Communications Specialist

Our mission is simply stated: ERS offers competitive benefits to enhance the lives of its members. Each team member across the agency contributes to our ongoing success.ERS is open for business five days a week, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, to meet customers where they need us: in person, on the phone, in their communities, and online. ERS currently offers opportunities that include flexible work schedules.

ERS is seeking a Communications Specialist to perform highly complex (senior-level) informational and educational work as part of the Editorial and Content Development team in the Benefits Communications (BCOM) Division. Work involves leading projects, acting as newsletter and publications editor and working as a part of a team to develop website content. Works under limited supervision of the Director of Benefits Communications, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• Writes and serves as project team lead on an ERS newsletter and other publications.
  • Writes and edits articles, features, training manuals, brochures, fliers, fact sheets and other publications on retirement, insurance and other topics as needed.
  • Plans, schedules and sends newsletter issues and other publications.
  • Develops story ideas and topics relevant to activities at ERS and in ERS’s benefits plans.
  • Coordinates images and layout with graphic designers.
  • Maintains production and publication materials in an organized and accessible manner, in adherence with record retention standards.
  • May coordinate photo shoots.
  • May serve as the liaison to internal and external print shops to obtain pricing quotes, coordinate printing and fulfillment, and approve printing samples for designated materials.
• Serves as subject matter expert for communications about specific benefits programs – developing strategy and content, and overseeing communications developed both in-house and by external administrators and vendors.
  • Writes and edits education and marketing communications materials such as articles, special features, brochures, fact sheets and other content in a style consistent with organizational standards and appropriate for the targeted audience.
  • Creates and manages various communication project timelines.
  • Drafts strategic communications, such as presentations and talking points, on complex benefits-related topics.
  • Maintains materials in an organized and accessible manner, in adherence with record retention standards.
  • Conducts project team meetings and briefings.
  • Seeks out and utilizes customer and audience input, readership and satisfaction surveys, and other research data to develop, evaluate and improve communications materials.
  • Assists with development of presentations on plan information, and may present plan information in person or online.
  • Assists with the solicitation and implementation of third-party administrators for ERS’s benefits programs:
    Reviews and evaluates communications-related information in Requests for Proposals and in bidders’ responses; and manages communications surrounding implementation of new TPAs including, but not limited to, developing strategy, guiding plan administrators’ communication staff, managing reviews, and conducting in-person and online presentations.
• Contributes content for the ERS member website and assists in keeping website content accurate, understandable and easy to navigate.
• Contributes accurate and engaging content to ERS’s social media pages.
• Performs related work as assigned.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.
• Complies with all applicable agency policies and procedures, including safety and standards of conduct.

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in marketing, journalism, public relations, communications or a related field. Qualifying experience beyond the minimum required may substitute for education.

2. Three (3) years of professional experience developing, writing and editing communications for publication or advertising.

3. Experience in communicating information about…