Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager within the Division of Public Affairs, the Public Relations and Content Specialist supports the planning, development, coordination and implementation of strategic communications, media relations, public information, and marketing initiatives that advance the mission, priorities, and programs of the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS). The position serves as the primary communications partner supporting the Human Services portfolio, providing communications leadership, planning, consultation, and execution support to increase public awareness, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and promote agency programs, services, and initiatives across multiple channels.
• Working collaboratively with division leadership, program staff, subject matter experts, and the Senior Communications Manager, the Specialist develops and implements integrated communications plans, public awareness campaigns, media outreach strategies, marketing initiatives, and content calendars that support divisional and agency-wide priorities.
• The Specialist identifies communications priorities, opportunities, and challenges; develops communications goals, key messages, and audience strategies; and translates complex policy, programmatic, operational, and data-driven information into clear, accurate, and audience-focused communications products.
• The position leads message development, strategic framing, content planning, and communications execution while ensuring information is communicated effectively, consistently, and in alignment with agency priorities and communications best practices.
• Responsibilities include creating written, digital, print, web, and multimedia content; coordinating communications deliverables across multiple projects; ensuring brand consistency and message alignment; and evaluating communications effectiveness.
• Serving as a communications representative on internal and external committees, project teams, and cross-functional workgroups, the Specialist provides strategic communications counsel, identifies emerging issues and opportunities, and facilitates coordination between program and communications functions to support proactive, timely, and effective communications for diverse audiences.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic communications, public relations, media relations, and marketing principles and practices.
• Considerable experience in communications planning, campaign development, audience segmentation, and message strategy, and applying content development best practices across print, digital, web, social media, and multimedia platforms.
• Professional knowledge of plain language, inclusive communications, and accessibility principles for public-facing content.
• Proficient in copywriting, editing, and proofreading clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate communications materials.
• Considerable experience in translating complex policy, programmatic, operational, and data-driven information into concise, compelling, and understandable content.
• Skilled in project management, prioritization, and coordination of multiple communications stakeholders, initiatives and deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with leadership, program staff, subject matter experts, and cross-functional teams while exercising sound independent judgment and providing strategic communications counsel.
• Knowledge of current communications, public relations, and integrated marketing strategies, principles, and best practices.
• Knowledge of multimedia, interactive, electronic, and social media communications tools and platforms.
• Knowledge of content management systems (CMS) and search engine optimization (SEO) principles and practices.

Preferred

• Additional Considerations: Experience leading enterprise-level strategic communications initiatives with measurable outcomes, including developing integrated campaigns, advising executive leadership, and using audience insights and performance metrics to optimize communications effectiveness.

Benefits

• In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDSS offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching – Employee Benefits.