H2Ohio Public Information Officer

Competitive salary: $74,214 - $105,560 Annually

Who We Are:

Agriculture is the heart of it all in Ohio!

The Ohio Department of Agriculture protects all Ohioans by safeguarding plants and animals, conserving our natural resources and supporting farmers. ODA is cabinet-level agency reporting to Governor DeWine. Food and agriculture is Ohio’s number one industry, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. Ohio is home to more than 75,000 farms, with agriculture touching every part of the state. Not only does Ohio rank number one in Swiss cheese production, but we are top three in the nation’s egg production and fifth in soybean production. Ohio’s farmers impact those well beyond state lines, feeding families across the nation. 

ODA’s beautiful campus is located in Reynoldsburg on 158-acres. Not only is parking free, but food trucks frequent the campus for coffee and lunch.

You’ll find great coworkers here, who are experts in their field and care about the work they do.

What We Do:

Working for the Ohio Department of Agriculture means strengthening our state with the help of our 19 divisions programs. Our staff ensures the products you consume every day are safe to eat and drink. We protect Ohio’s farmland, improve soil health and water quality, all while keeping our plants, crops, and animals free of pests and disease. We are home to the state’s top food safety laboratory and serve as the hub for a statewide lab safety system. Our folks protect consumers by ensuring you get what you pay for through weights and measures accuracy standards. ODA oversees Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs, the showcases of our towns and cities, and protects fair goers by inspecting the amusement rides you love to enjoy!

As a member of team ODA, you will be working with people of the highest caliber, doing great work, and making a difference for all Ohioans.

The Communications Office provides information to the public and media through news releases, the department's annual report, brochures, fact sheets and special events. Check out our website, social media and YouTube Channel!

What You’ll Do:

No ag background, no problem! You’ll learn all about agriculture from our top-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio. This position directly assists the Division of Soil & Water Conservation’s H2Ohio Program. H2Ohio is Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s statewide water quality initiative designed to address complex issues impacting Ohio’s waters. Launched in 2019, H2Ohio uses a comprehensive approach guided by science and data to reduce algal blooms, stop pollution, and improve access to clean drinking water by supporting best farming practices, road salt runoff reduction, litter cleanup, dam removal, land conservation, and water infrastructure revitalization.

Collaboration and partnership are important. The Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio EPA, and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission each have a significant role to play including reducing nutrient runoff, creating wetlands, and improving access to clean drinking water and quality sewer systems. Find more information online!

The Communications Office is seeking a proactive and motivated professional to manage the communication needs of the H2Ohio Program. We're looking for someone who is organized, able to work independently, and eager to contribute to an up-beat and hard-working team. We believe in a positive, collaborative and creative work environment - having fun is required!

This position is responsible for:

• Under the direction of the Communication Director, responsible for all H2Ohio Program communication for the department
• Leads agency H2Ohio communications strategy, planning, and deliverables
• Serves as the H2Ohio communications administrator in Communication Director’s absence
• Conducts and organizes meetings with relevant divisions to review H2Ohio communications strategy and deliverables
• Leads all agency H2Ohio communications efforts and correspondence, reports, and information dissemination
• Acts as lead writer, planner, and executor of the H2Ohio Annual Report
• Prepares and provides information to the general public, key stakeholders, private organizations, and other government officials in the form of presentations, graphics, literature, and speech writing
• Contributes content to the H2Ohio website and social media platforms
• Responds to inquiries from media requests and general public calls
• Sets up interviews for agency Director & key leadership to fulfill media requests & communicates with state-wide media contacts
• Acts as liaison for media contacts for assigned divisions & helps develop in-house media contact list and maintain relationships with various outlets
• Develops & maintains ongoing communication with ODA divisions to develop stories & events to pitch to media
• Writes & posts to social media; writes & distributes press releases; & transcribes & posts content to ODA website
• Reviews & copy-edits public relations materials (e.g., press releases, speeches, digital materials, educational materials, social media posts, website copy)
• Works with division leadership on communication materials, presentations & interviews
• Creates & distributes internal ODA newsletters
• Builds external relationships with ODA constituencies
• Assists in planning activities that promote & protect ODA reputation
• Develops, prepares, types, proofs & issues news releases to media &/or public advisory groups (e.g., statewide commodity organizations)
• Develops relevant videos for ODA social media outlets, website and distribution elsewhere (e.g., enterprise ideas, gather information, interviews, video & log, write & edit or dictate editing to videographer)
• Advises & consults with ODA Director & staff regarding public relations aspects (e.g., public relations strategies & projects)
• Serves as resource person for information on positive public presentation of agency programs & activities
• Assists in creation, organization, set-up & execution of media events
• Travels to off-site events/appearances with Director & other Senior Staff
• Takes pictures & creates social media posts at ODA/Director events
• Responds to crisis media situations as directed
• Travels to attend meetings, public information sessions, seminars &/or trainings
• Provides information about agency activities to agency personnel, other agencies, & general public by responding to written inquiries, telephone calls & requests for speeches &/or presentations
• Develops & presents materials for special projects &/or displays & delivers speeches & gives presentations

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of these principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.

What’s in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan. 

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are available the following month after your hire date.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave 
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees.  The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement.  The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary.  Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Maternity Benefits

·        12 weeks paid childbirth leave at 70% with option to supplement to 100%

·        Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are  provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.

·        Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:

o   Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.

o   Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).

o   Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.

o   Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.

o   Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up, and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.

·        Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket limits.

·        Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Completion of undergraduate core program in journalism or communication
AND
12 months experience in public multi-media techniques & relations in field of journalism or communication
AND
Valid driver's license.

OR
36 months experience in field of journalism or communication dealing in public multi-media techniques & relations, public speaking, news writing, reporting & editing or technical report translation & communication dealing in public meetings
AND
Valid driver's license

OR
12 months experience as Public Information Officer 1, 64421
AND
Valid driver's license

OR
Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above

Preferred candidates will have experience with graphic design & public speaking, working with the media, and working with government entities.

This position is overtime exempt.

If you require an accommodation for the interview process or the position, please notify the assigned recruiter.

Unusual Working Conditions:
May work evenings or weekends; may travel overnight.

This position is Unclassified 124.11 (A)(9), Ohio Revised Code

For Questions Regarding This Posting Please Contact:

Keary Sorgini
Keary.Sorgini@agri.ohio.gov

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana. 

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to complete a review of records of the Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) concerning compliance requirements for timely filing and, if applicable, payment of personal income taxes, as well as timely filing and, if applicable, payment of school district income taxes if reside(d) in a taxing school district.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.