OPS PUBLIC INFORMATION SPECIALIST II - 42903111

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

5d • $26 - $28 • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time Other Personal Services (OPS) position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry. The role involves assisting in the development and communication of division information and publications to keep stakeholders updated on animal disease or emergency response initiatives, as well as the division's responsibilities, accomplishments, and activities. The position will also assist in the development of education and outreach strategies in coordination with Department Communications.

Requirements

• A high school degree or its equivalent and eight (8) years of professional experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism; or
• A bachelor’s degree (4 years) from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of professional experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism; or
• A master’s degree (6 years) from an accredited college or university in communications or English can substitute for one year of the required experience.
• Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
• Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the development and communication of division information and publications designed to keep internal and external stakeholders updated on animal disease or emergency response initiatives as well as the division's responsibilities, accomplishments and activities.
• Assists in the development of education and outreach strategies, in coordination with Department Communications.
• Research, conceptualize, write, and edit information and materials (technical and creative documents, trainings, grants, web pages, press releases, social media posts, brochures, displays/exhibits, etc.) about division programs and initiatives for distribution to stakeholders including the public, elected officials, community organizations, the media, and the agriculture industry.
• Prepares and disseminates animal disease information for multi-media programs, prepares and delivers informational speeches, presentations, and exhibits to increase awareness of animal disease issues and available division programs and policies.
• Coordinates with subject matter experts to ensure all information is relevant and accurate.
• Works closely with the division publication liaison on brochure and publication updates.
• Participate in the production of videos produced within the division. Duties include scriptwriting and pre- and post-production planning.
• Coordinates with the Division of Marketing and Department Communications to publish any videos.
• Coordinates outreach activities, including administrative duties, art projects, video production services and others as needed.
• Serves as the point of contact for the division to proofread, check for grammar, spelling, and sentence dynamics on all outward facing materials to ensure technical information is easily understood by the general public.
• Employee will serve in the division incident Management Team to assist or fill the role of the public information officer during an activation for an animal disease or natural disaster emergency response.
• Employee may be asked to perform special duties in relation to the Departments emergency response obligations.
• Serve as public information officer on emergency programs. This may require overnight travel and working in remote locations for extended periods.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for the division for website updates.
• Will frequently review and offer suggestions for website updates.
• Will conduct the annual audit of the web pages.
• Drafts updates for review by the subject matter experts, and final approval for posting from the Director and/or Assistant Director.
• Will coordinate with Department Communications and WebServices for posting.
• Reviews post to ensure it is correct.
• Keeps the team updated on the progress.
• Maintains division SharePoint website.
• Performs related work as required and assigned by supervisor.

Benefits

• Participation in state group insurance (must meet eligibility requirements)
• Participation in the Florida Deferred Compensation Plan (457b)
• State of Florida 401(a) FICA Alternative Plan (tax deferred Retirement Savings Plan)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED