Marketing and Communications Specialist IV - 2 positions

The eligible list established from this posting may fill other similar positions in the same class including some permanent regular and term-limited positions.About the Colorado Department of Local AffairsThe Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) serves as the primary interface between the State and local communities. The Department provides financial support to local communities and professional and technical services (including training and technical assistance) to community leaders in the areas of governance, housing, and property tax administration. While all state governments provide such services through various Departmental structures, Colorado’s approach is unique in that these local community services are gathered into one Department of “Local Affairs,” which has a central focus on strengthening Colorado communities and enhancing livability.VisionThe Department of Local Affairs is responsible for strengthening Colorado's local communities through accessible, affordable, and secure housing; implementing property tax law; capacity building, strategic training, research, technical assistance, and funding to localities.MissionOur mission is to help strengthen Colorado’s communitiesWhy work for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs?The work we do matters greatly. It matters to us and it matters to the citizens of the great state of Colorado. We love our community and are passionate about supporting our community. We value the diversity that Colorado offers. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference in communities across the State, consider joining the dedicated people of the Department of Local Affairs.In addition, we offer a great location and great benefits, which include:• Medical and dental plans• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus pre-tax and ROTH 401K, and 457 plans• Employee wellness programs• Paid life insurance• Short and long-term disability coverage• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave• Free RTD EcoPass to all eligible State Employees• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs• Training opportunities• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program.Summary of the position:The Department of Local Affairs Communications Team is responsible for developing and executing the DOLA communications strategy, ensuring that it effectively conveys our department objectives and engages Coloradans. The team is made up of communications professionals who collaborate closely with the leadership team to drive comprehensive communication initiatives across various channels. Externally, the communications team guides strategy for responding to media inquiries, social media, managing digital assets, website content, email communications, event briefings and talking points, coordinating stakeholder engagement to groups such as Colorado residents, local, state and federal officials and their staffs, government associations and fellow state agencies. Internally, the communications team disseminates information to staff, including leadership messaging through weekly briefs, intranet, and all-staff meetings. The Communications Team is made up of communications specialists both located in EDO and embedded within the Divisions.We are currently hiring two (2) Marketing and Communication Specialist IV Staff Authority positions to support the following Divisions:Division of Housing Communications Manager:This position is the communications subject matter expert for the Division of Housing, and exists to create communication strategies and materials supporting the Division of Housing and its programs. It is responsible for creating and implementing the DOH communications and stakeholder outreach plans, maintaining content on DOH’s website, supporting the DOH staff with presentation materials, including talking points, slide decks and promotional collateral, organizing and drafting email marketing materials such as eblasts and enewsletters, and correspondence with constituents. It will also contribute content to DOLA’s social media and address constituent questions.Division of Local Government Communications Manager:This position is the communications subject matter expert for the Division of Local Governments, and exists to create communication strategies and materials supporting the Division of Local Governments and its programs. It is responsible for creating and implementing the DLG communications and stakeholder outreach plans, maintaining content on DLG’s website, supporting the DLG staff with presentation materials, including talking points, slide decks and promotional collateral, organizing and drafting email marketing materials such as eblasts and enewsletters, and correspondence with constituents. It will also contribute content to DOLA’s social media and address constituent questions.Duties of these positions include but are not limited to the following:Responsible for creating the communications strategy for the assigned Division, by implementing goals, objectives, strategies and tactics for Division programs and maintaining all communications needs of the Division.Supports Division Office Directors and Program Managers to implement and manage the short and long-term strategy for the Division internal and external communications, while aligning Division communications materials with the overall DOLA brand and messaging. The position authors, edits, and designs public information, reports and informational materials about Division programs for interested parties.In alignment with the communication plan and emerging constituent needs, the position will develop content for speaking engagements, (including keynotes, panel presentations, groundbreaking and grand opening appearances and webinars) specifically preparing the speaker with talking points, slide decks, FAQs and anything else needed.Create social media content, monitors social media pages to address questions and monitor social media metrics to ensure continued growth and reaching key audiences through organic and promoted content.Work with the Digital Strategy manager and Division Director, Deputy Director, Program Managers and key staff to keep information on the Division website current and in alignment with accessibility standards. This involves authoring and editing web content, revising language, as necessary, of existing content for clarification of information to target audiences.Provides reports to management regarding social media usage and communications campaigns, assists