Public Information Officer
Salary
$46,203.00 - $78,218.00 Annually
Location
Wake County, NC
Job Type
Permanent Full-Time
Department
Dept of Environmental Quality
Job Number
21-12929 DEPA60035607
Closing
1/19/2022 5:00 PM Eastern
Work Location
Raleigh, North Carolina
Position Number
60035607
Recruitment Range
$46,203 - $62,216
This is a repost. Previous applicants do need to re-apply and still under consideration.
Salary Grade: GN12
Recruitment Range: $46,203 - $62,216
Department Information:
The primary mission of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is to provide science-based environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources. The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health, and also works to advance in all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina's needs. DEQ also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior with respect to the environment through education programs provided at DEQ facilities and through the state's school system. DEQ touches the lives of all North Carolinians in many ways to enhance and ensure our quality of life. To learn more about the Department of Environmental Quality please visit our website at http://deq.nc.gov/.
Division Information:
This position is assigned to the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs (EPA). EPA is responsible for supporting the department's initiatives and objectives through communications, outreach and dissemination of information to the public in a professional manner that can be understood by lay publics. EPA coordinates the department's communications, public information and outreach efforts through interaction with citizens and the news media, social media, publication production, special events and public information programs and initiatives, and serves in an advisory position to the secretary and senior management regarding a broad array of internal and external communications issues.
Primary Purpose of Position:
This position serves as the lead public information officer for the North Carolina Division of Air Quality. It requires interaction with industry, citizens' groups, other state, federal and local agencies and the news media. Responsible for collecting, managing and disseminating information to the public and specific audiences. Developing and maintaining communication channels related to air quality issues, and for coordinating and fulfilling public records requests. Coordinates events where appropriate, including planning, public notice, day-of execution, and post-event close-out and reporting. Frequently interacts with others in the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's Public Affairs Office to ensure that the division's and department's messages are clear and cohesive. Establishes and maintains working relationships with the public and representatives of the news media.
This position serves as a communications advisor to department and division leadership, including responding to phone calls, letters and emails from citizens; writing, editing and overseeing the design of brochures, other publications, social media posts, website and exhibits; helping publicize and conduct public meetings and hearings; helping respond to air quality-related communications with the Division of Air Quality's director and other officials; conducting media training as needed, and developing messaging. Duties include providing responses to media inquiries, keeping apprised of newsworthy issues within the division, and communicating developments to the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as division and department leadership.
This position serves as a subject matter expert, media liaison and spokesperson on division related issues. The position must maintain effective working relationships with the news media; provide prompt responses to requests for information; track and share media reports on agency-related issues and keep division and department leadership informed about newsworthy developments. The position provides communications that support a wide range of environmental issues.
This position writes and edits speeches, press releases, talking points, editorials, social media posts, web content, and other communications content with attention to proper grammar, spelling and Associated Press style. The position proactively identifies and pitches positive news stories and timely opinion pieces. The position provides communications guidance to leadership in the division and the department. The position assists the division with reports and public presentations, and manages events, including public hearings and other public-facing duties as appropriate.
The position is responsible for maintaining the Division of Air Quality's website, and reviewing, editing and posting website content. The position also proactively pitches and produces relevant content for publication in the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's social media platforms.
The position also assists staff with internal communications, including writing, editing and reviewing reports, graphics and other documents, and keeping division staff informed of internal developments.
This person will advance media events for division and department leadership and staff division and department leadership when news media is present.
The position fulfills public records requests in accordance with the state public records law. The position fulfills other duties as assigned by the Deputy Secretary for Public Affairs and Communications Director.
The work schedule for this position is Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and may require working beyond normal work schedule to meet the business need. This position is physically located in Raleigh, North Carolina, Wake County.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies
**To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit**
Qualified applicants must possess and the application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:
- Demonstrated work experience planning public information meetings and/or outreach activities.
- Demonstrated work experience maintaining and updating websites.
- Demonstrated work experience creating documents using Microsoft Office Suite.
- Demonstrated knowledge of editing and analyzing information and/or material prepared by others.
Applicant must meet both the Minimum Education and Experience Requirements and all posted Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies requirements to be considered Qualified for the position.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media, journalism, English, or related field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Supplemental and Contact Information
To apply for this position, please click the APPLY button. All relevant experience must be included on the application to receive proper credit. Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted.
If multiple applications are submitted by an applicant to an individual position, only the most recent application received prior to the posting closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
Applicants requesting and / or receiving an accommodation via the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax but must be received by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
Persons eligible for veteran preference must upload a copy of Form DD-214 and attach to the application.
Persons eligible for RIF priority must upload their letter of notification and attach to the application. This applies to those employees that are subject to Articles 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14 of G.S. 126. This does not include employees of the legislative and judicial branches, the public school and community college systems, or other employees that are exempt from these Articles of the Human Resources Act.
DEQ uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Personnel Act with the most qualified applicants. When a salary range is posted, the actual salary will be based on relevant competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities, internal equity and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.
The State of North Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For technical issues with your application, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627.
For additional information, please contact:
Sheila Green
Phone & Fax: 919-707-8434
Email: sheila.green@ncdenr.gov
Agency
State of North Carolina
Address
NOTE: Apply to the department listed on posting
An Equal Opportunity Employer, North Carolina, State Government
Website