Snr. Communications Specialist

State-of-Georgi; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Georgia is seeking a Senior Communications Specialist to shape public narratives, craft press materials, and drive earned media strategies that highlight GDOL’s impact across Georgia.

The ideal candidate will lead writing briefs, manage media inquiries, coordinate outreach with the Chief Communications Officer, and advance agency priorities through strategic storytelling in a fast-paced, public-sector environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications.
• Strong writing and editing skills with experience crafting press materials and media pitches.
• Demonstrated success supporting earned media efforts and managing media logistics.
• Knowledge of AP style, public-sector communications best practices, and integrated communications strategy.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and handle sensitive or high-profile media issues with professionalism and discretion.
• Photography or digital content creation experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Media Relations and Strategy: manage inquiries, coordinate responses, provide timely information to reporters.
• Content Creation: draft press releases, advisories, talking points, speeches, op-eds, statements.
• Social Media & Digital Support: align social media with earned media messaging and engagement goals.
• Monitoring & Reporting: track media outcomes and prepare leadership summaries.
• Strategic Collaboration: align messaging with agency goals and initiatives; support executive communications.

Skills

Media relations

Strategic communications

Writing & editing

AP style

Public affairs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Communications

Job description

Explore a World of Opportunity with the State of Georgia! We are the force that drives Georgia! Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various agencies and entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's more than 10 million citizens! Join Team Georgia and impact lives everyday while receiving a robust benefits package designed for every stage of your career!

Job Title: Snr. Communications Specialist Job Requisition ID: JR0000000615 Number of Openings: 1 Shift: Day (United States of America) Compensation Details: $80,000.00/YR.

Senior Communications Specialist Job Code – GSP042 Pay Grade – I

JOB SUMMARY

The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) is transforming into a forward-thinking, future-focused, and resilient organization — one that anticipates change and leads with purpose. As part of this transformation, we are building a more connected and collaborative organization where information flows quickly, awareness is shared, and teams seamlessly work together. This modern, adaptive approach strengthens our ability to respond to emerging needs, serve the public more effectively, and create meaningful impact. Join us and be part of GDOL's mission-driven team shaping the future.

The Senior Communications Specialist supports the Georgia Department of Labor’s mission by helping shape the agency’s public narrative and advancing key priorities through earned media and strategic communications. Working closely with the Chief Communications Officer and the broader Communications team, this position plays a vital role in crafting compelling stories, developing press materials, and coordinating outreach that highlights GDOL’s impact across Georgia.

The ideal candidate is a strong, strategic communicator who thrives in a fast-paced environment, can simplify complex issues, and proactively identifies opportunities to position GDOL leadership and programs positively in the news.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Media Relations and Strategy
  • Collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer to manage media inquiries, coordinate responses, and provide timely, accurate information to reporters.
  • Research, draft, and pitch earned media opportunities — including op-eds, human interest features, and success stories that highlight GDOL’s mission and impact.
  • Develop and maintain targeted media lists, build relationships with journalists, and monitor coverage to identify proactive engagement opportunities.
  • Support the preparation of press kits, background materials, and media briefings for the Commissioner and senior leaders.
  • Contribute to media strategy sessions, offering insights on message development, public positioning, and reputation management.
• Content Creation
  • Draft and edit high-quality written materials including press releases, media advisories, talking points, speeches, op-eds, and statements.
  • Assist in shaping cohesive messaging across earned, owned, and shared media channels.
  • Collaborate on creative storytelling projects that humanize GDOL’s work and bring agency initiatives to life.
• Social Media & Digital Support
  • Collaborate with the Communications team to ensure GDOL’s social media strategy aligns with earned media messaging and engagement goals.
  • Assist in drafting social media content tied to press releases, agency initiatives, and announcements.
  • Identify trending topics, GDOL success stories, and opportunities to highlight the agency’s impact across platforms including Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube.
  • Review engagement metrics and audience sentiment to inform communications planning and outreach.
• Monitoring & Reporting
  • Monitor statewide and national news related to workforce and labor issues; prepare daily or weekly media summaries for leadership.
  • Track earned media outcomes and support development of metrics reports on communications performance.
  • Provide insights and recommendations to enhance message reach and effectiveness based on analytics and media performance trends.
• Strategic Collaboration
  • Partner with internal teams to align public messaging with agency goals and initiatives.
  • Assist in the creation and publication of newsletters, presentations, and digital content.
  • Develop and share internal communications that keep staff informed, engaged, and aligned on key agency news, initiatives, and achievements.
  • Support executive communications projects as assigned by the Commissioner or Chief Communications Officer.
  • Occasionally serve as a backup photographer for events, capturing professional-quality images for media and agency publications (experience in photography or visual storytelling is a plus).

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in public relations, media relations, or strategic communications.
• Strong writing and editing skills with experience crafting press materials and media pitches.
• Demonstrated success supporting earned media efforts and managing media logistics.
• Knowledge of AP style, public-sector communications best practices, and integrated communications strategy.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and handle sensitive or high-profile media issues with professionalism and discretion.
• Photography or digital content creation experience preferred.

WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY

• Retirement and Savings Plans
• Health Insurance (multiple plans)
• Flexible / Voluntary Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts (healthcare and dependent care)
• Dental
• Vision
• Life
• Disability
• Long Term Care
• Legal
• Paid Time Off
• 13 Holidays
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• Other Leave, including Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Employee Purchasing Program

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

In addition to a competitive salary, the Georgia Department of Labor offers a generous benefits package, which includes employee retirement plan; paid holidays annually; vacation and sick leave; health, dental, vision, legal, disability, accidental death and dismemberment, health and child care spending account.

The Georgia Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, age, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam Era, or citizenship status (except in those circumstances permitted or mandated by law).

Because of the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information on application status by phone or e-mail. All qualified applicants will be considered, but may not necessarily receive an interview. Selected applicants will be contacted by the hiring agency for next steps in the selection process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive notification. This posting may close at any time prior to the posted close date, once a suitable applicant pool is identified.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or a related field from an accredited college or university AND Two years of communications or related experience OR Five years of communications or related experience OR One year of experience required at the lower level Communications Spec 2 (GSP041) or position equivalent.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.

Georgia State Government is a large enterprise, composed of various entities with a common goal to improve the lives of Georgia's 10 million citizens. With nearly 62,000 employees, we are one of the single largest employer in the state. Public service opportunities stretch across the state as employees live and work in all 159 counties. From traditional fields such as accounting, nursing, and engineering to unique fields like forestry and natural resources management, Georgia state government provides a world of opportunity.