SECRETARY OF STATE (DEPT OF STATE)

Address: 1700 W. Washington St. | Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary:  70k - 80k (Depending on Experience)

Grade: 24

The Communications Manager plays a key role in supporting the Communications Director in managing all agency communications aligned with Secretary of State's mission. This position will serve to ensure long-term communication planning is maintained and regularly updated. Additionally, the Communications Manager will collaborate closely with the Multimedia Specialist to ensure all marketing, creative, and design content align with the agency's branding and marketing goals. This position is ideal for a dynamic and strategic communicator who thrives in a fast-paced public service environment.

• Assist the Communications Director in answering all inquiries and interviews from state, local, national, and trade media.
• Identify information to be made public and determine best methods to accomplish this; develop short- and long-term strategic plans to maximize exposure and adapt as situations, technology, and media changes that the Multimedia Specialist will assist on.
• Provide information to the public through press releases, media advisories, and telephonic communications about the SOS responsibilities and activities.
• Approve creation and maintenance of project documentation and databases.
• Ensure technical quality and adherence to creative standards on all content.
• Review all final content prior to final approval from Communications Director.
  

Knowledge:
-Must have experience interacting all types of media - whether broadcast, print, new, and social media - in order to effectively disseminate the message of the SOS.
-Knowledge of public information laws and practices and local, state, and federal levels.
-Must know how to write press releases, media advisories, prepare press kits, and briefing materials.
-Must develop substantive knowledge of the function and activities of the SOS and how best to create public facing content.

Skills:
-Must have excellent writing and content creation skills
-Must be able to learn evolving technology to continue to effectively disseminate information in keeping up with emerging communications trends. Such technology could include new distribution programs, website management, and social media.
-Must be able to develop positive relationships with members of the media.

Abilities:
-Must exercise good judgment to determine what information or activities should be publicized or not be made public and determine the best way to present the information.
-The positions also require an ability to develop strong professional relationships with members of the media SOS staff.

-A bachelor's degree (or higher) in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or closely related field.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will contribute to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27-week wait period for contributions to begin.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.