Public Information Officer

nc; North Carolina; Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Job summary

The North Carolina Forest Service is seeking an Information & Communications Specialist II (NS) to craft public safety communications, feature articles, speeches, and agency materials. This role will draft news releases, plan media content, and support outreach to communities across North Carolina.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in communications or a related field and two years of experience in communications or publicity, with strong writing and media relations skills.

Qualifications

• Must have working knowledge of journalistic principles and practices for disseminating information to the public through news media.
• Experience writing for magazines, press publications, and agency communications.
• Strong interpersonal and media relations skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Drafts news releases on public safety topics.
• Writes feature articles for internal and external publications.
• Prepares speeches for agency leadership.
• Plans, writes and edits agency publications and promotional materials.
• Creates content for social media campaigns and online channels.

Skills

Journalistic principles

Media relations

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field

Two years of communications experience

Job description

Agency

Dept of Agriculture , Consumer Services

Division

North Carolina Forest Service

Job Classification Title

Information & Communications Spec II (NS)

Position Number

60031608

Grade

NC13

About Us

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.

Description of Work

Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

Position currently qualifies for a telework option. Telework options are subject to change at the discretion of management.

The North Carolina Forest Service is a team of professionals who provide forest protection, emergency response, resource management and environmental education to the residents and landowners of North Carolina through a variety of programs.

The N.C. Forest Service provides services to the 100 counties in North Carolina.

Information/Communications

• Drafts news releases on a variety of public safety topics.
• Writes feature articles intended for internal publications, newspapers and outside publications about N.C. Forest Service activities.
• Prepares speeches for the agency head and other officials.
• Plans, writes and edits agency publications on educational, informational and promotional matters.
• Writes attention-grabbing copy for promotional materials, both internal and external stakeholders.
• Writes and edits materials that will aid and promote employee engagement and awareness.
• Plans and prepares agency displays and exhibits.
• Responsible for assisting with the production of promotional materials publicizing agency events and activities.
• Prepares special reports and projects such as the agency annual report, State Fair exhibits, and research data as well as information for the General Assembly.
• Composes scripts for media campaigns and web projects like television and radio ads, banner ads, websites and emails.
• Creates and contributes to content development and delivery.
• Writes and develops content for social media campaigns.

Events and Special Projects

• Works on special projects as assigned. This can include working in the Operations Center in times of emergency or crisis as well as participating in drills and other training events to prepare for emergencies and disasters. Other special projects may include exhibits for fairs, festivals and recruiting events.
• May be called upon to help plan, provide speakers and/or carry out other special duties including groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings and facility tours for media and the public.

Duty Station Location: 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $50,088 - $87,654

• Must have working knowledge of journalistic principles and practices; techniques for disseminating information to the public through a variety of news media and of the methods and techniques of planning, writing and editing publications.

• Demonstrated ability to collect and prepare material for speeches; write according to accepted standards for magazine and press publications.

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills are required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of the press, radio and television and other persons contacted during work.

• Demonstratedstrong communication skills, both verbal and written, for dealing with media and the public.

Click Here to Learn more about State Employee Benefits.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media journalism, English, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate's related education and experience.