Program Managers and Office Directors in planning public meetings, and works with internal staff to brainstorm content ideas for various initiatives. This includes developing a strategy and tactics for notifying interested parties about meetings that are customized based on the audience, location, and goals for each meeting. Position will also manage requests for program staff to speak at events organized by outside groups so that the division is well represented.Education and Experience:Seven years of professional experience in one or more of the following: communications, community engagement, public relations, public administration, public information/media relations.ORBachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Communications, Political Science, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or a closely related degree as determined by the Department.ANDThree years of professional experience in communications, community engagement, public relations, public administration, public information/media relations.ORMaster's degree from an accredited institution in Communications, Political Science, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or a closely related degree as determined by the Department.ANDTwo years of professional experience in communications, community engagement, public relations, public administration, public information/media relations.ORDoctorate degree from an accredited institution in Communications, Political Science, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or a closely related degree as determined by the Department.ANDOne year of professional experience in communications, community engagement, public relations, public administration, public information/media relations.Preferred qualifications that a successful candidate will demonstrate:• Strategic communications and/or public relations experience at a State of Colorado agency• Strategic communications and/or public relations experience working for a government organization.• Ability to communicate to the diverse audiences who represent the state of Colorado• Established partnerships with state, federal and local community stakeholders• Ability to understand and synthesize complex issues quickly and produce clear and concise materials• Understanding of IDEA principles and the importance of effective communications in reaching underserved communities• Ability to work under tight deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments• Additional years of experience working with current communication channels (print, website, video, email, blog, social media, direct mail, media relations) and experience tailoring "voice" across channels and audiences.• Familiarity with Colorado’s media and political landscape• Proven project management expertise.• DOH Communication Manager Preferred Qualifications• Familiarity with affordable housing initiatives in Colorado• Familiarity with Proposition 123• Experience working with housing and rental assistance programs• DLG Communication Manager Preferred Qualifications• Familiarity with urban planning• Experience working with disaster recovery or resiliency efforts• Experience working with Colorado local governmentsHighly Desired Skills and Competencies:• Commitment to public service and equity• Content development and translation of collateral, forms and information for stakeholders• Communication support and copy writing• Strong written communications skills• Experience with website content management• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills• Proven ability to work independently and accept supervision• Proven success organizing and tracking workloadConditions of Employment:• You MUST be a Colorado resident to apply for this position.• Valid Colorado Driver's License is required.• Travel – Explain: occasional day travel, rare overnight travelApplication Checklist:Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement will result in your application being rejected.Applicants may submit a resume, cover letter/letter of interest detailing how their experience and background address the stated minimum and preferred qualifications/competencies of the job and attach to the online application. Applications left blank or marked “See Resume” will not be accepted.The application may include the following documents:• A cover letter (attach to your online application).• A resume (attach to your online application)Note: Current and former employees (transfers, voluntary demotions, and reinstatements) if applying are required to participate in the comparative analysis process.Comparative Analysis:Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis. The comparative analysis for this position will include a structured application review of the materials submitted with your online application including a reviews of the written responses to the supplemental questions. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, the next step will include a video or a voice screening of the applicants.Please Note:As of July 1, 2023, all DOLA new hires, including transfers of current state employees and reinstatements of former state employees, will be placed on the biweekly pay schedule. This means you will be paid every other Friday for a total of 26 pay periods over the course of a year. Biweekly pay is also lag pay, meaning you will be paid two weeks after the end of each pay period. Please click here for more information about the move to biweekly payroll.The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.DOLA 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 to perform 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 Joel Ferguson, DOLA ADA Coordinator at joel.ferguson@state.co.us.Email Address:All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email. Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.Please Note:As of July 1, 2023, all DOLA new hires, including transfers of current state employees and reinstatements of former state employees, will be placed on the biweekly pay schedule. This means you will be paid every other Friday for a total of 26 pay periods over the course of a year. Biweekly pay is also lag pay, meaning you will be paid two weeks after the end of each pay period. Please click here for more information about the move to biweekly payroll.Appeal Rights:An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director. As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Department’s action.For further information on the Board Rules, you can 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/board-rules.