Director of Public Affairs and Education

State of Utah Office of the Governor • Salt Lake City, UT

5d • $53 - $79 • Hybrid

About The Position

At the Utah Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS), we believe that keeping Utah healthy and safe is a shared responsibility. We are looking for a Director of Public Affairs and Education, DHHS to bridge the gap between our administration, stakeholders, and the public, conveying critical safety messages both internally and externally. In this role, you won't just manage communications; you will lead a talented, motivated crew dedicated to making a tangible impact on our community's well-being. As the Director of Public Affairs and Education, you will be a strategic architect of high-level programs and special projects. This is a rare opportunity to plan, develop, and coordinate vital services across various divisions and external agencies. You will serve as a key consultant, fostering essential relationships and telling the story of the great work that occurs everyday at DHHS. We are seeking a professional who can seamlessly provide expert supervision to a team of professional-level employees and set the strategic communications direction for our agency. If you are ready to take your career to the next level and lead with purpose, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

• Individuals with a degree in journalism, communications, or public relations
• Individuals with leadership and supervisory experience
• Individuals with experience as a spokesperson, Public Information Officer, or as a communications/public affairs director

Responsibilities

• Prepares and coordinates issuance of public statements to the media and the general public
• Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials
• Draws/creates and/or selects graphic charts, working drawings, illustrations, maps, etc., for publications/displays or similar projects
• Implement social media strategies, grow online supporter base and traffic
• Supervise and coordinate to support the overall mission
• Sets the strategic plan for communications
• Develops and coordinates plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision, and expectations of an Office or program; prepares and updates plans and priorities
• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions to resolve communications problems
• Ensures compliance with applicable federal and/or state laws, regulations and/or agency rules, standards and guidelines, etc.
• Monitors program budget including revenues, expenditures and budget projection, etc.
• Represents the agency with internal and external groups in their area of expertise and maintains relationships with these groups
• Supervises subordinate personnel including: hiring, determining workload and delegating assignments, training, monitoring and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary actions

Benefits

• This position is eligible for a full benefits package.
• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director