Public Information Coordinator II

State of South Carolina; Belmont Estates (SC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of South Carolina Forestry Commission seeks a Public Information Coordinator to lead internal and external newsletters, maintain the agency website, and serve as official spokesperson. You will develop content, coordinate outreach, and provide educational support across programs, with emphasis on branding and consistent messaging.

The role requires strong writing, design sensibility, and media relations skills, plus ability to travel for events and public appearances.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with experience in developing and disseminating informational material using visual media and digital platforms.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Criminal background check is required.
• Experience producing organizational newsletters and promotional materials.
• Working knowledge of WordPress and design principles.
• AP style and journalistic practices with strong writing and grammar.

Responsibilities

• Produce internal and external newsletters; plan, write and publish content.
• Maintain and update the agency website; create new content/pages as needed.
• Serve as official spokesperson; handle media inquiries and public information.
• Coordinate external outreach and educational activities for the agency.
• Write and edit press releases; represent the agency at events.
• Perform public information administrative duties for the Division of Communications & Public Information.

Skills

WordPress

AP style

Public speaking

Journalistic principles

Design

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Media relations

Communication

Grammar

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism/Mass Communications/Communications

Valid driver's license

Tools

WordPress

Microsoft Office

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

The Responsibilities of the Public Information Coordinator:

Manages all duties related to the production of the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s internal and external newsletters, primarily the planning, gathering, writing and production thereof. Responsible for the maintenance of the agency's website, updating content regularly, creating new content as needed and serving as the technical contact for website performance. Performs other general public information, external outreach and educational assistance for the agency, including serving as official spokesperson. Performs communication-related administrative duties for the Division of Communications & Public Information.

• Collaborates with agency employees and departments, as well as external partners, to compile, write and publish engaging content for the agency’s Tree Country newsletter. Performs basic photography, layout, graphic/photo manipulation and other design work related to the packaging of informational content, reinforcing the consistency of agency branding and messaging, and distributing the finished product in a timely fashion.
• Manages every aspect of the agency's website, maintaining currency by updating personnel, maps, statistics and all other content on demand; creating new content/pages as needed; and serving as the contact for all technical matters, liaising with the website's third-party developer to address server performance, accessibility issues and other needs as they arise.
• Responds to requests for information and assistance from media, landowners, citizens and partners about everything from prescribed burns and wildfires to smoke complaints and agency services, among others. Manages media contact lists and performs a wide range of other administrative duties, including printing, material-mailing, completion of financial reports and other recordkeeping duties. Serves as one of the agency’s external outreach contact and representatives for making in-person and virtual appearances at partner-organized, education-related and community events.
• Serves as one of the agency's official spokespersons, providing accurate, timely and transparent media responses and interviews about wildfires, emergency situations and agency services, among others, while protecting the agency's brand, image and reputation. Writes and edits press releases (Red Flag Fire Alerts, burn bans, arrests). Serves as an official agency representative at partner-led, education-related and community events (Wood Magic, FASC annual conference).
• Performs other duties as required in support of the agency’s mission and strategic initiatives.

• A bachelor's degree with experience related to the development and dissemination of informational material specifically using visual media and digital platforms.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• A criminal background check is required.

• Preferred: A bachelor's degree in Journalism, Mass Communications or Communications and one year of relevant experience writing, producing, editing, packaging and distributing content for a variety of internal and external audiences and purposes.

• This position is based in an office environment, but also involves working outdoors for agency, partner and community events. Must be able to remain stationary for extended periods of time working on a computer. Must be able to lift 25lbs, bend, and squat.
• Normal work schedule is M-F from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Requires travel for work during regular business hours and sometimes at night or overnight, and occasionally working on weekends and multi-day, out-of-town events. Night and weekend monitoring of and responsiveness to internal and external communications required.
• Experience producing organizational newsletters, promotional material and other information-based collateral materials. Working knowledge of current website design, population and maintenance, specifically in WordPress, with a demonstrable proficiency in applying the elements and principles of design. Working knowledge of basic journalistic principles and practices, composition and style, including Associated Press (AP) style, and a strong proficiency in proper spelling and grammar. Ability to do primary research on agency-related topics, as well as the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources, then curate and convey that information in a clear, concise, accurate and engaging manner. Ability to effectively communicate orally and through the written word, establish good rapport with stakeholders and provide accurate and timely responses to the public. Demonstrable proficiency in relevant Microsoft and Adobe software applications.
• Position is subject to random, post incident/accident, reasonable suspicion and rehabilitation monitoring and drug and alcohol testing consistent with SCFC Drug-Free Workplace.