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Form of workThe Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a highly ambitious, driven, professional for the role of Communications Coordinator. Reporting directly to the agency Director of Public Affairs, this dynamic individual will serve as a point of contact for all internal and external communications. The successful candidate must be self-motivated, engaged, and a collaborative team player who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment while supporting the agency's communications and marketing strategy consisting of content development, editing, social media, and intranet/website updates.
The Communications Coordinator.will assist the Director of Public Affairs with media inquiries and message development and will support agency managers involved with disseminating information to external and internal stakeholders. The Coordinator may be required to work some nights/weekends and occasionally travel to meetings across the state.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):
Provide ongoing communications support in a variety of capacities, including not limited to, fielding media inquiries, drafting press releases and maintaining various editorial content.
Assist the Director in preparing and reviewing communications (e.g. speeches, memoranda, reports); offer guidance on content and the most effective medium for delivery.
Draft and manage social media content to engage audiences, including social media posts, articles, videos, and photos; ensure agency branding is accurate and consistent across channels.
Support the maintenance of the DCF external website including posting, editing, and updates.
Prepare agency leadership for media interviews and other public events including compiling talking points, statistics, and case details.
Foster and maintain relationships with agency management, internal/external staff and other engaged stakeholders.
Identify and recommend news, public interest and other story ideas that will help generate greater awareness about DCF as well as key programs, activities, and initiatives.
Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency, and risks and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the agency
Preferred Qualifications:
Compelling writer who can draft content concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in logical sequence.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations and the laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the release of information
Expertise with social media and digital media applications and best practices
Capacity to exercise sound judgment and to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
Ability to present complex information, including data, to a variety of audiences (ranging from subject matter experts to the general public) by utilizing a variety of formats (e.g. written articles, oral or visual presentations)
Understanding diversity, equity, and inclusion in the context of communication
High level of self-motivation and accountability, bringing enthusiasm and energy to tasks
Detail-oriented and highly organized, with strong ability to successfully multi-task and manage priorities.
Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; technically savvy utilizing a variety of website and social media platforms.
About the Department of Children and Families:
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF's vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.
DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning.
For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants."
As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 4.
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, and (B) of which at least one year must have been in a supervisory capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience.*
II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience.*
III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*
*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
NOTE: No substitutions will be permitted for the required (B) experience.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.
