Outreach & Engagement Specialist; Public Information Officer IV

Outreach & Engagement Specialist (Public Information Officer IV)

Join to apply for the Outreach & Engagement Specialist (Public Information Officer IV) role at the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT)

Are you looking for a rewarding career with an organization that values its staff? The Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) seeks qualified candidates to work in a dynamic, creative environment. This position serves as the Outreach & Engagement Specialist, planning, developing, administering, and coordinating outreach, communications, and event programs for DoIT. In this role you will coordinate the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program, deliver, promote, and support effective STEAM instruction and related initiatives, and respond to inquiries or requests from the media or other sources related to the agency’s programs and services.

You will also maintain regular access to sensitive and confidential information.

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position)
• 10–25 days of paid vacation annually (10 days first year of state employment)
• 12 days of paid sick time annually; carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per year
• 13–14 paid holidays per year; dependent on election years
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre‑tax programs – Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) and Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility

• Under administrative direction, serve as the Outreach & Engagement Specialist to plan, develop, administer, and coordinate outreach, communications, and event programs and provide comprehensive support in internal campaign management, event planning, communications, and social media strategy, ensuring effective outreach and promotion of agency initiatives.
• Coordinate the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program, delivering, promoting, and supporting effective STEAM instruction and related initiatives.
• Respond to inquiries or requests from the media or other sources related to the agency’s programs and services and research, gather, organize, and compose information for the agency’s annual report.
• Maintain regular access to sensitive and confidential information and maintain files of source materials, news articles, and other documents for future reference.
• Perform other duties as reasonably required or assigned.

• Knowledge and skills equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with courses in journalism, English, or public speaking.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience.

• Three (3) years of professional experience in a public education and information program in a public or private agency.

• Three (3) years of professional experience developing and implementing comprehensive communication and outreach strategies, including integrated campaigns, media relations, social media, and digital marketing within a large public or private organization.
• Three (3) years of professional experience planning, managing, and executing public events, educational programs, or community outreach initiatives, preferably with an emphasis on STEAM/STEM-focused audiences or technology awareness programs.
• Three (3) years of professional experience creating and curating multimedia content, including graphics, video, social media posts, presentations, and newsletters tailored to diverse audiences using tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud or Canva.
• Three (3) years of experience using analytics and reporting tools to measure, report, and improve the performance of communication campaigns and audience engagement activities.
• Three (3) years of experience presenting, teaching, or facilitating workshops for K‑12 schools, higher education institutions, or community-based audiences, with a…