Public Information Coordinator II

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

Job summary

The State of South Carolina seeks a Public Information Coordinator to craft and publish engaging content for agency communications, manage branding, and coordinate newsletter production. Primary duties include basic photography, design, and distributing content on time.

You will maintain the agency website, update personnel and maps, respond to media requests, serve as a spokesperson, and support outreach at events, while upholding AP style and clear public messaging.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with experience developing and disseminating informational material using visual media and digital platforms.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Criminal background check is required.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with agency employees and external partners to compile, write and publish engaging content for the agency’s Tree Country newsletter, and performs basic photography and design work for content packaging.
• Manages every aspect of the agency’s website, keeps content current, updates personnel, maps, statistics, and content on demand, and coordinates with third‑party developers on technical needs.
• Responds to information requests from media, landowners, citizens and partners about agency services and activities, manages media contact lists, and performs administrative duties.
• Serves as official spokesperson, providing accurate media responses and interviews about wildfires and agency services, and writes/edits press releases.
• Performs other duties as required in support of the agency’s mission and initiatives.

Skills

Content writing

Public speaking

Photography

Graphic design

Web content management

WordPress

AP style

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications or related

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

WordPress

Job description

Job Responsibilities

The Responsibilities of the Public Information Coordinator:

• 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.

Job Responsibilities

The Responsibilities of the Public Information Coordinator:

• 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.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• 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 Qualifications

• 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.

Additional Comments

• 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.