Ocacs communications director - marketing & communications specialist iv

Department Information

This position is open only to classified permanent employees of the State of Colorado and individuals currently on reemployment lists.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

About This Unit:

The Office of Children, Aging and Community Services (OCACS) works to ensure fulfillment of the Department’s mission and goals to promote safety, permanency and well-being for the children, youth and families served by the Division of Child Welfare (DCW), Adult, Aging Protective Services (AAPS), and the Domestic Violence Program (DVP).

The communications work unit exists to manage the OCACS communications relative to internal programs and divisions as well as external activities, including the supervision of 64 counties’ human/social services for compliance with the Federal and State statutes and regulations, as well as educational purposes for the prevention of child abuse or neglect.

Description of Job

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work. Please note: Work arrangements are subject to change at any time.

What You Will Be Doing:

This position exists to manage OCACS communications and special projects relative to internal programs and divisions. The position plans and designs communication strategies and goals that support and align with Department, Office, and Division goals. This includes developing marketing communications, advertising, education, and promotional materials and courses that communicate programmatic initiatives, OCACS, and Department information that needs to be communicated to internal and external stakeholders. Helps the Department’s central Communications Office with Department-wide initiatives and special projects upon request. Responsible for drafting and editing written work products from the OCACS to include: budget requests, department-wide communications (both written and verbal), and OCACS and other Department-wide policies.

Supervises and ensures all recruitment, outreach, and retention efforts are coordinated and aligned to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect and the need for foster and adoptive families. The position is responsible for developing communication strategies and goals that support program, Division and Agency goals and ensure that the communication unit’s goals are met annually.

Summary of Duties:

• Communications - Responsible for developing and implementing OCACS Communications strategies and initiatives, including website and social media initiatives. Responsible for the leading, designing, and implementing state’s official public awareness campaign to report child abuse and neglect, including messages about preventing child abuse and neglect, knowing the signs of abuse and neglect, and becoming a foster and adoptive parent. Develops annual OCACS communication plan outlining communication strategies and goals. Designs, writes, and distributes OCACS newsletters and communications. Drafts and edits talking points, presentations and documents for the Office Director and Deputy Director. Updates OCACS and Division internet and intranet sites ensuring sites are up-to-date and clear, with relevant information. Advises and guides OCACS programs on strategies to communicate with target audiences. In partnership with OCACS programs, develops clear communication regarding OCACS processes and procedures. Provides assistance with other OCACS and Department-wide communication or information gathering initiatives, information gathering or dissemination. Provides expertise to the OCACS Office Director, Deputy Director, and Division Directors regarding communications, internal to the Department, and external to the Department, including communications with the Governor’s Office and the legislature. Develops materials related to the strategic priorities of the Office for broad dissemination to government and community partners. May need to travel occasionally, sometimes overnight, to meet with OCACS Program staff located outside of the Denver Metro area.
• Communication Partnerships - Develops relationships with core media partners to coordinate background and live interviews in response to emerging issues. Coordinates with DCW program staff to respond to media requests and shape talking points in response to inquiries. Collaborates with the Attorneys General and CDHS Legal to clear messaging and responses to media inquiries to ensure public information provided is aligned with legal guidelines. Acts as liaison to CDHS Communications. Attends CDHS Communications meetings. Composes and coordinates requests for information for talking points for the Senior Executive Team, budget requests and CORA requests. Draft press releases for OCACS, in coordination with CDHS Communications.
• Work Lead - Is a work lead to the Recruitment and Retention Communications Specialist and the Public Awareness Campaign Coordinator. Supports efforts to meet operational goals. Has authority to determine priorities and direction of program efforts. Creates a culture that fosters success by providing performance management through feedback and coaching. Addresses performance issues in a timely, responsible manner and effectively recognizes high performers. Articulates changes in organizational and business priorities to staff in ways that encourage action and support. Conducts interim and annual performance evaluations with assigned staff and is responsible to ensure workplace equity and leadership development for staff occurs, and maintains staff records. Supports the development of employees that results in improved performance. Creates and maintains a work environment that builds talent to ensure the continuity of leadership for the organization. Gathers information from OCACS programs and divisions and ensures requests are responded to in a timely manner.
• Graphic Design - Works with OCACS programs to plan and design communications by determining scope of project, developing strategy to reach audience, developing graphic, audio or visual images that further the communication strategy and are consistent with the intended message, and ensuring content is appropriate, clear and technically correct. Advises and guides OCACS programs on design and layout of program communications, to be aligned with the overall OCACS communication plan/strategy. Designs layout of art and copy regarding arrangement, size, type size and style, graphics, and related aesthetic concepts. Completes projects by coordinating with OCACS programs and outside vendors or departments. Maintains technical knowledge by attending design workshops, reviewing professional publications and participating in professional societies. May need to travel occasionally, sometimes overnight, to work with OCACS programs outside of the Denver Metro area.

Other Duties As Assigned

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience Only: Seven (7) years of relevant experience in developing organizational communications strategies across a variety of platforms, while managing multiple projects. Demonstrated hands-on experience managing marketing campaigns, with knowledge of budgeting, campaign tracking and Media/public relations experience including proactive pitching, drafting of media advisories, press releases and media responses; as well as media training leaders in preparation of media engagements. Experience writing and producing content for a variety of audiences in a manner that is culturally relevant and accessible to all.

OR

Education and Experience: A combination of related education in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, Public Policy and/or relevant experience in developing organizational communications strategies across a variety of platforms, while managing multiple projects. Demonstrated hands-on experience managing marketing campaigns, with knowledge of budgeting, campaign tracking and Media/public relations experience including proactive pitching, drafting of media advisories, press releases and media responses; as well as media training leaders in preparation of media engagements. Experience writing and producing content for a variety of audiences in a manner that is culturally relevant and accessible to all equal to seven (7) years.

Preferred Qualifications:

An advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, public policy or a related field. Communications or public affairs experience in government, the public sector, on the non-profit sector. Experience with Colorado General Assembly budget processes or communicating complex policy, legislative, or systemic issues to public officials, community partners, media or other external audiences. Experience managing communications involving sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters. Specialized expertise in marketing, media and public relations, website design, content creation and communications with communities of interest.

COWINS Partnership Agreement:

Relevant years of State service should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process. Part-time relevant years of State service will be prorated.

TRANSFERS ONLY:

Relevant years of State service will be considered as a preferred qualification and given the weight of at least 15% of the overall score under the process. Relevant years of State service contribute to a candidate's position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior, or other posted competency.

Conditions of Employment:

Special Qualifications: Experience with Communications strategy development and implementation, development of high-quality written work product in multiple media formats, Graphic Design, policy analysis and editing. Preferred—Masters of Public Administration or other public service degrees, certification in graphic design software.

Standard Background Check:

ALL CDHS employees (non-direct contact): CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Driver’s license). This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.

Travel:

Travels throughout the state, with occasional overnight travel, to meet with OAS programs located outside of the Denver Metro area.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

At (303) 866-3300, or Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).