Public Information Officer (Senior Public Service Administrator)

State of Illinois•Springfield, MO

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is seeking a Public Information Officer. In this role, you will collaborate directly with the Governor’s Communications Office, agency leadership, and other state agencies to maintain a consistent and aligned public message. Your leadership will guide a dedicated team, helping them grow while delivering exceptional public relations services. From media relations and crafting compelling content to managing crisis communication and public events, you will help keep the public informed and engaged with the agency’s mission and initiatives. Our employees work in an ever-changing environment that presents new challenges with rewarding results. If you are interested in joining our team of compassionate and integrity driven public servants, we invite you to apply for the Public Information Officer position with IEMA-OHS!

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in business, public administration or a closely related field.
Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in public affairs, public relations or journalism in a public or business organization.
Requires a criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Prefers five (5) years of professional experience developing and executing strategic communications plans, including crisis communications strategy.
Prefers three (3) years of professional experience responding to or coordinating Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests from media organizations.
Prefers four (4) years of experience in the development and maintenance of cooperative working relationships with Board members, management, staff, members of the general assembly, and representatives from law enforcement unions and/or fraternal organizations.
Prefers four (4) years of professional experience supervising communications, public relations, or marketing staff.
Prefers four (4) years of professional experience writing, editing, and distributing press releases, newsletters, brochures, or other public-facing communications materials.
Prefers four (4) years of professional experience developing branding, marketing, or public image campaigns, including multimedia content such as video, social media, and print materials.
Prefers three (3) years of professional experience building and maintaining relationships with members of the media, and coordinating public information activities with county, municipal, state, and federal governmental agency counterparts.
Prefers one (1) year of professional experience directly communicating with the public or media during an actual emergency, disaster, or crisis event.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Public Information Officer (PIO), directing the Agency's public information, media relations, and strategic communications program.
Serves as the Agency's primary spokesperson, directing media relations and representing the Director and IEMA-OHS in communications with the media and the public.
Serves as a full-line supervisor.
Develops, implements, and oversees strategic branding, marketing, and public image initiatives to enhance the Agency's visibility and public awareness.
In collaboration with agency leadership, develops, implements, and oversees effective branding, marketing, and public image strategies to achieve Agency goals.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.