Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust
Board of Directors
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Public Information Specialist
POSITION SUMMARY
The Public Information Specialist assists in coordinating and facilitating internal and external strategic communications for the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) related to the agency’s activities and accomplishments. The Public Information Specialist works under the Director of Public Information and Outreach to implement and coordinate communications plans that assure effective communication of the agency’s mission, programs and priorities to key stakeholders, opinion leaders, the public, potential grant applicants and current grantees and contractors.
The Public Information Specialist carries out duties and a work plan to inform the public, key stakeholders, partners, and grantees about TSET’s mission, impact and results.
Job performance will be evaluated by the Director of Public Information and Outreach.
GOALS AND WORKER ACTIVITIES
- Assists in the development and implementation of a strategic communication plan that leverages TSET programs, subject matter expertise and programmatic outcomes for increased awareness and knowledge about TSET’s impact.
- Collaborates within the agency and with contract media firm to advance TSET communications messages and objectives.
- Helps to manage projects and contributes to departmental organization and efficiency
- Develops timelines and implements projects or products to assist in accomplishment of established goals.
- Writes and edits press releases, fact sheets, talking points, annual reports, newsletters and other materials, supports earned media efforts and assists in keeping the TSET website current.
- Monitors and assists in the creation and revision of content for agency website, social media channels, and ensures social media monitoring and public responsiveness.
- Coordinates earned media opportunities and maintains relationships with members of the media and stakeholder groups.
- Supports agency efforts to comply with Open Records and Open Meetings laws.
- Monitors, creates and revises content for the agency’s website and insures information is current and responsive to the needs of the key stakeholders, opinion leaders, applicants, grantees and the public.
- Assists in ensuring agency work product and practices meet high standards and assists in opportunities for growth and refinement to agency communication efforts with internal and external audiences to uphold high standards for transparency and accountability.
- Assists in the preparation, editing, coordination and distribution of policy briefs, research, grantee support materials.
- Maintains positive relationships with a variety of groups to support overall goals of TSET and strategic communication plan to educate key audiences on TSET’s work and impact.
- Works with Public Information Department to support efforts by TSET to educate on the benefits of evidence-based policy changes.
- Other duties as identified and assigned by the Director of Public Information.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
The Public Information Specialist must have a combination of education and experience necessary to fulfill the responsibilities and expectations contained in this position description. At a minimum, a candidate for the Public Information Specialist must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, preferably in public relations, communications, marketing, English or a related area of study and two years of experience in a related field.
SALARY RANGE
- $47,000-$53,000 per year
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Excellent planning and organizational skills.
- Skilled in information gathering, writing and oral communication. Ability to synthesize complex, interrelated material and focus on key points for various audiences.
- Knowledge of social media content creation, digital and email marketing strategies.
- Strategic, critical thinking about methods to achieve outcomes.
- Ability to research and solve problems creatively.
- Experience using strategic communications to inform various audiences including media outlets.
- Collaboration and ability to work with team members to achieve agency goals.
- Exceptional influencing and interpersonal skills and a collaborative, energetic approach.
- Skill in developing and maintaining effective partnerships and collaborations
- Experience with state and local issue education campaigns is preferred, but not required
ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES FOR THIS ROLE INCLUDE:
- Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills, able to work independently as well as in collaboration with colleagues, partners, grantees and stakeholders.
- Robust work ethic and effective time management and organizational skills, including ability to manage multiple projects.
TSET offices are currently closed to the public and staff works remotely in a paperless environment during the current COVID pandemic. Successful applicant will demonstrate ability to remain on task with minimum supervision.
Please send résumé, cover letter and writing samples to Melanie Sommers at MelanieS@tset.ok.gov by April 12, 2021.