Public Information Officer 2-OCOS-Comm

About This Job
At the Louisiana Department of Education, our mission is to ensure equity and excellence for every student. Our Division of Communications makes that mission visible — translating complex policy into clear, accessible information that families, educators, and the public can understand, trust, and act on.

Office of Chief of Staff‑Communications
We are looking for a Public Information Officer 2 to serve as a Communications Specialist within the Division of Communications, supporting the Office of Early Childhood and program offices across the agency. In this role, you will produce public‑facing content across newsletters, social media, the LDOE website, and event‑related communications, keeping our message clear, accurate, accessible, and consistent. You will partner closely with the Office of Early Childhood on a core programmatic partnership, helping develop content, newsletters, and ongoing website updates, and you will support public engagement tools like the LDOE call center and the Ask LDOE Zendesk portal. Success in this role means strong writing and editing, an eye for plain language and accessibility, comfort with digital content tools, and a collaborative, service‑minded approach. If you enjoy turning technical information into content people can actually use and want your work to reach families and educators statewide, this is an exciting opportunity to make an impact.

Applicants With The Following Experience Are Encouraged To Apply

Experience producing public‑facing communications such as newsletters, press releases, talking points, memos, and FAQs

Strong plain‑language writing and editing skills, including translating technical or policy content for public and educator audiences

Experience managing organizational social media and creating platform‑appropriate content

Proficiency with website content management systems and applying web accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG)

Experience creating basic graphics, photos, and short video clips for digital outreach

Familiarity with customer‑support or public‑engagement tools (e.g., a call center or help‑desk/ticketing platform such as Zendesk)

Proficiency with Google Workspace (Google Suite) and Microsoft Office

Proficiency with Constant Contact

Experience supporting communications in a government, education, or other public‑sector environment

Candidates with the following skills and competencies are encouraged to apply

Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.

Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.

Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well‑supported conclusions.

Driving Results: The ability to set and pursue goals, maintain focus amid competing demands, and deliver results.

Thinking Strategically: The ability to anticipate trends, understand context, and align actions with long‑term priorities.

Minimum Qualifications
Four years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR

Six years of full‑time experience in any field plus one year of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR

A bachelor's degree plus one year of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR

An advanced degree in public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, or English.

Experience Substitution
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience toward the six years of full‑time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours, which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

Job Duties And Other Information
As a Public Information Officer 2, you will be a key voice connecting LDOE with the families, educators, and communities we serve. In this role, you will:

Draft, edit, and distribute public‑facing content—newsletters (including the monthly Early Childhood Connections newsletter), press releases, talking points, memos, FAQs, and internal updates

Create and update LDOE website content, ensuring it is clear, accurate, accessible (WCAG and LDOE standards), and well‑organized

Develop, schedule, and publish social media content aligned with agency priorities, and monitor channels and engagement

Translate technical or policy content into accessible, plain‑language materials for public and educator audiences

Partner with the Office of Early Childhood to identify messaging gaps and develop proactive outreach strategies

Provide support for the LDOE call center and the Ask LDOE Zendesk portal during high‑volume periods, and summarize inquiry trends for leadership

Create basic graphics, photos, and short video clips for digital outreach

Coordinate with program offices, IT, and Communications leadership to keep content accurate, consistent, and on‑brand

Perform routine website audits to identify outdated or missing content and post time‑sensitive updates

Track and report on engagement metrics, flagging emerging topics or misinformation

Position‑Specific Details
Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Job Appointment. The person hired for this position is expected to regularly report to the Baton Rouge office. Current permanent classified state employees may be required to accept a probationary appointment, if selected.

Work Schedule: Work hours are Monday - Friday. Work hours will be determined.

Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience.
Note regarding the advertised pay range: The maximum amounts listed are the maximum salary amounts a person can make over their career and not the maximum amount we are allowed to pay a new hire.

Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer
Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.

Contact Information
Louisiana Department of Education – Human Resources
PO Box 94064
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
ldoejobs@la.gov

Benefits

Insurance Coverage: More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave: Up to six weeks paid parental leave (see https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx)

Holidays and Leave: State employees receive the following paid holidays each year: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Mardi Gras, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor.

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Accrual rates increase with years of service.

Retirement: State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency). These systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries.

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