(Senior Planner) Public Outreach Specialist

State of Maine; Virginia (MN); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Job summary

The Department of Defense, Veterans & Emergency Management in Augusta, Maine, is hiring a Public Outreach Specialist to lead communications across emergency management programs. You will manage agency social media content, marketing, and public information materials, and develop, design, and distribute emergency management information through publications, websites, videos, presentations and events.

The role includes evaluating outreach results, serving as backup Public Information Officer, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in assigned area and four (4) years of related work experience.
• Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Preference: Website management expertise.
• Preference: Knowledge of Incident Command System (ICS).
• Preference: Familiarity with Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).
• Preference: Ability to perform live on-camera or phone interviews.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the agency’s Public Outreach Specialist in all phases of emergency management.
• Responsible for Agency’s social media content and marketing.
• Develops and maintains website content.
• Identifies and implements public outreach opportunities such as group presentations, conference and expo presentations and displays.
• Develops, designs and distributes emergency management information and education through a variety of media, including but not limited to publications, websites, social media, videos, presentations and events, training programs and media interviews.
• Develops and implements evaluation methods and instruments to measure communications program results.
• Serve as agency’s back-up Public Information Officer as needed or assigned, and in times of emergency and on a day to day basis.
• Serves as project management lead for the Agency’s Maine Partners in Preparedness Annual Preparedness Conference, if applicable.
• Serves in the Joint Information Center (JIC) during exercises and State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activations.

Skills

Effective communication

Clear writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in assigned area

Job description

Department of Defense, Veterans & Emergency Management

Job Class Code:0603
Grade: 25/Professional & Technical
Salary: $54,412.80-$76,315.20/Annually
Location: Augusta

Opening Date: September 15, 2026

Closing Date: September 29, 2026

• Serves as the agency’s Public Outreach Specialist in all phases of emergency management
• Responsible for Agency’s social media content and marketing
• Develops and maintains website content
• Identifies and implements public outreach opportunities such as group presentations, conference and expo presentations and displays
• Develops, designs and distributes emergency management information and education through a variety of media, including but not limited to publications, websites, social media, videos, presentations and events, training programs and media interviews
• Develops and implements evaluation methods and instruments to measure communications program results
• Serve as agency’s back-up Public Information Officer as needed or assigned, and in times of emergency and on a day to day basis
• Serves as project management lead for the Agency’s Maine Partners in Preparedness Annual Preparedness Conference, if applicable
• Serves in the Joint Information Center (JIC) during exercises and State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) activations

Hybrid option of in-office and telework, subject to finishing probationary period then receiving management approval. All telework must be performed within the State of Maine.

KNOWLEDGES,SKILLS,ANDABILITIESREQUIRED: Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to write clearly and effectively.

MINIMUMQUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor’s degree in assigned area and four (4) years of related work experience. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERENCES: Website management expertise. Knowledge of Incident Command System (ICS). Familiarity of Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). Ability to perform live on-camera or phone interviews.

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—“Dirigo” or “I lead”—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce’s health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using13 paid holidays,12 days of sick leave, and3+ weeks of vacation leaveannually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.92 annual value).

Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.06% of the employee’s pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.86% for Confidential employees.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

There’s a job and then there’s purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.