JOB TITLE: COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR 1

JOB CODE: 05900

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Communications Director job series describes work in the management and support of an agency’s communications functions.

DEFINITION: This is professional public relations work directing the internal and external communications program for a commonwealth agency characterized by limited public visibility and sensitivity to program activities.

An employee in this job is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing internal and external communications, including media relations, public information, digital communications, and promotional/marketing functions in smaller state agencies with moderately complex and/or moderately sensitive liaison involvements with public or private entities, other state agencies, and branches of government. Work involves directing the preparation and transmittal, through all public relations media, of information concerning the programs, services, policies, and accomplishments of the department; providing advisory and consultative services to the agency head on public relations matters; representing the agency and agency officials as the official spokesperson; supervising and participating in writing speeches and other public presentations for the Secretary and top agency officials; and writing or overseeing the development of internal communications. Employees typically supervise a small professional and technical staff engaged in public relations activities. Work is under the general direction of the agency Secretary, with oversight by the Governor’s Communications Office, who evaluates work timeliness, responsiveness, and effectiveness of results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates a departmental public relations program, including media relations, public information, digital communications, and promotional/marketing functions.

Develops long and short term communications plans and messaging goals and strategies.

Serves as media consultant and principal advisor to the secretary on communications and public relations matters, including the public relations implications of agency programs and policies.

Analyzes and evaluates the public relations impact of proposed or existing agency programs and policies and provides input to the Secretary and other officials in the formulation or modification of programs or policies.

Arranges and schedules, or oversees the arranging and scheduling of, interviews between agency personnel and the news media.

Selects and prepares a variety of informational material to be presented to the media.

Directs the development and implementation of media events including press conferences, tours, and availabilities.

Prepares or directs the preparation of talking points, news releases, advisories, op-eds, letters to the editor, and memos; television, radio, and film scripts; and brochures, pamphlets, reports, publications, and similar written and graphic public information and promotional material.

Writes, or directs the writing of, speeches or talking points for the Secretary or other top agency officials.

Serves as spokesperson for the agency.

Oversees the development of marketing materials.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.

Employees in this job may participate in subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of principles and methods of planning and conducting a communications and public relations program.

Knowledge of all media used in communications and public relations.

Knowledge of writing and editing techniques.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to speak effectively before large groups.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be evaluated by the State Civil Service Commission or used for Civil Service examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.):

Knowledge of principles and practices of governmental organization and administration.

Knowledge of the techniques to analyze and evaluate the public relations impact of agency programs and policies and the effectiveness of various public relations and communications media and methods.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

Four years of professional experience in the field of public relations, including three years in a responsible administrative or supervisory capacity; and a bachelor's degree with major course work in journalism, communications, English, or a closely related field;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training.