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SalaryDEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER - VOLUNTEER MAINE
Opening Date: March 14, 2024
Closing Date: April 4, 2024
Job Class Code: 0603
Grade: 25
Salary: $52,832.00 - $71,240.00/Annually
Position Number: 095100007
Purpose:
This is professional services work in researching and developing policy, procedures, and recommended strategies for communicating federal and Commission information to constituents in Maine. The position supports the board Communications Task Force through development of strategic communications plans and managing implementation of those plans with the goal of informing, educating, and disseminating information regarding available resources, programs, policies, and events. Also supports the private support organization by helping develop communications plan and activities to meet their goals. Work also includes coaching and coordinating outreach and recruitment initiatives of service year/National Service programs in Maine. Supervision may be exercised over summer interns. Work is performed under limited supervision.
Knowledge, skills & abilities:
- Knowledge of the structure and functions of government and the nonprofit sector.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of public communications work.
- Knowledge of the technical and operating aspects of a variety of print, broadcast, and digital media.
- Knowledge of the methods and techniques of disseminating information.
- Knowledge of current journalism practices and audience targeting.
- Knowledge of effective media, graphic, and/or visual design techniques.
- Ability to evaluate communication problems and recommend solutions.
- Ability to plan, oversee, and evaluate the work of interns and contractors.
- Ability to develop, promote, and conduct Public Information and citizen education programs/campaigns.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
- Ability to create and present informative and educational materials.
- Ability to evaluate communication problems and recommend solutions.
- Ability to plan, oversee, and evaluate the work of contractors.
- Ability to develop, promote, and conduct Public Information and citizen education programs/campaigns.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to organize, prioritize, and accomplish work that meets deadlines.
- Ability to develop procurement proposals and contracts.
- Ability to evaluate proposed plans for encouraging public participation.
Representative Tasks:
- Researches assigned area in order to assess existing situation.
- Recommend and implement strategies for communicating with key constituents including current or potential grantees and current or potential individual participants in National Service programs.
- Drafts for board Communications Task Force consideration and approval, the annual workplan based on research, present conditions, and recommended strategies.
- With guidance and involvement of the Communications Task Force, implements the strategies approved.
- Develops and tracks metrics for determining if strategies implemented are achieving the overall communications goals.
- Administers projects that impact assigned area in order to ensure work is accomplished in accordance with established procedure and optimize the use of allocated resources. Projects include:
- Planning and implementing Commission events and activities that fulfill Commission duties including recruitment support to AmeriCorps grantees and Maine Senior Corps programs;
- Creating media (videos, still images, web and hardcopy materials, news releases, trade show displays, social media) for communicating and educating constituents
- Maintaining a regular schedule of information releases or presentations to individuals, organizations, and the public in order to create awareness of service year opportunities, National Service grants, Maine Service Fellow host site opportunities, federal news impacting service and volunteer programs, and Commission activities.
- Supports the Maine Volunteer Foundation by drafting, and implementing policies and procedures that result in accomplishing the foundation’s annual work plan.
- Oversees the work of interns and contractors in order to ensure work is accomplished in a proper and timely manner.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A Bachelors Degree in assigned area and four (4) years of related work experience. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
Preference will be given to candidates with a combination of journalism, marketing, and production experience. An essential skill is ability to make any content ADA compliant/accessible. Prefer candidate who can use InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and video editing.
Preference will also be given to those who submit a cover letter and resume to be consdiered for an interview.
BENEFITS:
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
- Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
- Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
- Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
- Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).
- Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 13.41% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
- Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
- Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
- Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
- Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive four weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
- Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.
There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
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