Title: Public Information Officer

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Spec IV

Hiring Range: $75,643-$87,000

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice

Location: Central Office

Agency Website: www.djj.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) protects the public by preparing court-involved youth to be successful citizens. DJJ is committed to excellence in public safety by providing effective interventions that improve the lives of youth, strengthening both families and communities within the Commonwealth.

DJJ is seeking a Public Information Officer who will coordinate and provide public relations services that positively and proactively represent the department's mission, vision, goals, programs, achievements, and needs.

Responsibilities included:

• Prepares speeches, news releases, reports and other communications promoting the Department's positive image for use by the agency Director and Chief Deputy Director.
  
• Observes and analyzes positions and actions of various special interest groups to assess impact to the Department.
  
• Coordinates public information functions with DJJ staff and external contacts.
  
• Responds to requests for information received through the Department's internet website in a positive and timely manner.
  
• Supplies both periodic and requested information on agency activities.
  
• Authors scripts or narratives for departmental communications.
  
• Serves as chief spokesperson for the agency Director and Chief Deputy Director and the department.
  
• Promotes the positive public image of the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) through effective use of information which supports the Department's vision, mission, and goals.
  
• Researches, writes, and edits fact sheets, directories for public relations purposes, and provides photographs, video recordings, and other audio-visual materials.
  
• Coordinates with DJJ units to write content for use on the agency’s intranet, social media platforms, website, etc.
  
• Familiarity with and ability to apply Associated Press Style to written communications.
  
• Establishes and maintains positive working relationships with representatives of newspapers, news bureaus, national and state magazines and radio.
  
• Ensures media responses are accurate and are released on a timely basis.
  
• Excellent oral and written communications and customer service skills in addition to strong creative problem-solving and analytic capabilities to manage complex and/or controversial public relations.
  
• Experience providing live event coverage, including social media updates, photography, and audience engagement.
  
• Regularly contributes content to DJJ’s social media platforms.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of public relations management, communications principles/practices and publishing, marketing principles and research methodology.
  
• Some knowledge of facilities and programs of the criminal justice system.
  
• Working skill in the use of personal computers utilizing desktop publishing applications as a public relations tool.
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead group activities; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and to effectively interact with decision-makers in governmental organizations, corporations, and foundations; and to effectively author proposals and reports.
  

Additional Considerations

• Training and/or equivalent experience in mass communications, journalism, English, marketing, or a related field.
  
• Extensive experience in journalism, broadcasting, public relations, advertising, or related field.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Lay off Policy 1.3: If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

DJJ Welcomes Veterans: DJJ is committed to hiring and retaining veterans. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application. Please include your name and the position number in which you are applying along with the DD-214.

Supplemental Questions: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information may help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Status Updates/Confirmation: Once you submit your online application, you will instantly receive an application confirmation number. You may use this number to track the status of your application during the recruitment process. Please refer to your account for the status of your application. Updates will not be provided via telephone.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Department of Juvenile Justice practices fair and equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Contact Information

Name: Bianca D. Stewart Williams, Talent Acquisition Consultant

Phone: 804-588-4410

Email: djjrecruit@djj.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.