Communications & Events Specialist - Public Information Officer 1

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Starting Hourly Pay: $29.34
• Incredible Medical Coverage begins the 1st of the month following your Start Date
• Generous Benefits Package Including Vacation, Sick, Holiday, and Personal Leave
• Retirement/pension, deferred compensation, credit union benefits available
• View our full benefits package on https://careers.ohio.gov/why-work-for-state-of-ohio

Position Summary

Assists and advises the Communications Director and DVS leadership on issues affecting Ohio’s veteran community; represents the Department at meetings, public engagements, and statewide outreach events; and supports constituent services, and interagency collaboration to advance the Department’s mission.

Essential Duties

Strategic Communications & Public Information

• Plan and direct news releases, talking points, and public‑facing publications; ensure clear, consistent messaging across channels.
• Draft, edit, and proof speeches, press releases, newsletters, web copy, and related materials for executive leadership; prepare briefings, directives, and reports for internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate media relations: respond to media inquiries, prepare background materials, develop proactive pitches, and support public records responses in collaboration with legal and program staff.
• Create and manage social media content and calendars; monitor engagement; and align messaging with agency priorities and outreach campaigns.

Community & Constituent Relations

• Serve as ombudsman for sensitive and confidential constituent affairs; evaluate issues and coordinate referrals to appropriate programs or agencies; provide guidance on veteran benefits and resources.
• Assist State of Ohio Senators and Representatives with veteran‑related questions and problem resolution; ensure timely, accurate responses and case follow‑through.
• Draft detailed correspondence to constituents, stakeholders, and partners to ensure clear, timely communication.

Interagency & Program Liaison

• Act as liaison between DVS and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, state agencies, and County Veterans Service Offices regarding compensation, pension, education, and burial benefits.
• Transmit departmental decisions and directives; maintain strong relationships with federal, state, county, and community partners.

Event & Program Leadership

• Lead coordination of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame and other special events; including program analysis and execution, communications materials, event logistics, status reports, and budget maintenance; recommend improvements to the Communications Director.

Digital, Design & Tools

• Utilize Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g., InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere) for layout, graphics, photography/video editing, and multimedia content, support event collateral and digital outreach.
• Use Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams/SharePoint) for document creation, reporting, presentations, and cross‑team collaboration.
• Maintain and update web content and digital platforms to ensure accuracy, timeliness, accessibility, and brand consistency.

Projects & Initiatives

• Develop and administer special programs, projects, and veterans’ initiatives as assigned, track outcomes and report results to leadership.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building media relationships and responding to media inquiries/public records requests.
• Experience producing multimedia content (video strategy, photography, web editing).
• Government or public‑sector experience; knowledge of Ohio’s veteran services network and benefits programs.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. The applicant is required to provide details of minimum qualifications on the application form. Failure to do so will prohibit consideration of the applicant. New hires agree to participate in the State of Ohio Direct Deposit of Paycheck Program per Section 124.151(B) of the Ohio Revised Code.

The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status and/or military status in employment or the provision of services.

NOTE: Those who are contacted for an interview should inform the Ohio Department of Veterans Services Office of Human Resources as soon as possible if, as a result of a disability, they will need an accommodation to participate in any phase of the interview process. Such notice will not affect your eligibility to apply for this position.

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.