Communications Officer

Agency

Adult Correction

Division

Secretary's Office

Job Classification Title

Information & Communications Spec III (NS)

Position Number

60056041

Grade

NC16

About Us

The NC Department of Adult Correction is one of the largest state agencies with more than 14,000 employees. It is responsible for safeguarding and preserving lives and property through prevention, protection, and preparation as well as the care, custody, and supervision of all adults sentenced for violating North Carolina laws. This department includes state prisons with custody, healthcare, and facility operations staff as well as probation/parole officers who supervised sentenced people in the community. Other divisions include Administration, Health Services, Rehabilitation & Reentry, Special Operations and the Post-Release Supervision & Parole Commission. We have a mission that matters!

Description of Work

The Communications Office leads all communication efforts for the department, serving both the media and the general public. The office develops, coordinates, and implements communication strategies that support the department’s mission and strengthen awareness and understanding of its policies and functions. Areas of responsibility include crisis communication, media relations, public records and data requests, and management of all news media inquiries.

The Communications Office also oversees internal and external websites, social media channels, printed publications, marketing initiatives, and advertising. Its role is to ensure consistent, accurate messaging and to support all divisions and sections in communicating effectively and appropriately.

The Public Information Officer (PIO) serves as the primary communications lead for the Division of Institutions/Prisons. This position works closely with division leadership to advance the department’s public affairs goals and ensure clear, coordinated communication.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Managing media relations for the Institutions/Prisons Division.

• Responding to news inquiries and coordinating information with subject-matter experts.

• Pitching proactive story ideas that highlight the division’s work and initiatives.

• Assisting with social media content creation related to the division.

• Supporting website updates and content accuracy.

• Contributing to communication strategies that align with department-wide messaging.

This role requires strong relationship‑building skills, sound judgment, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $57,983.00 - $101,470.00 Annually

Recruitment Range: $57,983.00 - $79,726.00 Annually

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

Management Preferences:

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before the End Date.

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits .

Note to Current State Employees:

State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY result.

Supplemental Contact Information

NCDAC uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. For more information about the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections (NCDAC), please visit us at our website .

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the night before closing date .

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.

• If applying for a position certified through the NC Dept. of Justice - Criminal Justice Standards Division, click this link for specific certification requirements: Correctional & Probation/Parole Officer Certification .

• The NC Dept. of Adult Correction must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape."Click this link for information on hiring and promotion prohibition requirements for all positions in the NC Dept. of Adult Correction: PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) .

• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. The hiring process may take several weeks.

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.

  • For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members .

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, NCDAC will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media, journalism, English, or related field from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity work; (OR) an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Anchal Mishra

Email:

recruiters@dac.nc.gov