Public Information Officer 3

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

Your Partner For A Stronger Arizona.

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona.

DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 3

Job Location:

Address: Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS)

1789 West Jefferson, Phoenix, Arizona 85007

www.azdes.gov

Posting Details:

Salary: $66,001.00

Grade: 21

Closing Date: July 2, 2024

Job Summary:

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals who are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view 'Our DES' video. Come Join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Public Information Officer (PIO). The Public Information Officer (PIO) collaborates with the Public Relations Chief, PIO 4, Division Assistant Director and other colleagues to assist in the facilitation of communication planning and implementation. This position creates and executes communications-related activities in alignment with unit value proposition, content calendar and ad hoc division needs.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the department's needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The state of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties:

Essential Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Drafts external content to highlight important initiatives and successes, including success stories, info-graphics, and media pitches, advisories and releases. Drafts supplementary digital content, including articles, how-to and info-graphics to support clients accessing DES services.

• Develops social media posts in coordination with the content calendar, division needs, events and other ad hoc requests. Coordinates with program staff, outreach and engagement teams, and G&D to develop content for collateral and campaigns.

• Develops and executes internal communications plans in alignment with unit communications plan/strategy. Drafts internal communications, including but not limited to, division-wide emails, AD messages and newsletters.

• Develops, reviews and revises web content based in coordination with program teams and web teams. Collaborates with Public Relations Chief and PIO 4 to build out content calendar for the month.

• Acts as an expert and primary point-of-contact for associated division(s) and provide input to division-specific speaking points as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of marketing.

• Principles of journalism.

• Principles of public relations.

• Advanced theories of persuasive writing and speaking.

• Accepted principles of written English, including punctuation, grammar, usage and style.

• Principles and methods of strategic planning.

• Preparation and production of written and visual materials and materials to be presented orally.

Skill in:

• Planning and implementing promotional campaigns.

• Writing and speaking clearly and succinctly.

• Addressing staff, clients, media and the general public with professionalism and courtesy.

• Developing and managing successful working relationships with a wide range of people.

• Preparing materials for oral, visual, or written presentation.

Ability to:

• Manage time and resources to consistently meet tight deadlines.

• Organize and promote special events.

• Think and speak extemporaneously.

• Draft content for internal and external dissemination on behalf of Division Assistant Directors and other staff as assigned.

Selective Preference(s):

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, political science or a closely related field and at least three (3) years of professional experience.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans

Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans

• 10 paid holidays per year

• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years

• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).

• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly

• Deferred compensation plan

• Wellness plans

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Stipend Opportunities

• Infant at Work Program

• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy

• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

• Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page.

Retirement:

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

Contact Us:

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Benson Walker at (480)318-4150 or email Bensonwalker@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (480) 318-4150. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.