Deputy Press Secretary

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA benefits

Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision)

Disability Coverage

Life and AD&D Insurance

FSAs

PFML

Holidays and Leave

Discounts on State benefits program

Job summary

State of Colorado's Office of the Governor is seeking a Deputy Press Secretary to support communications for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and First Lady. You will prepare for speaking engagements, media appearances, and oversee media relations with accuracy and speed.

You will draft press materials, coordinate interviews, manage rapid response, and assist with event planning and crisis communications, contributing to statewide outreach and public information efforts.

Qualifications

• One or more years of experience in communications, media relations, or a related field.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and articulately.
• Project management skills, including the ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, delegate, and create systems and processes.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
• Careful attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Experience building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders with varying perspectives and interests, including advocates and the media.

Responsibilities

• Draft press releases and media advisories, and prepare materials for media relations, press conferences, engagements, and requests
• Handle a high volume of media inquiries and respond in a timely manner
• Support logistics, respond to requests, and coordinate interviews for television, radio, and print and digital media
• Support rapid response and crisis communications
• Support the communications team’s work with statewide agency public information officers as needed
• Participate in event planning and logistics for the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, including the Governor’s news conferences
• Operate the videoconference system during press conferences, with training provided
• Ensure that protocol is met during the Governor’s and the Lieutenant Governor’s speaking engagements
• Assist with sound equipment for news conferences and public events hosted by the office
• Complete research assignments as directed in a timely manner
• Staff the Governor or the Lieutenant Governor at public events and interviews as needed

Job description

Who We Are

Colorado Governor-elect Phil Weiser is committed to an administration that represents all of Colorado, and serves and protects every Coloradan. Governor-elect Weiser and his team will lead State government to ensure that we serve the people of Colorado, working to make their lives better, and together, we meet opportunities and challenges with creativity, collaboration, and compassion. His commitment to serve as the People’s Governor means that he and his team will have a sustained focus on how to make Colorado safer, more affordable, more sustainable, and a great place to live, build a business, and raise a family.

We Have Strong Core Values

Our core values drive our actions. We are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, acting with integrity, and operating transparently; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about improving the lives of the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to solve problems creatively and operate with a continuous improvement mindset; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other as a team and collaborate effectively.

Department Information

The Office of the Governor oversees the operation of the executive branch of state government, including the coordination, direction, and planning of agency operations. The Office of the Governor’s staff includes budgeting, communications and outreach, legal counsel, legislative liaison, operations, policy and research, and scheduling.

Department:

Office of the Governor

Position Title:

Deputy Press Secretary

Summary of Functions:

The Deputy Press Secretary supports the communications team in ensuring that the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the First Lady are prepared for all speaking and media engagements, including media availabilities, interviews, speeches, and public appearances, and works closely with the policy team on content.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Draft press releases and media advisories, and prepare materials for media relations, press conferences, engagements, and requests

• Handle a high volume of media inquiries and respond in a timely manner

• Support logistics, respond to requests, and coordinate interviews for television, radio, and print and digital media

• Support rapid response and crisis communications

• Support the communications team’s work with statewide agency public information officers as needed

• Participate in event planning and logistics for the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, including the Governor’s news conferences

• Operate the videoconference system during press conferences, with training provided

• Ensure that protocol is met during the Governor’s and the Lieutenant Governor’s speaking engagements

• Assist with sound equipment for news conferences and public events hosted by the office

• Complete research assignments as directed in a timely manner

• Staff the Governor or the Lieutenant Governor at public events and interviews as needed

Organizational Relationships:

Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Chief of Staff; Deputy Chief of Staff; Chief Communications Officer; Administrative Director; First Lady; Director of Community Engagement; Digital Director; Office of Policy & Initiatives; Office of Legislative Affairs; Speechwriter; Communications Coordinator

Preferred Education/Experience:

• One or more years of experience in communications, media relations, or a related field

• Strong writing and editing skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and articulately

• Project management skills, including the ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, delegate, and create systems and processes

• The ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions

• Careful attention to detail and strong organizational skills

• Experience building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders with varying perspectives and interests, including advocates and the media

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with AP style

• Experience working with diverse constituencies and communities across the state

• Additional language skills

Conditions of Employment:

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment and reside in Colorado once employed

Benefits

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage

• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage

• Life and AD&D Insurance

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)

• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave

• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

ADAAA Requests

The State of Colorado is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our office will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at [e-mail].

We believe that diverse teams produce better results and encourage people of a variety of backgrounds and qualifications to apply.