Communications Manager

State of Idaho Opportunity

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM Mountain Time on the posting end date.

Important Guidelines: Applicant resumes must demonstrate how they meet the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS listed in the job announcement.

Selection Process: Resumes will be screened based on the criteria outlined in this announcement. A select number of candidates who have demonstrated that they meet the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position and have the most relevant qualifications may be given the opportunity to be interviewed.

The Department of Environmental Quality may conduct verification of the information provided in your application, including validation of driver's license status, education, employment, and criminal history. Omission and/or falsification of information provided in your application will result in your removal from consideration for employment, appointment, or promotion.

State of Idaho Employees: When searching for a new career within the state, browse and apply through Luma Opportunities. Applying through the State External Career website will cause duplicate profiles and will slow the processing of your application for a new job. Internal candidates should always use Luma Opportunities.

This position may be eligible for hybrid telecommuting in accordance with the Statewide Telecommuting Policy . Telecommuting may be subject to successful completion of probation.

Position:

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is hiring a Communications Manager for the State Office in Boise.

Salary Range: $41.00-$45.00

Responsibilities:

· Develop, recommend, and implement agency-wide internal and external communications strategies, standards, goals, materials, and tools, while monitoring the effectiveness of those strategies:

- Develop and implement crisis communication plans as needed.

- Participate in director’s meetings to assess agency needs.

- Assist staff with communication planning and program branding to develop content based on needs, target audience, tone, and agency goals.

- Work with senior management to identify agency communication needs and opportunities for improvement.

- Create internal communication strategies and protocols that foster employee morale and engagement.

- Develop and oversee a social media presence that aligns with agency communication strategies and legal requirements.

- Work with the graphic designer and arrange for design of presentations and photography if needed.

- Provide communication support for special projects, events, and initiatives as needed.

· Act as agency liaison with governor's office on agency communications:

- Ensure the governor's office is informed of high-profile media inquiries and is offered opportunity to provide input to agency's response.

· Oversee agency's technical editing program and communication program:

- Manage the Communications program budget and track expenditures to ensure compliance with budgeted amounts.

- Create operational plans, policies, and procedures for communication protocols.

- Draft, develop, and/or oversee the publication and distribution of materials published by the agency.

- Schedule and track editing activities, collaborate with program staff to meet deadlines, track personnel hours, report hours quarterly to administrators, and provide editing services as needed.

- Create and implement an editorial policy and calendar to support agency's goals and initiatives.

- Oversee and assist with the development of speeches, presentations, white papers, and other collateral of key stakeholder groups.

- Provide guidance and coaching to managers, supervisors, and senior leaders on communication strategies.

· Supervise staff in the communications group:

- Conduct annual performance evaluations.

- Meet routinely to review performance; counsel and develop staff as needed; and approve p-card statements, invoices, and travel and training requests.

- Submit weekly team report to supervisor.

- Hire, provide guidance, and facilitate communication and cooperation between staff and leadership.

· Develop the agency's strategic plan and annual legislative performance report:

- Coordinate with staff and senior leadership to develop the strategic plan, including the performance measure report for the legislature. Monitor its progress for updates.

· Facilitate agency-wide training as needed:

- Apply data and analytic insights to inform communication strategies and tactics.

- Identify communications-related training needed by the agency and conduct the training or organize trainings by an outside party.

- Prepare videos, print, and digital media communications.

· Act as the Title VI nondiscrimination coordinator for the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

- Coordinate compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning nondiscrimination requirements and coordinate responses with the Director's Office.

- Ensure accessibility of communication materials.

· Oversee development of agency web and social media content:

- Review content, post documents, and make website changes as needed to support staff. Craft narratives and content and implement them through communications channels to advance the agency's work.

· Oversee development and periodic review of agency outreach materials:

- Review and approve content, working with graphic designer and editor as needed.

- Collaborate with HR, senior leadership, and others to ensure messaging aligns with key agency strategies and goals.

- Develop and administer surveys to collect key information for agency leadership and stakeholders as needed.

- Direct the DEQ outreach committee and act as a point of contact for outreach requests.

· Oversee DEQ media relations:

- Act as a point of contact for media requests for DEQ. Direct media requests to the appropriate subject-matter expert for response.

- Coach staff on interviews, running practice interviews and holding training courses as needed.

- Request corrections from media for misquoted or misconstrued information as needed.

- Ensure DEQ’s external communications align with internal brand and tone and media relations guidelines.

- Draft news releases and public comment announcements for the agency and oversee their publication.

- Determine the appropriate forum to share news in a timely and appropriate manner.

- Develop talking points for DEQ staff and issues as needed.

- Oversee the publication of display ads.

- Act as the agency’s representative to the Idaho Office of Emergency Management’s Public Information Emergency Response Team for quarterly meetings.

Minimum Qualifications:

Good Knowledge of: Effective communication strategies, including verbal and written communication skills. Current trends in digital and social media; Writing, editing, proofreading, and layout and design; Printing and publishing tools such as: Microsoft Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Adobe In Design, Drupal, or WordPress.

Desired Specialty Minimum Qualification

Supervisory experience

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodations

• Ability to sit and work on a computer for 2-4 hours at a time.

• Ability to bend and reach for filing purposes.

• Some periods of heavy reading and typing are required.

• Some travel may be required.

• Must have a valid driver’s license.

• Occasional travel required.

Benefits:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://statecareers.idaho.gov/pages/benefits

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

About Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ):

DEQ is a state department created by the Idaho Environmental Protection and Health Act to ensure clean air, water, and land in the state and protect Idaho citizens from the adverse health impacts of pollution. As a regulatory agency, DEQ enforces various state environmental regulations and administers a number of federal environmental protection laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The agency is committed to working in partnership with local communities, businesses, and citizens to identify and implement cost-effective environmental solutions.

To protect human health and the quality of

Idaho's air, land, and water.

www.deq.idaho.gov

If you have questions, please contact us at:

Email: recruitment@deq.idaho.gov

Phone: (208) 373-0333