State of Oklahoma
Government Affairs & Public Relations Coordinator
State of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73116
Overview
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) has been serving Oklahomans since 1947, managing and maintaining a modern, safe, and efficient turnpike system across the state. OTA offers competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunities for growth in a collaborative and supportive public service environment. This is a full-time in-office position located in Oklahoma City, working Monday – Friday from approximately 8:00am–5:00pm. Some travel for legislative meetings, public events, or community outreach may be required, and occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary based on legislative schedules or public engagement needs.
Position
Overview:
Government Affairs & Public Relations Coordinator serves as a key liaison between OTA and state/local government officials, legislative staff, stakeholders, and the public. Responsibilities include tracking legislation, preparing briefings, and managing correspondence with legislators and stakeholders, along with 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 OTA’s mission and transportation initiatives.
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; coordinate timely policy and procedural changes and meet statutory deadlines.
Assist in tracking proposed legislation by priority level, ensuring subject matter experts are updated as necessary and prepared to take action.
Attend relevant legislative committee meetings and interim studies; help prepare the Executive Director or other staff for 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 (e.g., press releases, fact sheets, marketing/communications collateral).
Support media relations by preparing talking points and facilitating interviews with subject matter experts.
Represent the agency at public meetings, community events, and other public engagements; deliver presentations to diverse 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 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. Routine sitting for long periods, manipulating objects, climbing or balancing, and crouching or crawling may be required.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with state legislative processes and transportation policy, preferably within 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 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.
Skills include building productive relationships with stakeholders, legislators, and legislative staff; analyzing and solving complex problems; excellent written, oral, and presentation communication; influence; and critical thinking.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively to select an appropriate course of action; produce reports, legislation, rules, policies, and programs to attain the agency’s goals; and work with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive efforts.
Benefits Highlights OTA is proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support eligible employees and their 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: Pathfinder Defined Contribution Plan with employer matches; OPERS Defined Benefit Plan for reenrollment eligible employees.
Paid Leave: 15–25 days annually depending on years of service, plus sick leave (15 days/year), and paid maternity leave for eligible employees.
Holidays: Eleven paid holidays annually.
Employee Discounts: Special rates with various vendors and companies.
Longevity Payment: Rewards beginning at two years of service.
Well-being Programs: Thrive — Empower OTA employees to improve well-being.
OTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request.
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Position
Overview:
Government Affairs & Public Relations Coordinator serves as a key liaison between OTA and state/local government officials, legislative staff, stakeholders, and the public. Responsibilities include tracking legislation, preparing briefings, and managing correspondence with legislators and stakeholders, along with 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 OTA’s mission and transportation initiatives.
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; coordinate timely policy and procedural changes and meet statutory deadlines.
Assist in tracking proposed legislation by priority level, ensuring subject matter experts are updated as necessary and prepared to take action.
Attend relevant legislative committee meetings and interim studies; help prepare the Executive Director or other staff for 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 (e.g., press releases, fact sheets, marketing/communications collateral).
Support media relations by preparing talking points and facilitating interviews with subject matter experts.
Represent the agency at public meetings, community events, and other public engagements; deliver presentations to diverse 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 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. Routine sitting for long periods, manipulating objects, climbing or balancing, and crouching or crawling may be required.
Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with state legislative processes and transportation policy, preferably within 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 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.
Skills include building productive relationships with stakeholders, legislators, and legislative staff; analyzing and solving complex problems; excellent written, oral, and presentation communication; influence; and critical thinking.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively to select an appropriate course of action; produce reports, legislation, rules, policies, and programs to attain the agency’s goals; and work with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive efforts.
Benefits Highlights OTA is proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to support eligible employees and their 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: Pathfinder Defined Contribution Plan with employer matches; OPERS Defined Benefit Plan for reenrollment eligible employees.
Paid Leave: 15–25 days annually depending on years of service, plus sick leave (15 days/year), and paid maternity leave for eligible employees.
Holidays: Eleven paid holidays annually.
Employee Discounts: Special rates with various vendors and companies.
Longevity Payment: Rewards beginning at two years of service.
Well-being Programs: Thrive — Empower OTA employees to improve well-being.
OTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities may be provided upon request.
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