Public Relations Specialist Senior, Public Affairs Division W4227

Title: Public Relations Specialist Senior, Public Affairs Division W4227

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Spec IV

Hiring Range: Minimum $70,000, commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 5

• Agency: Department of Social Services
• Location: DSS HOME OFFICE

Agency Website: dss.virginia.gov

• Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

At the Virginia Department of Social Services, we put people at the center of everything we do. We believe that every Virginian can live a life of dignity and that all voices, ideas and experiences contribute greatly to our pursuit of excellence. Inspired by continuous improvement, we commit ourselves to listening, learning and cultivating environments of trust, respect and positive engagement. Together, we are mission-driven, eager to achieve, and passionate about bringing the best of who we are to those we serve.

We design and deliver high-quality human services that help Virginians achieve safety, independence and overall well-being. We are a $2 billion agency – one of the largest in the Commonwealth of Virginia – partnering with 120 local departments of social services and 31 community action agencies, along with faith-based and non-profit organizations, to promote the well-being of children, adults, and families statewide. We proudly serve alongside 1,650 (state) and 12,200 (local) human services professionals throughout the Social Services System, who ensure that thousands of Virginia’s most vulnerable citizens have easy access to the services and benefits available to them.

In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short- and Long-Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.

About the Position:

The Public Relations Specialist Senior with the Division of Public Affairs is responsible for cultivating and managing relationships with members of the press and utilizing all available communication tools and strategies to maximize media coverage. This position supports the Director of Public Affairs in the development of effective communication strategies and programmatic, divisional and agency-wide awareness initiatives, along with ensuring overall marketing and communications integration.  Supports the day-to-day needs of the agency's media relations efforts and is responsible for developing and maintaining key relationships with local, regional and national media, while serving as the primary media relations liaison for VDSS. Ensures the proper reception, designation and documentation of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The Public Relations Specialist Senior will provide direct support to the Division of Public Affairs, cross-portfolio agency leaders, agency subject matter experts, VDSS Commissioner, VDSS Office of Emergency Management, Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Joint Information Command and local DSS leaders, as needed.

This position will engage and work collaboratively with senior leadership as well as other internal and external stakeholders to develop crisis communications, media responses and internal messaging during emergency and crisis events. This includes support to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Joint Information Command, and ESF6 Mass Care.

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to plan and manage multiple projects and initiatives in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment. Strong consultative and leadership skills. Ability to work independently, as well in team-based environments. Ability to build strategic media relations plans and implement multiple media outreach strategies simultaneously. Experience in managing communications-related projects, building a strategic media relations plan, and facilitating media responses and engagement.

Must have:

Relevant knowledge of and or training and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the work. Considerable experience in media relations, coordinating or conducting media training, integrated communications strategy and public relations. Media planning and/or buying experience with proven examples of strategies that result in earned media growth. Strong writing, editing and presentation skills; including Associated Press writing style. Experience training subject matter experts for on-camera, radio and print interviews. Demonstrated knowledge of the news cycle, traditional media outlets, as well as digital marketing tools, and public relations strategies.

Additional Considerations

Television, radio or newsroom organization experience is a strong additional consideration.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

To be considered for this position, you must submit a Commonwealth of Virginia application or resume through the on-line “Virginia Jobs” (RMS) employment site no later than 11:55 p.m. on the closing date listed. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application and this position.

Selected candidate(s) must successfully pass a fingerprint-based criminal history background check. A record of criminal history does not automatically bar an applicant from consideration. Employment verification will be conducted to include current/previous supervisory employment reference checks.

VDSS will record information from each new employee’s Form I-9 (Employment Eligibility Verification) into the Federal E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

Selected candidate may be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

This position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration will be in accordance with the Commonwealth’s Teleworking policy on a case-by-case basis.

VDSS values the service and experience of our Veterans. As such, Veterans are encouraged to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps and other national service alumni also are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable accommodations are available to applicants, if requested, during the application and/or interview process.

Virginia Department of Social Services does not provide sponsorship.

The Virginia Department of Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity within its workforce.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard
Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application or resume. Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans and people with National Service experience are encouraged to apply.

For more information about our employment practices, please visit our “Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan”. Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days of the closing date.

Contact Information

• Name: VDSS – Division of Human Resources
• Phone: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov
• Email: dssrecruitment@dss.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.