Our Ability Jobs

Working Title: Communications specialist

Job Class: Communications Specialist 3

Agency: Public Safety Dept

• Job ID : 77708

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes - three days a week dependent on the business needs of the BCA

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers. DPS employees eligible to bid (permanent, classified employees in the same job and class) should apply through self-service and confirm their bid by emailing dama.abuta@state.mn.us by 07/02/24

• Date Posted : 06/26/2024

• Closing Date : 07/08/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Public Safety Dept / Public Safety-MAPE

• Division/Unit : Office of Communication

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift/ 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $30.55 - $45.02 / hourly; $63,788 - $94,001 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position will be used to fill up to two vacancies

This position determines priorities and objectives for the management of day-to-day media relations, crisis communications and communications issues for the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) including the BCA’s Force Investigations Unit, which investigates officer-involved use-of-force incidents in Minnesota upon the request of a local jurisdiction.

As a strategic communications expert, this role involves developing messages, providing information on public safety issues and services to the public, and interacting with state, national, and international media on sensitive or life-or-death issues. The position also serves as a senior communications advisor to assigned divisions and programs, and to DPS as a whole when needed.

The position will be responsible for crisis communications as well as creating, executing and maintaining media and communications strategies and tactics for DPS. The position exists to ensure that media and communications strategies enhance the reputation of assigned divisions and programs, mitigate the impact of critical issues, and informs the public of critical information from assigned divisions.

The position determines priorities and objectives and manages strategic oversight and direction for assigned divisions and programs to promote, support and enhance the image, goals, mission and vision of DPS. This position also will plan and implement complex communication plans ensuring efforts are effective and reach almost every Minnesotan.

The position is responsible for managing media and communications strategies and recommending the use of social media and digital platforms to maximize the reach of assigned divisions and programs messaging. This position works closely with law enforcement partners across Minnesota as well as the DPS communications director, deputy communications director and division leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month, day and year for each job held.

• Three years of professional experience in strategic communication planning and crisis communications

• Strong writing skills and an understanding of accepted journalistic and AP style

• An understanding of traditional and social media including both earned and paid media

• Knowledge of photography, videography and graphics

• Ability to work cooperatively with individuals from diverse backgrounds

*A Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Journalism, English or another related field may substitute for 1 year of experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree

• Experience recommending or implementing communications plans for community engagement and outreach

• Professional experience in managing and writing for multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X

• Strong research skills and ability to translate complicated topics or research into easy-to-understand and engaging content

Physical Requirements

Requires occasionally moving and transporting such articles as file folders and small tools. May need to maintain a stationary position for long periods of time while carrying out job duties.

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of the Department of Public Safety that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment, includes the following components:

1) Criminal history

2) Reference check

3) Drug screen

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.