Public Information Officer 1

Ohio Department of Youth Services; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohio Department of Youth Services is seeking a Creative Public Information Officer 1 to join the communications team. The role blends strategic public information responsibilities with hands-on multimedia production for internal and external communications across platforms.

Responsibilities include planning media relations, digital storytelling, video/photography, and staff communications; requires journalism/communication background and a valid driver’s license. Full-time, Columbus, OH location.

Qualifications

• Minimum 30 months of experience in journalism or communication dealing with public multimedia techniques, public relations, public speaking, news writing, reporting and editing or translation/communication for public meetings.
• Undergraduate core program in journalism or communication; and 6 months of public multimedia techniques/relations experience; and valid driver’s license.
• Alternatively 12 months of experience as Public Information Specialist, and valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Public Information and Media Relations: plan, coordinate, and direct components of the public information program; draft news releases, advisories, and statements.

Skills

Public Relations

Public Speaking

News Writing

Editing

Multimedia Communications

Driver's License

Education

Journalism/Communication degree

Public Information Specialist experience

Job description

The Opportunity:

The Ohio Department of Youth Services is seeking a creative, enthusiastic, and articulate Public Information Officer 1 to join our communications team. In this vital role, you will support the agency’s comprehensive communications programs by developing, producing, and disseminating high-quality internal and external communications. This role blends strategic public information responsibilities with hands‑on multimedia production to ensure accurate and engaging communications across all platforms.

Core Responsibilities

Public Information and Media Relations: plan, coordinate, and direct assigned components of our public information program. Draft and disseminate news releases, media advisories, and public statements regarding youth programs, facility updates, and agency achievements.

Digital Storytelling and Social Media: lead the creation and distribution of engaging digital and multimedia content across our social media platforms and website, highlighting youth success stories, agency initiatives, and community reentry programs

Visual and Graphic Production: produce professional videos, capture high-quality photographs, and design visually compelling graphics, brochures, and fact sheets that support agency outreach

Editorial and Executive Support: write engaging articles, youth and staff spotlight profiles, and program updates for agency newsletters. Assist executive leadership with drafting, editing, and formatting speeches, presentations, and talking points

Internal Communications: develop and distribute internal communications to foster alignment, morale, and connection across all agency facilities.

30 mos. exp. in field of journalism or communication dealing in public multi-media techniques & relations, public speaking, news writing, reporting & editing or technical report translation & communication dealing in public meetings; and valid driver’s license.

Or completion of undergraduate core program in journalism or communication; and 6 mos. exp. in public multi-media techniques & relations in field of journalism or communication; and valid driver’s license.

Or 12 mos. exp. as Public Information Specialist, 64420; and valid driver’s license.

Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Job Skills

Communications

Organization

Youth Services – Central Office

Agency Contact Name and Information

[e-mail]

Unposting Date

Sep 9, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location

William Green Building

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation

$62,858 – $78,520

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

M-F

Classified Indicator

Unclassified

Union

Exempt from Union

Technical Skills

Visual Design, Communications, Public Relations

Professional Skills

Collaboration, Creativity, Public Speaking, Strategic Thinking, Written Communication

Agency Overview

JOIN OUR TEAM! We are transforming and saving lives at DYS! A safer Ohio: one youth, one family and one community at a time. About Us… The Ohio Department of Youth Services strives to save and transform the lives of youth throughout the state of Ohio. Our employees work together to support youth and empower families and communities. In addition to our three juvenile corrections facilities, we support more than 600 community programs reaching more than 90,000 youth across the state.

Our Guiding Principles…

• Demonstrate staff are our greatest resource


• Treat everyone with respect


• Cultivate a trauma responsive environment for staff and youth to thrive


• Provide the best support and services for youth and families


• Advance our culture of inclusion through understanding and appreciating staff and youth differences


• Commit to and encourage collaboration and continuous improvement to produce better outcomes for those we serve


• Celebrate collective successes and support one another through opportunities to improve

To learn more about DYS, please visit our website by clicking here .