Public Relations Representative - Stakeholder Engagement Associate

State of Maine•Augusta, GA

1d•$47,174 - $65,832•Onsite

About The Position

The Stakeholder Engagement Associate position within the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP) supports the Director of Media and Stakeholder Relations in creating and executing strategic outreach plans that facilitate positive working relationships with key stakeholder groups. This includes medical and adult use cannabis program participants, patients, consumers, municipalities, public health and safety organizations, and the general public. This position also assists in disseminating information regarding OCP’s resources, programs, policies, and events and is responsible for tracking and documenting the efficacy and success of stakeholder initiatives to identify outreach opportunities that enhance the Office’s impact.

Requirements

Knowledge of community engagement principles, practices, and techniques.
Knowledge of the methods and techniques of disseminating information.
Knowledge of departmental goals, objectives, programs, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of Microsoft 365, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to write clearly and effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to express technical information in a clear, interesting manner.
Ability to prioritize, organize, and complete work in a timely manner.
Ability to research selected subjects and gather data.
Ability to organize and conduct meetings and events.
Significant experience in communications, public relations, community engagement, or a closely related field demonstrating possession of knowledge and skill in educational outreach, public relations, media, event planning, and information dissemination practices and techniques.

Nice To Haves

A high-level understanding of Maine’s cannabis-related laws and regulations.
Knowledge and general understanding of Maine’s legislative process.
Knowledge of best practices pertaining to project management.
Knowledge of Microsoft 365, specifically Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Knowledge in public health-related initiatives, including prevention messaging and behavior change marketing.
Experience planning and executing in-person, hybrid, and virtual events.

Responsibilities

Work collaboratively with the Director of Media and Stakeholder Relations to prepare and manage workshops, roundtables, town halls, trainings, and other in-person and virtual events that promote departmental goals and objectives.
Support OCP’s stakeholder engagement initiatives and events by independently developing surveys, agendas, project plans, invitations, reports, minutes, and other materials as needed.
Respond to inquiries from state, municipal, industry, public health, and other stakeholders in order to provide information and maintain a stakeholder database.
Routinely measure and assess the Office’s stakeholder engagement activities to track participation, encourage continuous improvement, and promote best practices.
Assist in the drafting and development of one pagers, presentations, newsletters, brochures, reports, website copy, and other informational materials intended to disseminate information.
Help prepare staff members for speaking engagements and meetings before stakeholder groups to explain Office policies and programs and increase public awareness.
Understand and anticipate stakeholder goals and needs across the cannabis ecosystem to identify opportunities to develop trainings, events, guidance documents, and fact sheets that meet those needs.
Research selected topics in order to write or provide information for reports, memos, and publications.
Participate in managing the successful implementation of OCP’s public health and safety campaigns and other statewide initiatives.
Other duties as assigned by the Director, Deputy Director of Strategic Initiatives, or Deputy Director of Operations.

Benefits

13 paid holidays
12 days of sick leave
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually
Health Insurance Coverage (State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums)
Health Insurance Premium Credit (Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%)
Dental Insurance (State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums)
Retirement Plan (State of Maine contributes 14.11% of pay to MainePERS)
Gym Membership Reimbursement (up to $40 per month)
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Living Resources Program (employee assistance program)
Parental leave (forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave)
Voluntary Deferred Compensation (MaineSaves 457(b) account)