Information Specialist 2 - Communications & Public Information
State of Iowa - Executive Branch, Des Moines, IA, United States
Information Specialist 2 - Communications & Public Information
Department of Administrative Services (DAS) – Human Resources Enterprise (HRE)
Why Join DAS‑HRE & the State of Iowa?
At DAS‑HRE, we support the people and processes that power State of Iowa government. This role sits at the center of that work, helping ensure clear, consistent, and transparent communication across agencies, leadership, and the public. As part of our team, you’ll help shape how critical information is shared, understood, and acted upon, supporting everything from policy communication to public transparency.
Work that matters – help communicate initiatives that impact Iowa’s workforce and communities
Enterprise‑level impact – collaborate across agencies and leadership to drive consistency and clarity
Professional growth – opportunities to expand your expertise in public‑sector communications
Stability & purpose – a meaningful career in public service
What You’ll Do
As the central communications lead for DAS‑HRE, you will serve as a key advisor and coordinator for internal and external communications, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned across the enterprise.
In This Role, You Will
Lead Communications Strategy & Execution
Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and public information plan
Establish and manage communication work‑plans aligned with agency priorities
Evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and continuously improve approaches
Serve as a Key Liaison & Advisor
Act as the primary communications liaison between DAS‑HRE and the Chief Communications Officer
Advise program staff and leadership on messaging, tone, and communication strategy
Manage Public Information & Open Records
Serve as DAS‑HRE’s open records liaison, ensuring accurate, timely, and consistent responses
Prepare, review, and edit open records requests in collaboration with legal and leadership teams
Maintain records and documentation to support transparency and consistency
Develop High‑Impact Written Communications
Prepare talking points, reports, media releases, articles, and stakeholder communications
Draft and edit materials for leadership, including the COO and bureau chiefs
Support development of legislative, budgetary, and program‑related communications
Support Internal Communications
Provide guidance, tools, and training to staff on communication standards and best practices
Develop and maintain style guides and communication templates
Facilitate collaboration across teams to ensure accurate and inclusive messaging
Oversee Digital & Content Management
Primary contact for website support and development within DAS‑HRE
Draft, edit, and maintain website content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with policy
Participate in website governance and improvement efforts
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a strong communicator who can operate both strategically and tactically. This individual will need to translate complex information into clear, actionable messaging while navigating a multi‑stakeholder environment.
The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences
Experience developing and executing communication plans or strategies
Ability to manage sensitive or complex information with professionalism and discretion
Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work across teams and leadership levels
Attention to detail and commitment to consistency, accuracy, and clarity
Experience with public information, government communications, or open records processes (preferred)
Why This Role Matters
Clear communication builds trust, strengthens collaboration, and ensures transparency in government. In this role, you’ll help shape how information flows across DAS‑HRE and beyond, supporting informed decision‑making and reinforcing the State of Iowa’s commitment to serving the public effectively.
Benefits
At the State of Iowa, we are committed to your well-being. As a valued team member, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
Paid Time Off: Vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual, and 9 paid holidays per year
Great benefits: Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance options
Retirement plan: IPERS retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan
Flexibility: Flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care)
Life insurance: free life insurance
Support: employee assistance programs and employee discount programs
E‑Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E‑Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.
Selectives
405 Media Communication
Six months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in preparing and writing materials to disseminate information to the public through the media such as newspapers, TV/radio, etc. May also have dealt with reporters on a regular basis for news releases.
406 Mass Communication
12 semester hours of coursework involving: journalism, public relations, graphics, or communicative arts. 6 months’ experience including: writing, editing, layout, design, and publishing of printed materials plus responsibility for disseminating information about the activities of an organization through newspapers, radio, television, periodicals, pamphlets, brochures, and other media. Experience could also involve responsibility for advising management on the public relations implications of management decisions or serving as spokesperson for the organization to media representatives. Applicants must attach an unofficial transcript for verification.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in journalism, public relations, graphic design, or communications and experience equal to two 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.
All of the following (a and b):
Two years of full‑time work experience in planning and developing content for dissemination through traditional media (newspapers, publications, radio, and television), websites, social media, and/or public speaking;
A total of four years of education and/or full‑time experience (as described in part a), 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.
