Public Information Officer 1

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

Paid time off

11 paid holidays per year

Education and Development Funds

Job summary

Ohio Department of Youth Services is seeking a creative, enthusiastic Public Information Officer 1 to support our communications team. This role develops, produces, and disseminates high-quality internal and external communications across platforms.

You will blend strategic public information responsibilities with hands-on multimedia production to ensure accurate, engaging content for youth programs, facilities, and agency initiatives.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.

Skills

Public Speaking

Written Communication

Collaboration

Strategic Thinking

Creativity

Communications

Public Relations

Education

Undergraduate degree in journalism or communications

Job description

Job Description - Public Information Officer 1 (260006GV)

Public Information Officer 1 (260006GV)

Organization

Youth Services - Central Office

Agency Contact Name and Information : [e-mail]

Unposting Date

Sep 10, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

Work Location

William Green Building 30 West Spring Street Columbus 43215-2256

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation : $62,858 - $78,520

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours : M-F

Union : Exempt from Union

Primary Job Skill

Communications

Technical Skills : Visual Design, Communications, Public Relations

Professional Skills : Collaboration, Creativity, Public Speaking, Strategic Thinking, Written Communication

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.

• 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 .

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.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full‑time and part‑time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

• 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

Travel required; must maintain valid driver's license and remain eligible for state's liability program coverage.

BACKGROUND CHECK NOTICE: The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check that includes results from BCI and FBI, Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio Department of Taxation. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

PRE-SERVICE TRAINING: All new candidates hired to the Department of Youth Services are required to attend 3 weeks of mandatory, paid training at the Correctional Training Academy in Orient, Ohio. Training Academy hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

DYS is a “qualifying employer” for purposes of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness [PSLF] program.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug‑free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non‑medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug‑Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.