Summary
Description
About This Position:
This position exists to serve as a media specialist and public information officer for BHA. This position supports the development and execution of the BHA media strategy, social media presence, newsletter(s), and other special projects. The position manages external efforts for the BHA to communicate with, educate, inform, and engage partner agencies, the public, and the media regarding BH programs and services.
This position is a point of contact for local, national, and international media and the Governor’s Press Office, and is responsible for the media and public relations initiatives for BHA. This position creates, manages, and implements external PR/media initiatives and budgets. In the process of performing work, this position writes and selects material for release to broadcast, print, and online media; fields requests from reporters; manages press conferences; and coordinates with the Governor’s Office communications staff, as needed.
Description of Job:
Media and PR Communications
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Manages all media requests and responses in a timely, accurate, and consistent manner.
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Prepares advisories, fact sheets, and press releases to communicate with media, the public, and BHA stakeholders about initiatives or program content that impact or potentially impact the Department.
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Detects public relations issues as they emerge and addresses them expediently with the Communications Director and senior leadership.
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Decides the appropriate subject matter expert to participate in media responses, either written statement, interview, or other
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Provides editing support and feedback on public awareness efforts, public relations communication, and external messaging.
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Translates complex information concisely and clearly to members of the media and the public.
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Writes, edits, and distributes media advisories, releases, and fact sheets, working with the Communications Director, senior leadership, and program staff to provide accurate and timely information.
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Plans and oversees press conferences and other media events, including preparing agendas and conducting research, preparing briefing materials; and coordinating schedules and logistics.
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Develops key messaging to Department stakeholders and partners in collaboration with senior leadership and program staff.
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Works with Senior Leadership and other staff members to ensure that they are prepared for any interactions with the media, including providing general training on media readiness.
External communication and social media management
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Manage social media accounts including creating original posts, and sharing content from other state agencies or relevant state and federal partners.
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Curate, compile, create, and post content about BHA people, programs, and public updates
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Monitor all social media accounts and respond to posts/messages
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Create an editorial calendar to strategically place BHA material on various platforms
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Analyze, track, and report trends
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Write alt-text and implement other digital accessibility and belonging practices
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Serves as advisor to program staff on BHA-associated social media accounts, such as campaign or program-specific handles
Communications support services
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Coordination of translation services and interpretation, etc.
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Manage the contract for translation and interpretation services
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Supports the communication needs for external engagements, such as hosting Zoom for advisory councils and board meetings
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Identifies opportunities for public speaking, conference presentations, and media highlights for BHA related to behavioral health.
- Develop presentations and talking points for executive leadership that are tailored to specific audiences and include the expertise and independent judgment from this position on what messages resonate.
Other Duties as Assigned
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Experience Only:
Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position.
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation
related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years.
Preferred Qualifications:
- At least 3 years of Public Relations experience.
- Experience working with the media and a proven track record for developing and maintaining trusted relationships with media, industry experts, and online influencers.
- Preference given for experience with Colorado-based media outlets and landscape.
- Experience in developing and implementing communication strategies
- Experience as a spokesperson to the media
- Experience developing social media campaign plans
Conditions of Employment:
Frequent travel is required for site visits within the State of Colorado and to headquarters as needed; may be required to complete overnight travel, infrequent extended travel, or travel outside of Colorado.
This position is designed as hybrid; employees must maintain a home office, internet, and possibly phone to complete required job duties or report to the office
Standard Background – Name check, TRAILS, CMS, and JBITS
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application and provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination, or resignation in lieu of termination will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
Supplemental Information
How to Apply
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact Jamie.smith@state.co.us
About Us:
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high-quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:
Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
BenefitHub state employee discount program
Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training, and more
Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more
information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.
Our Values:
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.
Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public. We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
ADAA Accommodations: CDHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.
