Communications Specialist

State of Indiana; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 48,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension options

Paid holidays

Education reimbursement

LinkedIn Learning access

Free parking

Job summary

State of Indiana is seeking a Communications Specialist to plan, develop, write, and publish diverse content. You will work with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy, inform staff, and provide messaging and resources to customers with varied needs.

Join a large state employer offering robust benefits and a commitment to work-life balance. Expect collaboration across agencies, adherence to branding guidelines, and opportunities to impact Hoosiers across Indiana.

Qualifications

• Effective verbal and written communication for print, online, and social media.
• Strong understanding of messaging, audience segmentation, and communication strategies.
• Knowledge of journalistic principles and procedures for news releases and public information.
• Knowledge of methods for disseminating information and laws governing release of information.
• Working knowledge of photography and audio-visual equipment.
• Ability to use desktop publishing and graphic design software, as well as social media platforms and CMS.
• A degree is not required, but 5+ years of relevant experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with team to produce and publish communications.
• Provide feedback and corrections to content for internal and external audiences.
• Create and edit content assigned by leadership in communications.
• Ensure consistent voice across audiences and channels.
• Maintain SharePoint site and knowledge resources, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.
• Coordinate monthly/quarterly employee recognition and communications.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Messaging & audience segmentation

Journalistic principles

Public information release knowledge

Photography & AV knowledge

Desktop publishing & graphic design

Social media & website CMS

Tools

SharePoint

Content management systems

Graphic design software

Job description

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Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR):

The Indiana Department of Revenue team is comprised of over 700 staff that are located in 13 locations across the state of Indiana. We work collaboratively with the Indiana Governor's office, the General Assembly, state agencies, individuals, business owners, corporations, tax practitioners, and a variety of tax program participants to administer Indiana's tax laws. DOR administers over 65 tax types and annually processes nearly $21 billion of tax revenue. Our mission is to serve Indiana by administering tax laws in a fair, secure, and efficient manner.

Role Overview:

The Communications Specialist plans, develops, writes, and publishes a variety of content. You will collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure content is accurate and targeted. You will also contribute to agency success by ensuring staff members are informed and engaged. Externally, you will provide messaging, education, and resources for customers with various needs.

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience. Use our Compensation Calculator to view the total compensation package.

A Day in the Life:

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Collaborate with team members to produce and publish communications.
• Provide feedback on and corrections to content for internal and external audiences.
• Create and edit content assigned by the Assistant Director of communications and team.
• Evaluate and provide feedback to ensure the team maintains a consistent voice across different audiences.
• Critically evaluate the status of project deliverables and communicate them to the team and appropriate stakeholders.
• Establish, maintain, and follow the Communications team's standard operating procedures and Style and Branding Guide. Follow other agency-wide standard operating procedures as applicable.
• Maintain the SharePoint site and knowledge resources, ensuring information is current, accurate, organized, and accessible.
• Improve SharePoint organization, navigation, and accessibility to support employee self-service.
• Maintain bulletin boards and digital displays with timely information, announcements, recognition, statistics, and events.
• Coordinate monthly and quarterly employee recognition, including award notifications, communications, materials, and celebrations.
• Maintain communication schedules and timelines for recognition and employee engagement activities.
• Provide administrative support for attendance processes, including tracking, documentation, and routing requests.
• Support communication, knowledge management, engagement, recognition, and other assigned projects.
• Coordinate with leadership and team members to review, update, and publish content across appropriate communication channels.
• Identify opportunities to improve communication, information management, and employee engagement processes.
• Develop and distribute internal communications supporting priorities, employee awareness, and engagement.
• Execute short- and long-term goals to support the Department of Revenue's and Customer Experience Management's strategic plans.
• Manage multiple priorities and deliverables while meeting established deadlines.
• Other projects may be assigned, providing skill and professional development opportunities.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.

What You'll Need for Success:

Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including writing for print, online, and social media.
• Strong understanding of communication strategies, messaging, and audience segmentation.
• Specialized knowledge of journalistic principles and procedures to be followed in the preparation of news releases and other written products.
• Specialized knowledge of methods and techniques of disseminating information to the public and laws governing the release of information, i.e., releases that must be signed to use a photograph of a person.
• Working knowledge of photography and audio-visual equipment.
• Basic knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations relating to the agency.
• Ability to use desktop publishing and graphic design software, as well as social media platforms and website content management software.
• Ability to show good judgment in dealing with the public, other agencies, and news media in a public relations and public informational role.

A degree is not required. However, at least 5+ years of experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.

Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:

This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b)account (similar to401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
  • 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
  • Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parkingfor most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learningaccess

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [e-mail] .