OCACS Communications Director - Marketing & Communications Specialist IV

Responsibilities

• This position exists to manage OCACS communications and special projects relative to internal programs and divisions.
• Plans and designs communication strategies and goals that support and align with Department, Office, and Division goals.
• Developing marketing communications, advertising, education, and promotional materials and courses that communicate programmatic initiatives, OCACS, and Department information that needs to be communicated to internal and external stakeholders.
• Helps the Department’s central Communications Office with Department-wide initiatives and special projects upon request.
• Responsible for drafting and editing written work products from the OCACS to include: budget requests, department-wide communications (both written and verbal), and OCACS and other Department-wide policies.
• Supervises and ensures all recruitment, outreach, and retention efforts are coordinated and aligned to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect and the need for foster and adoptive families.
• Develops communication strategies and goals that support program, Division and Agency goals and ensure that the communication unit’s goals are met annually.
• Communications - develops and implements OCACS Communications strategies and initiatives, including website and social media initiatives.
• Leading, designing, and implementing state’s official public awareness campaign to report child abuse and neglect, including messages about preventing child abuse and neglect, knowing the signs of abuse and neglect, and becoming a foster and adoptive parent.
• Develops annual OCACS communication plan outlining communication strategies and goals.

Requirements

• Seven (7) years of relevant experience in developing organizational communications strategies across a variety of platforms, while managing multiple projects.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience managing marketing campaigns, with knowledge of budgeting, campaign tracking and Media/public relations experience including proactive pitching, drafting of media advisories, press releases and media responses; as well as media training leaders in preparation of media engagements.
• Experience writing and producing content for a variety of audiences in a manner that is culturally relevant and accessible to all.
• A combination of related education in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, Public Policy and/or relevant experience in developing organizational communications strategies across a variety of platforms, while managing multiple projects.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience managing marketing campaigns, with knowledge of budgeting, campaign tracking and Media/public relations experience including proactive pitching, drafting of media advisories, press releases and media responses; as well as media training leaders in preparation of media engagements.
• Experience writing and producing content for a variety of audiences in a manner that is culturally relevant and accessible to all equal to seven (7) years
• Special Qualifications: Experience with Communications strategy development and implementation, development of high-quality written work product in multiple media formats, Graphic Design, policy analysis and editing.
• Standard Background Check: ALL CDHS employees (non-direct contact): CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Driver’s license)
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position
• Travel: Travels throughout the state, with occasional overnight travel, to meet with OAS programs located outside of the Denver Metro area.

Preferred

• An advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, public policy or a related field.

Benefits

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions