What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Communications Specialist position at Texas Department of State Health Services?
Date: Feb 12, 2025
Location:
AUSTIN, TX
DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.
Employee Benefits
DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.
Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.
Functional Title: Senior Communications Specialist
Job Title: Information Specialist V
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Communications
Posting Number: 1605
Closing Date: 04/15/2025
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, Media
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24
Salary Range: $5,425.33 - $5,971.83
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Part-Time
Travel: Up to 5%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM)
Other Locations:
MOS Codes
4502,4503,4505,4511,4512,4591,8055,165X,35PX,3N0X6,46A,46S,46Z,INF,MC,PA,SEI13
Brief Job Description
The Senior Communications Specialist performs highly advanced communications work to build the DSHS brand and increase public and stakeholder knowledge and awareness of public health issues. In collaboration with agency programs and outside marketing vendors, this position plans, develops, and implements communication campaigns, public relations efforts, strategies, and programs.
Duties include overseeing creation and distribution of agency publications, public relations materials, news, informational releases, talking points and scripts (including video), fact sheets, and content for websites and social media and effective research, writing, editing, and production in a wide variety of formats, including social media, video, and print, broadcast, or digital media. This role requires strategic thinking, excellent interpersonal skills, ease with executives, high emotional intelligence, and exceptional writing and content development skills.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs)
EJF 1: Provides or coordinates consultation services to program staff regarding public information, public relations, and communications strategies for agency communications, marketing, outreach, and other communication-driven initiatives. Serves as liaison between research and social marketing contractors, programs, and the Communications Unit. Consults with programs to provide consistent messaging. Manages public awareness, outreach, or marketing campaigns during a public health emergency. May provide project management and execution of communication strategies, creative direction (including video production), and written content. (40%)
EJF 2: Oversees the preparation and distribution of agency communications, marketing, outreach, and other communication-driven initiatives. Works with DSHS programs to coordinate messaging related to health education and promotion. Coordinates opportunities to develop and execute communications plans. Coordinates various initiatives, including the master public awareness and marketing research contracts. (30%)
EFJ 3: Supports other Communication Unit functions and activities such as online, interactive, social, and/or emerging media communications, marketing research, social marketing, and internal communications. Supports DSHS Media Relations, Government Affairs, and stakeholder relations units as needed. Ensures all communications products are translated appropriately so Texans have access to services. (15%)
EFJ 4: Collaborate with DSHS Web Services team to ensure information is posted quickly and is accurate, relevant, and informative. (10%)
EJF 5: Other duties as assigned including actively participating in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response or Continuity of Operations which may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (KSAs)
Knowledge of branding and marketing principles; media types and their material requirements as related to information dissemination via the web; libel, slander, privacy, and copyright laws; professional writing principles and standards; stakeholder, partner, and community relations.
Skill in organizing, writing, communication, and presenting information; strategic communication planning; Microsoft Office products; Developing collaborative working relationships with diverse cross-functional groups; Emotional Intelligence; Facilitation with small groups and in challenging environments.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement solutions; Analyze and make decisions; manage programs and track development stages from conceptualization to final product; interpret and translate agency programs and research into public information; conduct presentations to all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications
N/A
Initial Screening Criteria
Candidates invited to an interview will be required to complete an in-basket (Microsoft Word skills test).
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, And Veterans
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.
ADA Accommodations
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.
Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, And Work Eligibility
Location:
AUSTIN, TX
DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.
Employee Benefits
DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.
Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.
Functional Title: Senior Communications Specialist
Job Title: Information Specialist V
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Communications
Posting Number: 1605
Closing Date: 04/15/2025
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, Media
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24
Salary Range: $5,425.33 - $5,971.83
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Part-Time
Travel: Up to 5%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM)
Other Locations:
MOS Codes
4502,4503,4505,4511,4512,4591,8055,165X,35PX,3N0X6,46A,46S,46Z,INF,MC,PA,SEI13
Brief Job Description
The Senior Communications Specialist performs highly advanced communications work to build the DSHS brand and increase public and stakeholder knowledge and awareness of public health issues. In collaboration with agency programs and outside marketing vendors, this position plans, develops, and implements communication campaigns, public relations efforts, strategies, and programs.
Duties include overseeing creation and distribution of agency publications, public relations materials, news, informational releases, talking points and scripts (including video), fact sheets, and content for websites and social media and effective research, writing, editing, and production in a wide variety of formats, including social media, video, and print, broadcast, or digital media. This role requires strategic thinking, excellent interpersonal skills, ease with executives, high emotional intelligence, and exceptional writing and content development skills.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs)
EJF 1: Provides or coordinates consultation services to program staff regarding public information, public relations, and communications strategies for agency communications, marketing, outreach, and other communication-driven initiatives. Serves as liaison between research and social marketing contractors, programs, and the Communications Unit. Consults with programs to provide consistent messaging. Manages public awareness, outreach, or marketing campaigns during a public health emergency. May provide project management and execution of communication strategies, creative direction (including video production), and written content. (40%)
EJF 2: Oversees the preparation and distribution of agency communications, marketing, outreach, and other communication-driven initiatives. Works with DSHS programs to coordinate messaging related to health education and promotion. Coordinates opportunities to develop and execute communications plans. Coordinates various initiatives, including the master public awareness and marketing research contracts. (30%)
EFJ 3: Supports other Communication Unit functions and activities such as online, interactive, social, and/or emerging media communications, marketing research, social marketing, and internal communications. Supports DSHS Media Relations, Government Affairs, and stakeholder relations units as needed. Ensures all communications products are translated appropriately so Texans have access to services. (15%)
EFJ 4: Collaborate with DSHS Web Services team to ensure information is posted quickly and is accurate, relevant, and informative. (10%)
EJF 5: Other duties as assigned including actively participating in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response or Continuity of Operations which may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (KSAs)
Knowledge of branding and marketing principles; media types and their material requirements as related to information dissemination via the web; libel, slander, privacy, and copyright laws; professional writing principles and standards; stakeholder, partner, and community relations.
Skill in organizing, writing, communication, and presenting information; strategic communication planning; Microsoft Office products; Developing collaborative working relationships with diverse cross-functional groups; Emotional Intelligence; Facilitation with small groups and in challenging environments.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement solutions; Analyze and make decisions; manage programs and track development stages from conceptualization to final product; interpret and translate agency programs and research into public information; conduct presentations to all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications
N/A
Initial Screening Criteria
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in communications or a closely related field. Experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the four-year degree.
- A minimum of two years’ experience in communications development or project and account management.
- Experience with strategic communications planning, public relations, campaign, account, or project management.
- Experience planning, developing, and/or implementing communication strategies and programs.
- Experience researching, writing, editing, and/or producing content in a wide variety of formats (print, digital video, social media).
Candidates invited to an interview will be required to complete an in-basket (Microsoft Word skills test).
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, And Veterans
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.
ADA Accommodations
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.
Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, And Work Eligibility
- The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
- Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
- DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form
Salary : $5,425 - $5,972
