Public Relations Specialist III Position Available In Hinds, Mississippi

Public Relations Specialist III Mississippi Department of Human Services 200 South Lamar Street, Jackson, MS 39201 Job Overview The Media Relations Manager (MRM) is responsible for executing a public relations function for the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The MRM is a critical part of MDHS’s overall integrated marketing and communication strategy. The incumbent helps to create and maintain MDHS’s positive public voice, identity, and image. They report to the Deputy Communications Officer (DCO). The role will collaborate with other stakeholders to achieve MDHS’s goals and objectives. Working with other communications team members, the MRM will be responsible for a significant amount of written content, focusing on telling the most compelling stories of the people and programs supported by MDHS. You will also assist the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) with:

• publishing print media projects for the agency (i.e., handbooks, guides, forms, special publications, etc.);
• writing press releases and other agency communications;
• maintaining and updating all agency media contacts;
• editing printed and online materials;
• formulating and maintaining the agency’s Public Relations strategies;
• building presentation packets as needed,
• and helping to coordinate agency special events.

You will also write, edit, and publish compelling human interest stories that support and compliment graphic and video productions. The ability to gather sound bites from raw interviews to craft a story together is essential.

Competency:

• Candidates are required to have strong written and verbal skills
• Active and critical listening skills are necessary.
• A high level of organization and problem-solving skills.
• Creates and implements a culture of collaboration and innovation across all disciplines through active listening and critical thinking.
• Manages and utilizes analytics software for metrics and optimization to identify opportunities to improve audience experience and provide proactive media responses to current events.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Suite, Microsoft 365 (Word, Sharepoint, etc…), and Smartsheet.

Responsibilities:

Writing

• Writing and publishing accurate and effective press releases, human interest stories, brochures/promotional materials, social media, and website pages, including regular updates of all products;
• Content writer and initial editor for all agency internal and external communications;
• Creating and maintaining a media relations and social media plan to support overall agency messaging and relationships in coordination with other members of the Communications team and with other divisions;
• Ensure that all communication is cohesive with MDHS’s brand image;
• Developing public relations strategies to highlight MDHS’s mission, vision, and values for external and internal audiences Public Relations
• Providing responses to information requests from the media as coordinated with the CCO;
• Assisting the DCO and CCO in developing and researching relationships with community organizations, governmental agencies, and other external audiences to enhance MDHS’s awareness of the communities and populations that the agency serves.
• Developing and maintaining a series of outreach efforts, including town halls, newsletters and events to connect to key audiences, (elected officials, community leaders, and county and municipal officials, etc.), in coordination with the DCO and CCO, including updates provided to the Communications team on a monthly basis;
• Providing regular updates (at least quarterly) to media outreach database, contact lists, media releases, and social media plans;
• Research external relationships with outside constituencies for CCO and agency use to share newsletters and resources with community leaders, advocates, and government agencies;
• Serve as an informed associate to help build relationships with clients, vendors, partners, officials, etc.
• Maintain email list of community influencers, elected officials, and agency heads; in concert with Communications team, develop strategies for email and town hall for engagement to MDHS programs and services Analytics
• Monitoring public perception and opinion of the agency and its activities through the use of social media, surveys, polls, and Google, and adjusting and implementing communications action plans based on appropriate analytics;
• Analyzing media coverage to determine message effectiveness and current conversations;

Experience/Educational Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in English, Public Relations, Communications, Journalism, or a related field. 2-4 years experience in a Public Relations or Public Affairs role preferred.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$66,944.47 – $70,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Schedule:

8 hour shift Monday to Friday Ability to

Commute:

Jackson, MS 39201 (Required) Ability to

Relocate:

Jackson, MS 39201: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location:

In person