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Communications Director 3

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Communications Director 3

Salary

$86,299.00 - $131,208.00 Annually

Location

Dauphin County, PA

Job Type

Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time

Job Number

N-2025-24882

Department

Department of Environmental Protection

Division

EP Off Cmncs

Opening Date

05/09/2025

Closing Date

5/15/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code

05920

Position Number

00000270

Union

Non Union

Bargaining Unit

A3

Pay Group

ST10

Bureau / Division Code

00350110

Bureau / Division

EP Off Cmncs

Worksite Address

400 Market Street

City

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Zip Code

17105

Contact Name

Nichole Ruiz

Contact Email

[email protected]

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

THE POSITION

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is actively seeking to fill the position of Communications Director, a role that is crucial for managing and enhancing the agency's public relations efforts within the Communications Office. This position offers a unique opportunity for a skilled professional to lead strategic communication initiatives, engage with various stakeholders, and effectively convey the department's mission and goals to the public. If you are passionate about environmental issues and possess a strong background in communications, we encourage you to apply today and become a vital part of our team dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship and public awareness.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

In this position, you will be responsible for crafting and implementing a proactive communication strategy for the Department, ensuring a cohesive presence across various channels, including digital platforms and social media. You will act as a strategic communications advisor to the Secretary and senior staff, aligning key messaging with the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) vision and the administration's priorities. Your role will also involve developing and executing a comprehensive branding and reputational strategy for the agency, which encompasses educational initiatives and public relations efforts. Additionally, you will coordinate responses to media inquiries, manage crisis communication during environmental emergencies, and oversee a diverse team of communications professionals throughout the agency. Your responsibilities will include planning and directing the Department's public relations program, which covers communications, media relations, public information, and promotional activities. You will guide professional and technical staff in organizing interviews between Department personnel and the media, as well as in preparing a variety of informational materials for dissemination across multiple media outlets. Furthermore, you will either write or oversee the writing of speeches and testimonies for the Secretary and other high-ranking officials, ensuring that all public-facing materials, including news releases and scripts for television and radio, are polished and effective . Establishing and nurturing strong working relationships with Department officials will be crucial, as you will serve as a liaison among various bureaus, other departments, the Governor’s Office, and the media. Finally, you will analyze and assess the public relations implications of both proposed and existing Department programs and policies, providing valuable insights to the Secretary and other officials to inform decision-making processes.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description (https://careers.employment.pa.gov/pd/PD\_NEOGOV.asp?p=00000270) .

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

+ Full-time employment

+ Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.

+ Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time up to 2 days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in the Rachel Carson State Office Building- Harrisburg.

+ Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.

+ You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

+ Six years of professional experience in the field of public relations, including three years in a responsible administrative or supervisory capacity; and a bachelor's degree with major course work in journalism, communications, English, or a closely related field;or

+ An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

+ You must have experience with strategic communications.

+ You must have experience with digital media relations.

+ You must have experience with managing multiple direct reports.

+ You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

+ Your application must include aresume.

+ You must attach a cover letter and resume to your application for review by the hiring manager. However, the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

+ If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

+ Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

+ Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

+ Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at [email protected] .

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

+ 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this shortvideo (https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtcSRnndflc?rel=0) !

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring ourbenefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visitwww.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.

01

How many years of full-time professional experience in the field of public relations do you possess?

+ 6 years or more

+ 5 but less than 6 years

+ 4 but less than 5 years

+ 3 but less than 4 years

+ 2 but less than 3 years

+ 1 but less than 2 years

+ Less than 1 year

+ None

02

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

03

Do you possess three years of full-time professional experience in the field of public relations in a responsible administrative or supervisory capacity?

+ Yes

+ No

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

05

How much graduate coursework have you completed in the field of public relations?

If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.

If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must also upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation. For more information on foreign education credentials, please visithttps://www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx#q3and click on Other Information.

+ 30 credits or more

+ Less than 30 credits

+ None

06

Additional Requirement - Do you have experience with strategic communications?

+ Yes

+ No

07

If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please describe your experience in detail below as it relates to this question. Otherwise, please respond with "N/A."

08

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

09

Additional Requirement - Do you have experience with digital media relations?

+ Yes

+ No

10

If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please describe your experience in detail below as it relates to this question. Otherwise, please respond with "N/A."

11

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

12

Additional Requirement - Do you have experience managing multiple direct reports?

+ Yes

+ No

13

If you answered "Yes" to the question above, please describe your experience in detail below, including the total number of direct reports and subordinates as it relates to this question. Otherwise, please respond with "N/A."

14

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.

Required Question

Employer

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Address

613 North Street

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120

Website

http://www.employment.pa.gov