Assistant Director Public Information; Special Assistant, NS-M1

Under the general direction of the Department’s Director of Public Information, the Assistant director Public Information, NS-M1, will be second in command of the Department of Public Service’s (DPS or Department) Public Information Office and perform duties which include, but are not limited to:

• Supervising and managing staff members in the Public Information Office.
• In relation to more complex matters: answering media inquiries, writing press statements, working with executive staff to deliver accurate information, and preparing Agency staff for interviews.
• Monitoring press coverage of DPS by reviewing compiled news clips and monitoring media outlets.
• Writing remarks, speeches, testimonies, and presentations conveying the Department’s mission and goals.
• Overseeing the updating of websites, distribution of content on social media, and reviewing social media posts to ensure accurate information.
• Ensuring that State and Department Branding standards are met.
• Assisting the Director Public Information in managing the work unit, Department communication projects and public information campaigns, and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Representing DPS on press and communication related activities.

Bachelor’s degree and four years of relevant progressively responsible experience
* in external communications, public relations, government affairs, or media relations. This experience must also include supervisory and/or managerial experience. Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills are a must.

Preferred qualifications include communications experience in the utilities or government sectors, and/or in the energy or environmental policy arena.

* Substitutions: four years of the specialized experience or associate’s degree and two years of the specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree;
Master’s degree may substitute for one year of the specialized experience; J.D. may substitute for two years of the specialized experience;
Ph.D. may substitute for three years of the specialized experience.