.

 

Benefits Highlights 

OTA is proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support eligible employees and their eligible dependents: 

• Generous Annual Benefit Allowance: 
  Up to $21,934 to help cover insurance premiums for employees and their families. 

• Comprehensive Insurance Plans: 
  A variety of options with no exclusions for pre-existing conditions. 

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): 
  Pre-tax savings for healthcare and dependent care expenses. 

• Retirement Savings Plans: 

o   Pathfinder Defined Contribution Plan: Employer matches 6% of a minimum 4.5% employee contribution (up to 7% if the employee contributes 7%). 

o   OPERS Defined Benefit Plan: Available for reenrollment to employees enrolled prior to November 1, 2015. 

• Paid Leave: 

o   15 days annually during the first 1–5 years of service. 

o   18 days annually for 5–10 years of service. 

o   20 days annually for 10–20 years of service. 

o   25 days annually for over 20 years of service. 

o   Sick leave: Accrued at 15 days per year. 

o   Paid Maternity leave for eligible employees. 

• Holidays: 
  Eleven paid holidays annually. 

• Employee Discounts: 
  Special rates with various vendors and companies. 

• Longevity Payment: 
  Monetary rewards beginning at two years of service to recognize dedicated tenure. 

• Thrive: 
  Empower Oklahoma State employees to improve & enhance their well-being. 

 

OTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request. 

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

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