Communications Specialist
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.
About the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (ICHE):
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) collaborates with multiple partners to facilitate Indiana’s goal to provide quality college degrees and credentials. We are driven to improve economic and social mobility and prosperity for our fellow Hoosiers and strengthen human capital through the opportunities and possibilities of education. These goals are supported through college-going, college completion, and graduate retention efforts focusing on opportunity gaps, college value, state financial aid, data collection, and other initiatives. Learn more about our work at www.in.gov/che.
Salary:
The salary range is $45,000 to $60,000 commensurate with education and job experience.
Role Overview:
The Communications Specialist supports the Communications Director and the Marketing and Communications team. You will assist in executing and monitoring communications strategies for the agency, specifically in coordinating, preparing, and supporting the Commissioner at community events and speaking engagements. Additional duties include contributing to press releases, newsletters, and serving as a backup to the Communications Director for media relations coordination, executive staff, or other departments.
Interested candidates should provide a cover letter and resume.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are:
- Research, draft, and write a variety of talking points, statements, and speeches for the Commissioner.
- Draft, review, and edit news releases, media advisories, newsletters, correspondence, articles, and other written content.
- Work closely with the Commissioner's Executive Assistant to coordinate speaking engagements, events, and high-priority meetings.
- Support the Communications Director and the agency's executive staff through communications, public relations, and media relations needs.
- Measure and evaluate the effectiveness of the agency’s communications efforts by tracking media coverage and news clippings, and regularly updates the Commissioner and staff on relevant media coverage.
- Work with the Communications Director, Commissioner, and Executive Assistant to analyze messaging alignment, adapting and modifying content based on feedback.
- With the Communications Director, identify opportunities to pitch stories and speakers to the media.
- Support the Commissioner's daily social media channels, including regular posting and coverage of events and speaking engagements.
- Assist the Communications Director to plan, organize, and coordinate news conferences and other special events.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
What You'll Need for Success:
- A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or related area is required, and three (3) years of relevant work experience in higher education, government, media relations, or related area.
- Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
- Excellent listening, information processing, and synthesizing skills.
- Ability to work as part of a collaborative team.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously and to thrive in a fast-paced, high-profile work environment.
- Sound time management skills, self-motivated, and detail-oriented with the ability to give and receive feedback.
- Strong computer literacy, including word processing and related office productivity software.
- Willingness and ability to travel 25% of the time.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid new parent leave
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected].
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
