Assistant Chief Comms

About Us
The Ohio Department of Aging (AGE) is a cabinet-level agency within the executive branch of the Ohio state government. The director of AGE is a member of the Governor's cabinet, serving as principal advisor and advocate for 2.8 million older adults and their families.  Through services, supports, and activities that cover a wide spectrum of issues, AGE strives to achieve its mission to foster sound public policy, research, and initiatives that benefit older Ohioans.  

AGE is the federally designated agency responsible for developing and administering multi-year state plans that advocate for, and provide assistance to, older Ohioans and their families.  In addition to the centralized functions, the agency designates and contracts with community providers and a network of 12 Area Agencies on Aging, who manage a wide array of federal and state-funded supportive services.  These services assist older adults to live as independently as possible; promote healthy aging and active community involvement; and support family members in their vital care giving role.  

To promote the agency’s vision of Ohio – the best place to age in the nation, AGE actively collaborates with consumers, stakeholders from key associations, government, and the public. The independent Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports are also located within AGE.  

Our Core Values Are:

• Promote Independence - Provide resources that foster independence and autonomy throughout the lifespan.  
• Empower Communities - Deliver sustainable, relevant solutions that empower communities to act within the best interest of their elders.  
• Challenge Ageism - Promote new perspectives of aging that challenge the traditional declinist narrative. 
• Advocate for Excellence - Advocate with and for Ohio’s elders to ensure their voices are heard and their needs are met.  
• Engage in Innovation - Engage the aging network by staying innovative, flexible, and attentive to the evolving needs of our partners and stakeholders. 

To learn more about the Ohio Department of Aging and our programs visit our website. 

About The Division

The Legislative and Public Affairs Division - coordinates government and external relations, including media outreach. The division is responsible for developing relationships with the legislature and stakeholders as well as promoting policy to ensure that the interests of the department and aging Ohioans are represented across the state and at the federal level. The division plans special events and recognitions and creates and distributes educational and informative publications across media. Staff handles constituent inquiries, maintains the department's website and social media presences, and operates the Golden Buckeye program and AGE’s main phone line.

About the Role
The Assistant Chief of Communications supports the strategic management of internal and external communications for the Ohio Department of Aging (AGE). The Assistant Chief of Communications also ensures that all content, design, and messaging is aligned with the vision, mission, and key priorities of the department and administration.

The key duties of this position include but are not limited to:

• Leadership: Supervising a team of communications and design professionals
• Strategic Thinking and Project Management: Assisting the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) with the management of multi-million-dollar communications projects
• Writing and Communications: Drafting press releases, talking points, testimony, PowerPoint presentations, white papers, and social media content
• Website and Social Media: Managing AGE’s website and social media accounts
• Backup Support: Serving as the backup to the CCO and representing the CCO at meetings when the CCO is unavailable
• Other Duties: Performing other duties as assigned

For more in-depth job duties, please click here to view the position description.

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.

3 yrs. exp. in project management (i.e., management & development of project/program requirements, design, development, testing/pilot, training & full scale implementation), with experience to be commensurate with project/program &/or position description on file (e.g., specific human service program area, management information sciences, fiscal); 12 mos. exp. in budgeting & calculating cost projections of program/projects.

-Or successful completion of 2 yrs. post-secondary education majoring in business administration, public administration, computer science/information technology, social science, or health, with major being commensurate with project to be assigned; 12 mos. exp. in budgeting & calculating cost projections of program/projects.

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

Job Skills: Project Management

Salary Information

Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be set at the lowest rate of the salary range.  In most cases successful employees will move up a step in the salary range within six months, with subsequent step increases occurring every year as supported by successful performance evaluation results. We also offer cost of living adjustments, longevity supplements after five years of eligible public service, and wellness incentives.

Background Check Information

The final Background check candidate selected for this 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.  

Classification: Project Manager 1  
 

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.