Information and Communication Specialist II

State of North Carolina

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides comprehensive communications, operational, and event‑coordination support for the RHTP program. The role includes developing public information and public relations strategies in partnership with the RHTP Director, executive leadership, and the DHHS Communications Team, as well as participating in departmental communications meetings to ensure alignment with policies and practices. The position helps frame program responses, coordinates with the DHHS Communications Office on media inquiries, and ensures the RHTP website and related materials are accurate, current, and compliant with DHHS requirements. Responsibilities also include drafting, editing, and proofreading a variety of communication documents, researching and updating content, and preparing materials such as presentations, documents, spreadsheets, SharePoint pages, and website content. In addition, the role manages all aspects of planning, executing, and following up on both virtual and in‑person events, including stakeholder engagement sessions, committee meetings, public hearings, listening sessions, bidders’ conferences, and staff meetings. Tasks involve coordinating speakers, securing event dates and venues, arranging accessibility services such as ASL or Spanish-speaking support, creating meeting links, preparing and distributing invitations, and tracking RSVPs and participation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media journalism, English, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work OR An equivalent combination of education and experience

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the Rural Health Transformation Program, DHHS programs and services, NC Medicaid and managed care and health care delivery systems (primary care, behavioral health and dental), rural health landscape, including strength and needs, rural health infrastructure and workforce
• Considerable knowledge of journalistic, communication, and/or publication principles and practices including AP style
• Considerable knowledge of the techniques for disseminating information to the public through a variety of news media
• Considerable knowledge of the methods and techniques of planning, writing, and editing content
• Ability to collect and prepare material for speeches and adapt tone for different audiences

Responsibilities

• Developing public information and public relations strategies in partnership with the RHTP Director, executive leadership, and the DHHS Communications Team
• Participating in departmental communications meetings to ensure alignment with policies and practices
• Helping frame program responses
• Coordinating with the DHHS Communications Office on media inquiries
• Ensuring the RHTP website and related materials are accurate, current, and compliant with DHHS requirements
• Drafting, editing, and proofreading a variety of communication documents
• Researching and updating content
• Preparing materials such as presentations, documents, spreadsheets, SharePoint pages, and website content
• Managing all aspects of planning, executing, and following up on both virtual and in‑person events, including stakeholder engagement sessions, committee meetings, public hearings, listening sessions, bidders’ conferences, and staff meetings
• Coordinating speakers
• Securing event dates and venues
• Arranging accessibility services such as ASL or Spanish-speaking support
• Creating meeting links
• Preparing and distributing invitations
• Tracking RSVPs and participation

Benefits

• The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits.
• Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
• Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
• In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

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