Asst To The Commissioner, Public Information - Anticipated Vacancy
About The Position
The Maine Department of Public Safety is seeking an Assistant to the Commissioner, Public Information, who serves as the Department’s Public Information Officer. The position responds to media inquiries on significant law-enforcement issues, manages the Department’s social media platforms and public relations program, and writes and edits news releases, reports, speeches, and other informational materials. It coordinates public outreach and media relations statewide, provides media training, and develops processes to facilitate information flow between the Department and the media. The Public Information Officer provides media support to DPS entities including the Maine State Police, Bureau of Highway Safety, Fire Marshal’s Office, and Maine Drug Enforcement. The role maintains the state’s official homicide list, advises department managers on public communication strategy trends, and gathers information from sources within and outside state government. Hours are often outside the regular business day. The position reports to the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety and is located in Augusta.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field, with at least eight years of experience in media and/or public relations; related professional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
- Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills.
- Training development and implementation experience.
- Ability to communicate effectively in public-speaking forums and in writing.
- Ability to work and plan beyond immediate pressures, adapt to changing priorities, and accept new challenges.
- Strong commitment to effectiveness and efficiency.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, including following through on commitments.
- Familiarity with the State’s budgetary and legislative process.
Nice To Haves
- Public speaking experience.
- Proven media relations experience.
- Knowledge of the legislative process.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate, direct, and respond to news media inquiries about sensitive and significant Maine law-enforcement issues, major criminal investigations, homicides, and Department programs and activities.
- Gather and coordinate information from subject-matter experts throughout the Department and from other entities in and outside state government.
- Manage the DPS public relations program, including public outreach, statewide media coordination, and updates to the Department’s social media platforms.
- Provide media training throughout the state.
- Write and edit news releases, department reports, speeches, and other informational materials.
- Confer with media representatives, photographers, and the public to create awareness of agency activities.
- Compile and edit the state’s official homicide list.
- Advise departmental managers on public communication strategy trends.
- Provide media support to entities within DPS, including the Maine State Police, Bureau of Highway Safety, Fire Marshal’s Office, and Maine Drug Enforcement.
Benefits
- 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and at least three weeks of vacation leave annually; vacation accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
- The State pays 85%–100% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary; a 5% employee-only premium credit is available for participation in the applicable program.
- The State pays 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
- State contribution of 18.86% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System.
- Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
- Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
- Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness.
- Living Resources employee assistance program.
- 42 consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child; additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.
- Additional wellness benefits for State employees.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
