ERS - Communications Specialist

Our mission is simply stated: ERS offers competitive benefits to enhance the lives of its members. Each team member across the agency contributes to our ongoing success. ERS is open for business five days a week, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, to meet customers where they need us: in person, on the phone, in their communities, and online. ERS currently offers opportunities that include flexible work schedules.

ERS is seeking a Communications Specialist to perform highly complex (senior-level) informational and educational work as part of the Editorial and Content Development team in the Benefits Communications (BCOM) Division. Work involves leading projects, acting as newsletter and publications editor and working as a part of a team to develop website content. Works under limited supervision of the Director of Benefits Communications, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Writes and serves as project team lead on an ERS newsletter and other publications.

• Writes and edits articles, features, training manuals, brochures, fliers, fact sheets and other publications on retirement, insurance and other topics as needed.

• Plans, schedules and sends newsletter issues and other publications.

• Develops story ideas and topics relevant to activities at ERS and in ERS’s benefits plans.

• Coordinates images and layout with graphic designers.

• Maintains production and publication materials in an organized and accessible manner, in adherence with record retention standards.

• May coordinate photo shoots.

• May serve as the liaison to internal and external print shops to obtain pricing quotes, coordinate printing and fulfillment, and approve printing samples for designated materials.

• Serves as subject matter expert for communications about specific benefits programs – developing strategy and content, and overseeing communications developed both in-house and by external administrators and vendors.

• Writes and edits education and marketing communications materials such as articles, special features, brochures, fact sheets and other content in a style consistent with organizational standards and appropriate for the targeted audience.

• Creates and manages various communication project timelines.

• Drafts strategic communications, such as presentations and talking points, on complex benefits-related topics.

• Maintains materials in an organized and accessible manner, in adherence with record retention standards.

• Conducts project team meetings and briefings.

• Seeks out and utilizes customer and audience input, readership and satisfaction surveys, and other research data to develop, evaluate and improve communications materials.

• Assists with development of presentations on plan information, and may present plan information in person or online.

• Assists with the solicitation and implementation of third-party administrators for ERS’s benefits programs: Reviews and evaluates communications-related information in Requests for Proposals and in bidders’ responses; and manages communications surrounding implementation of new TPAs including, but not limited to, developing strategy, guiding plan administrators’ communication staff, managing reviews, and conducting in-person and online presentations.

• Contributes content for the ERS member website and assists in keeping website content accurate, understandable and easy to navigate.

• Contributes accurate and engaging content to ERS’s social media pages.

• Performs related work as assigned.

• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.

• Complies with all applicable agency policies and procedures, including safety and standards of conduct.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Your application for employment must reflect how you meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications: Your application for employment should reflect how you meet the following preferred qualifications:

PLEASE NOTE: All submissions should contain complete job history entries, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, and a description of duties performed as related to the position you are applying for. Resumes lacking sufficient detail, such as a summary of experience in lieu of progression of work history may not meet minimum qualifications.

Other Information: In accordance with state law, authorization for telework may not be awarded to an employee as a condition of hiring. As an agency process, new employees complete a 30 day fully onsite period before evaluation for a telework agreement. This position may require access to privileged, confidential, or sensitive data. ERS will conduct either a TXDPS or FBI criminal history check on all new hires. For more information about this policy inquiries can be made to employment@ers.texas.gov. Please note: Internal applicants in the same salary group and classification as the posted position are eligible to receive an increase in salary where applicable up to the posted maximum.

ERS does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.

Military Occupational Specialty Codes:

Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with experience in the Military Occupational Specialty (https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_InformationandCommunication.pdf) along with the minimum qualifications listed above may meet the minimum requirements and are highly encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources at employment@ers.texas.gov with questions or for additional information.

How to Apply: Ready to join the dedicated, customer-focused team at ERS? Submit the following to the ERS Human Resources Office:

• Use the link below to create a CAPPS Recruit account and build your profile on the “My JobPage” tab in the upper left corner of the screen.
• https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/327/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en
• Once your profile is complete, click on the “Job Search” tab in the upper left corner of the screen to view available career opportunities and submit your application.

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