Public Information Officer 1

Our mission is to save lives, reduce injuries and economic loss, administer Ohio's motor vehicle laws and preserve the safety and wellbeing of all citizens.

What You'Ll Do:

• Ohio Department of Public Safety - Director's Office/Communications (Communications Special Projects)
• Report in location: 1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
• Work hours: 7:30am - 4:30pm 

This is an internal posting and we are only accepting applications from current ODPS employees for this position.

Under general supervision, plan & direct one segment of assigned department's overall public information program:

• Represent assigned divisions of the department in an informational or liaison capacity;
• Draft, edit, & distribute news releases, public advisory group announcements, meeting minutes, & speeches for delivery to the media &/or the public;
• Advise & consult with supervisor & staff regarding public relations aspects;
• Act as a key point of contact for guidance on how to positively present agency programs & activities to the public;
• Respond to written &/or telephone requests for public information;
• Deliver speeches & presentations; Coordinate arrangements with media;
• Assist in evaluation, development, preparation & dissemination of public information;
• Develop & maintain Division & Department Web sites & general publications;
• Assist with enhancing the image of the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) & its divisions through social media (i.e., Facebook, X, Instagram, etc.);
• Create editorial content including test, photos, graphics, & video based on brand essence & guidelines, & in coordination with marketing, advertising & public relations plans of ODPS;
• Utilize content management & scheduling tools (i.e., Sprout Social) to post & schedule content outside of standard business hours;
• Serve as a member of the crisis social media communications team;
• Plan, develop & implement public information programs;
• Develop & present information for educational displays, program, materials &/or speeches to media & public;
• Write, type & edit material for written correspondence, brochures, publications, articles &/or newsletters;
• Assist with coordination of special projects;
• Maintain & update media databases to support planning & evaluation efforts;
• Facilitate activities involved in coordinating special events including news conferences & public events; Develop event materials for press & planning other event-related site requirements;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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.

30 mos. exp. 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 completion of undergraduate core program in journalism or communication and 6 mos. exp. in public multi-media techniques & relations in field of journalism or communication and valid driver's license. 

-Or 12 mos. exp. as Public Information Specialist, 64420 and valid driver's license. 

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

• Job Skills: Communications
• Technical Skills: Communications, Public Relations
• Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Public Speaking, Customer Focus 
• UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS:May work evenings or weekends; may travel overnight.

• This position may be filled by lay-off or certification eligibility list if applicable
• This position is essential, meaning the duties this job performs are critical to the continued operations of the Ohio Department of Public Safety during a public safety emergency (OAC 123: 1-46-01 & DAS Directive HR-D-11).  Whoever fills this position will be required to report for duty during any public safety emergency.

Background Check Information:

• A background check, BCI fingerprint check may be required on all selected applicants
• A comparative analysis and/or drug test may be a requirement of the hiring process 

To request a disability accommodation, please email HRRequestADA@dps.ohio.gov as soon as possible, or at least 48 hours prior to the above referenced testing or interview date so any necessary arrangements may be made in a timely manner.

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.