Public Relations and Content Specialist - #W3389, W5506

Virginia Information Technologies Agency • Henrico, Virginia, VA

8d • $65,000 - $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), we are committed to putting people at the center of everything we do, believing that every Virginian can live a life of dignity. We are a large, $2 billion agency dedicated to designing and delivering high-quality human services that promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We partner with numerous local departments, community action agencies, and non-profit organizations, supported by a dedicated team of human services professionals. This role reports to the Senior Communications Manager within the Division of Public Affairs and is crucial for supporting the planning, development, coordination, and implementation of strategic communications, media relations, public information, and marketing initiatives. The Specialist will serve as the primary communications partner for the Human Services portfolio, aiming to increase public awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and promote agency programs and services across various channels. This involves collaborative work with division leadership, program staff, subject matter experts, and the Senior Communications Manager to develop and execute integrated communications plans, public awareness campaigns, media outreach strategies, marketing initiatives, and content calendars. The position requires identifying communication priorities, opportunities, and challenges; developing goals, key messages, and audience strategies; and translating complex information into clear, accurate, and audience-focused content. The Specialist will lead message development, strategic framing, content planning, and execution, ensuring alignment with agency priorities and best practices. Responsibilities include creating diverse content (written, digital, print, web, multimedia), coordinating deliverables, ensuring brand consistency, and evaluating effectiveness. The role also involves serving as a communications representative on committees and project teams, providing strategic counsel, identifying emerging issues, and facilitating coordination between program and communications functions.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic communications, public relations, media relations, and marketing principles and practices.
• Considerable experience in communications planning, campaign development, audience segmentation, and message strategy, and applying content development best practices across print, digital, web, social media, and multimedia platforms.
• Professional knowledge of plain language, inclusive communications, and accessibility principles for public-facing content.
• Proficient in copywriting, editing, and proofreading clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications materials.
• Considerable experience in translating complex policy, programmatic, operational, and data-driven information into concise, compelling, and understandable content.
• Skilled in project management, prioritization, and coordination of multiple communications stakeholders, initiatives and deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, program staff, subject matter experts, and cross-functional teams while exercising sound independent judgment and providing strategic communications counsel.
• Comprehensive knowledge of current communications, public relations, and integrated marketing strategies, principles, and best practices.
• Knowledge of multimedia, interactive, electronic, and social media communications tools and platforms.
• Knowledge of content management systems (CMS) and search engine optimization (SEO) principles and practices.
• Knowledge of journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field sufficient to perform the duties of the position.
• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills, including proficiency in AP Style.
• Strong consultative, client engagement, and needs assessment skills.
• Skilled in developing and editing content tailored to targeted audiences across web, multimedia, and social media platforms.
• Skilled in planning, coordinating, and managing multiple communications projects and initiatives simultaneously.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively in collaborative, team-based environments.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, organize work effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to apply communications strategies and professional judgment to support organizational goals and business needs.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading enterprise-level strategic communications initiatives with measurable outcomes, including developing integrated campaigns, advising executive leadership, and using audience insights and performance metrics to optimize communications effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Supports the planning, development, coordination and implementation of strategic communications, media relations, public information, and marketing initiatives.
• Serves as the primary communications partner supporting the Human Services portfolio.
• Provides communications leadership, planning, consultation, and execution support to increase public awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and promote agency programs, services, and initiatives across multiple channels.
• Develops and implements integrated communications plans, public awareness campaigns, media outreach strategies, marketing initiatives, and content calendars.
• Identifies communications priorities, opportunities, and challenges.
• Develops communications goals, key messages, and audience strategies.
• Translates complex policy, programmatic, operational, and data-driven information into clear, accurate, and audience-focused communications products.
• Leads message development, strategic framing, content planning, and communications execution.
• Ensures information is communicated effectively, consistently, and in alignment with agency priorities and communications best practices.
• Creates written, digital, print, web, and multimedia content.
• Coordinates communications deliverables across multiple projects.
• Ensures brand consistency and message alignment.
• Evaluates communications effectiveness.
• Serves as a communications representative on internal and external committees, project teams, and cross-functional workgroups.
• Provides strategic communications counsel.
• Identifies emerging issues and opportunities.
• Facilitates coordination between program and communications functions to support proactive, timely, and effective communications for diverse audiences.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Pre-tax spending accounts
• State funded Short and Long Term Disability
• Paid holidays
• Vacation
• Tuition assistance
• Free wellness programs
• State retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed