Public Information Officer

Job Title Public Information Officer Division/Department Administrative Office of the Courts Government Relations and Public Affairs Closing Date November 5, 2026 Location 187 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401 Salary $133,133 FLSA Status Exempt At Will Yes Position Type Fulltime/ Hybrid The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans.

Telework eligibility is based on job functions and the approval of the Administrative Head. Maryland Judiciary Benefits (mdcourts.gov) About the Maryland Court System | Maryland Courts (mdcourts.gov) Maryland Judiciary Pay Scale June 2026 Main Purpose of Role: This position serves as spokesperson for the Maryland Judiciary.

Manages and leads internal communications and public affairs for the Judiciary. The Public Information Officer oversees the development and implementation of strategies to communicate the Judiciary?s work and messages effectively to internal and external stakeholders. The Public Information Officer supervises a team of up to six professionals on a variety of initiatives to ensure a comprehensive range of communications services.

These services extend to all programmatic and administrative units? strategy and message development; editorial support; design and creative services; speech writing, media/event planning; digital and video production; web design; and social media. The office oversees all communications policies, guidelines, and processes in order to manage the Judiciary?

s brand, ensure the production of high-quality work, and effectively steward the Judiciary?s resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Communications Strategy: Provide strategic communications counsel to senior leadership, judges, and key staff to create and execute comprehensive, integrated communications strategies that advance the Judiciary?s mission and operational objectives. Oversee communications for various initiatives, with the goal of educating internal and external stakeholders.

Develop communications strategies for new and growing projects in collaboration with the organization?s senior leadership. Direct development of contractors and consultants when needed, to ensure the highest degree of quality-of-service delivery and standards. Media Relations: Cultivate and develop strategic media relationships at the national, state, and local levels.

Translate complicated legal issues and procedures into messages that resonate with media and public. Direct the creation, development, and implementation of effective media strategies that contribute to a well-defined public presence for the Judiciary. Generate positive media coverage in new and creative ways; effectively curtail negative press; manage overall reputation/image among relevant stakeholders and communities.

Monitor national, state, and local press coverage and adjust communications strategies as appropriate. Work with communications staff to create proactive media opportunities for subject matter experts and provide guidance for effectively delivering the organization?s message. Creative Collaboration: Direct collaboration of communications staff with internal departments and external partnerships ?

utilizing the Judiciary?s digital, multimedia, strategy, graphic, and editorial staff to ensure message fidelity and the highest quality execution to achieve program goals. Prepare and/or supervise the production of written materials including but not limited to speeches, media releases, annual reports, brochures, etc.

Advise the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and other top-level officials about public communications. Review all editorial content and multimedia content to ensure quality standards and consistency in messaging and Judiciary?s branding. Serve as project manager for media developers? work products, online and print publications, and other collateral materials for public relations, public education, and marketing purposes.

Staff Judicial Council Committees as necessary. Oversee administrative items such as the annual budget, procurement/GEARS, personnel issues, and Judiciary committee assignments; sign timesheets, approve leave, conduct employee evaluations, assign work, approve work, coach and/or counsel, inspect work, make hiring recommendations, make termination recommendations, and recommend disciplinary actions.

Function effectively and collaboratively as part of the Division. Serve as an instructor for the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Institute for Court Management (ICM) course on Court Community Communication annually for three years. (Training on this will be provided.) Communications Leadership Serve as part of the leadership team of communications staff supporting the major AOC divisions; assist Head of AOC, Assistant State Court Administrators, and management to ensure transparency and enhanced internal communications for employees.

Provide strategic and tactical counsel in crisis situations to protect organizational reputation and ability to achieve program goals. Support senior division leadership with internal and external communications needs, ranging from reporting to leadership, to public speaking and media interviews. Manage staff. Perform other duties or special projects as needed.

Respond to judicial record requests, public information inquiries and requests, as needed; these requests may be from citizens, organizations, or the media and may involve research to be gathered from Judicial Information Systems (JIS) or other judicial departments. Present large or expansive data requests to the Major Projects Committee, as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor?s degree from an accredited college or university. Experience: Eight (8) years of professional work experience in public affairs, media relations, or communications strategy, or a combination thereof. Four (4) years of experience supervising professional staff. Note: Professional work experience as defined above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for up to four (4) years of the required education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: Rapidly evolving media and communications field. Principles of office management and supervision in a multi-site, matrixed environment. Maryland court access rules, Judicial Code of Ethics, and Maryland Public Information Act. Judicial and legal systems. Skill in: Message development and understanding of how key messages will be perceived by the media and reading/listening/viewing audiences.

Public, media, and interpersonal communication and relations. Verbal and written communication to engage effectively within and outside the organization. Critical thinking. Customer service and responding to inquiries in a timely manner. Organization and time management. Project management from inception to launch. Ability to: Provide proactive and reactive media relations to promote Judiciary news accurately and effectively.

Teach communications courses and workshops. Provide communications counsel to executive-level staff and judges. Troubleshoot and anticipate barriers in meeting deadlines. Coach employees in their work and set work-related expectations. Prioritize staffing, work, and projects and adjust schedules and workload. Perform administrative duties, including a supervisory level budget and personnel matters.

Perform all essential functions of the position. Selection Process: Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.

Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, you must list each position that you held, the length of time that you held each position, and the corresponding duties. Description of duties that state, "see resume" will negatively impact consideration for this position.

Applicants will not be contacted for additional information. Only applicants considered for this position will be contacted. Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

For further information please contact Talent Acquisition at aocta@mdcourts.gov . The Maryland Judiciary is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, military or veteran status , physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law.

Applicants who need an ADA Accommodation during the application and/or interview process should send their request via email to ADA@mdcourts.gov or call 410-260-1732. The Maryland Judiciary is a drug-free workplace. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Please find the Maryland Judiciary's equal employment opportunity policy here: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation .