OAG - Communications | Information Specialist III-IV | 26-0250
Texas Attorney General, Austin, TX, United States
Overview The press secretary assists with the daily operations of the Communications Division. The press secretary monitors and responds to media inquiries, writes and edits press releases, drafts materials including op-eds, social media content and talking points, and tracks current events and performs research on a variety of legal and policy issues in the public interest. The press secretary must be detail-oriented and capable of meeting short deadlines.
The OAG is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout the State of Texas. As the State’s law firm, the OAG provides exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans.
Essential Position Functions
Responsible for writing and editing press releases
Responds to media requests as an on-the-record spokesperson or designates another appropriate spokesperson or information source to ensure accurate and timely responses
Assists in preparing and coordinating outreach events, news conferences and interviews
Exercises independent judgment and initiative to identify, prioritize and implement short and long-term priorities within the agency in assigned areas. Develops and executes corresponding communications, marketing, and strategic policy plans
Conceives and develops a variety of public information for both print and broadcast products, including press releases and online media. Must be able to clearly convey legal issues in easily accessible format, show skills in journalistic style writing
Edits and writes a variety of formats, including talking points, news releases and electronic media, clearly conveying complex legal rulings in easy-to-understand language
Maintains knowledge of writing and editing for accuracy and style
Works over 40 hours per week as needed. Hours might include evenings and weekends
Provides excellent customer service and works both independently and as a team in a collegial environment
Performs related work as assigned
Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule
Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information
Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Information Specialist III
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in government, political science, communications, public relations, or related field. Related work experience for required education on a year-for-year basis.
Experience: Two years of full-time experience in the following (or closely related) fields: communications, public relations, or journalism
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively on a variety of legal and public policy issues
Skill in writing journalistic style
Skill in research and writing on complex issues
Skill in writing and editing press releases for accuracy and style
Ability to clearly convey difficult legal rulings in easy-to-understand language
Ability to meet aggressive and last-minute deadlines on parallel tracks
Ability to use appropriate judgment in speaking to a variety of media, including general interest publications and electronic media
Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
Skill in effective oral and written communication
Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback
Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
Ability to provide excellent customer service
Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG work space within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave)
Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.
Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 15%
Information Specialist IV
All of the above qualifications for Information Specialist III, PLUS: Three additional years of full-time experience in the following (or closely related) fields: communications, public relations, or journalism
Preferred Qualifications
Education: Master’s Degree in a related discipline
Experience communicating ideas efficiently and effectively
Knowledge of local, state, and federal policy
Knowledge of consumer protection issues and consumer advocacy
Experience staffing prominent figures or elected officials
To Apply
To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through CAPPS Recruit. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_InformationandCommunication.pdf
Equal Opportunity
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer
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The OAG is a dynamic state agency with over 4,000 employees throughout the State of Texas. As the State’s law firm, the OAG provides exemplary legal representation in diverse areas of law. OAG employees enjoy excellent benefits along with tremendous opportunities to do important work at a large, dynamic state agency making a positive difference in the lives of Texans.
Essential Position Functions
Responsible for writing and editing press releases
Responds to media requests as an on-the-record spokesperson or designates another appropriate spokesperson or information source to ensure accurate and timely responses
Assists in preparing and coordinating outreach events, news conferences and interviews
Exercises independent judgment and initiative to identify, prioritize and implement short and long-term priorities within the agency in assigned areas. Develops and executes corresponding communications, marketing, and strategic policy plans
Conceives and develops a variety of public information for both print and broadcast products, including press releases and online media. Must be able to clearly convey legal issues in easily accessible format, show skills in journalistic style writing
Edits and writes a variety of formats, including talking points, news releases and electronic media, clearly conveying complex legal rulings in easy-to-understand language
Maintains knowledge of writing and editing for accuracy and style
Works over 40 hours per week as needed. Hours might include evenings and weekends
Provides excellent customer service and works both independently and as a team in a collegial environment
Performs related work as assigned
Maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions
Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule
Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information
Complies with all agency policies and procedures, including those pertaining to ethics and integrity
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Information Specialist III
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in government, political science, communications, public relations, or related field. Related work experience for required education on a year-for-year basis.
Experience: Two years of full-time experience in the following (or closely related) fields: communications, public relations, or journalism
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively on a variety of legal and public policy issues
Skill in writing journalistic style
Skill in research and writing on complex issues
Skill in writing and editing press releases for accuracy and style
Ability to clearly convey difficult legal rulings in easy-to-understand language
Ability to meet aggressive and last-minute deadlines on parallel tracks
Ability to use appropriate judgment in speaking to a variety of media, including general interest publications and electronic media
Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing, and meeting deadlines
Skill in effective oral and written communication
Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making
Ability to receive and respond positively to constructive feedback
Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
Ability to provide excellent customer service
Ability to work in person at assigned OAG work location, perform all assigned tasks at designated OAG work space within OAG work location, and perform in-person work with coworkers (e.g., collaborating, training, mentoring) for the entirety of every work week (unless on approved leave)
Ability to arrange for personal transportation for business-related travel
Ability to work more than 40 hours as needed and in compliance with the FLSA
Ability to lift and relocate 30 lbs.
Ability to travel (including overnight travel) up to 15%
Information Specialist IV
All of the above qualifications for Information Specialist III, PLUS: Three additional years of full-time experience in the following (or closely related) fields: communications, public relations, or journalism
Preferred Qualifications
Education: Master’s Degree in a related discipline
Experience communicating ideas efficiently and effectively
Knowledge of local, state, and federal policy
Knowledge of consumer protection issues and consumer advocacy
Experience staffing prominent figures or elected officials
To Apply
To apply for a job with the OAG, electronic applications can be submitted through CAPPS Recruit. A State of Texas application must be completed to be considered, and paper applications are not accepted. Your application for this position may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to the Texas Government Code. Military Crosswalk information can be accessed at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_InformationandCommunication.pdf
Equal Opportunity
The OAG is an equal opportunity employer
#J-18808-Ljbffr