Number two above, where 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 1.
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Department of Administrative Services (DAS) – Human Resources Enterprise (HRE)
Why Join DAS‑HRE & the State of Iowa?
At DAS‑HRE, we support the people and processes that power State of Iowa government. This role sits at the center of that work, helping ensure clear, consistent, and transparent communication across agencies, leadership, and the public. As part of our team, you’ll help shape how critical information is shared, understood, and acted upon, supporting everything from policy communication to public transparency.
Work that matters – help communicate initiatives that impact Iowa’s workforce and communities
Enterprise‑level impact – collaborate across agencies and leadership to drive consistency and clarity
Professional growth – opportunities to expand your expertise in public‑sector communications
Stability & purpose – a meaningful career in public service
What You’ll Do
As the central communications lead for DAS‑HRE, you will serve as a key advisor and coordinator for internal and external communications, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned across the enterprise.
In This Role, You Will
Lead Communications Strategy & Execution
Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and public information plan
Establish and manage communication work‑plans aligned with agency priorities
Evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and continuously improve approaches
Serve as a Key Liaison & Advisor
Act as the primary communications liaison between DAS‑HRE and the Chief Communications Officer
Advise program staff and leadership on messaging, tone, and communication strategy
Manage Public Information & Open Records
Serve as DAS‑HRE’s open records liaison, ensuring accurate, timely, and consistent responses
Prepare, review, and edit open records requests in collaboration with legal and leadership teams
Maintain records and documentation to support transparency and consistency
Develop High‑Impact Written Communications
Prepare talking points, reports, media releases, articles, and stakeholder communications
Draft and edit materials for leadership, including the COO and bureau chiefs
Support development of legislative, budgetary, and program‑related communications
Support Internal Communications
Provide guidance, tools, and training to staff on communication standards and best practices
Develop and maintain style guides and communication templates
Facilitate collaboration across teams to ensure accurate and inclusive messaging
Oversee Digital & Content Management
Primary contact for website support and development within DAS‑HRE
Draft, edit, and maintain website content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with policy
Participate in website governance and improvement efforts
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a strong communicator who can operate both strategically and tactically. This individual will need to translate complex information into clear, actionable messaging while navigating a multi‑stakeholder environment.
The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences
Experience developing and executing communication plans or strategies
Ability to manage sensitive or complex information with professionalism and discretion
Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work across teams and leadership levels
Attention to detail and commitment to consistency, accuracy, and clarity
Experience with public information, government communications, or open records processes (preferred)
Why This Role Matters
Clear communication builds trust, strengthens collaboration, and ensures transparency in government. In this role, you’ll help shape how information flows across DAS‑HRE and beyond, supporting informed decision‑making and reinforcing the State of Iowa’s commitment to serving the public effectively.
Benefits
At the State of Iowa, we are committed to your well-being. As a valued team member, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
Paid Time Off: Vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual, and 9 paid holidays per year
Great benefits: Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance options
Retirement plan: IPERS retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan
Flexibility: Flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care)
Life insurance: free life insurance
Support: employee assistance programs and employee discount programs
E‑Verify and Right to Work
The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E‑Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.
Selectives
405 Media Communication
Six months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in preparing and writing materials to disseminate information to the public through the media such as newspapers, TV/radio, etc. May also have dealt with reporters on a regular basis for news releases.
406 Mass Communication
12 semester hours of coursework involving: journalism, public relations, graphics, or communicative arts. 6 months’ experience including: writing, editing, layout, design, and publishing of printed materials plus responsibility for disseminating information about the activities of an organization through newspapers, radio, television, periodicals, pamphlets, brochures, and other media. Experience could also involve responsibility for advising management on the public relations implications of management decisions or serving as spokesperson for the organization to media representatives. Applicants must attach an unofficial transcript for verification.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:
Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in journalism, public relations, graphic design, or communications and experience equal to two 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.
All of the following (a and b):
Two years of full‑time work experience in planning and developing content for dissemination through traditional media (newspapers, publications, radio, and television), websites, social media, and/or public speaking;
A total of four years of education and/or full‑time experience (as described in part a), 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.
Number two above, where 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 1.
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