State of Iowa is hiring: Information Specialist 3 – Content Creator in Des Moine

Iowa Department of Education’s mission is ensuring all students experience a world-class education. To accomplish our mission, we need talented, passionate people working together to build an excellent education system that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.

We are looking for an experienced communications professional to support the priorities of the Iowa Department of Education.

Information Specialist 3 – Bureau of Communications

In this role you will be the primary content creator and creative storyteller for the Department, focusing on priorities across the Division of Higher Education. You will create original content, develop key messaging, and drive communication through social media, website, news stories, feature stories, and video content to ensure unified, consistent, and positive messaging that promotes the Department’s priorities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as writer and content creator for the Department, particularly related to programs and initiatives for the Division of Higher Education, which includes career and technical education, concurrent enrollment, college and career planning, work‑based learning, education outcomes, postsecondary readiness, financial aid and FAFSA completion, and other initiatives. Interview Departmental officials, employees and external contacts to obtain information about various aspects of programs.
• Build out an editorial calendar and social media schedule in collaboration with other communication content creators to plan news coverage using a combination of written and visual content. Create timely and relevant written content and quickly execute story assignments. Write engaging headlines and copy and work with the Department’s graphic designers and video producer on complementary visuals. Craft social media messaging that draws traffic, increases engagement and grows followers.
• Coordinate communication priorities for assigned areas and develop, implement and maintain communications strategies to support each in consultation with the Department’s director and deputy director of communications. Ensure content is on‑brand and consistent in terms of style, quality and tone of voice across multiple channels. Recommend appropriate channels and platforms to reach different audiences.
• Assist with design and layout of informational materials in collaboration with the design team.
• Curate new clips for the Department on local, statewide and national reported covering the Iowa Department of Education and reported stories impacting education in Iowa.
• Coordinate responses to requests received from the public and other stakeholders for informational materials. Maintain library and files of source materials.

Qualifications

Credentials & Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in journalism, public relations, graphic design, or communications and experience equal to four years of full‑time work planning and developing content for dissemination through traditional media (newspapers, publications, radio, and television), websites, social media, and/or public speaking.
• Four years of full‑time work experience in planning and developing content for dissemination through traditional media, websites, social media, and/or public speaking; and a total of four years of education and/or full‑time experience where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in journalism, public relations, graphic design, or communications equals one year of full‑time experience.
• Twenty‑four semester hours of postgraduate coursework in journalism, public relations, graphic design, or communications from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required full‑time work experience.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to 18 months of full‑time work as an Information Specialist 2.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience utilizing Google Workspace.
• Experience writing and editing copy in AP Style.
• Experience creating, managing and optimizing a company’s presence on social media platforms.

• Opportunities to make a widespread difference in the lives of children, their families, and Iowa communities.
• Collaborative, positive work environment.
• Talented and passionate work colleagues that will help you learn and grow.
• Opportunities to collaborate with experts from around the country.
• Employee discounts from a variety of vendors.
• Competitive salary and benefits package: Benefits information: https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf

Compensation and Work Hours

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday; some nights and weekends, occasional in‑state and out‑of‑state travel. Location: Grimes State Office Building.

Contact

Email: idoe.hr@iowa.gov

Job description available at https://eservices.iowa.gov/icpp/index.faces