Director of Education and Communications

Do you have extensive communications and public speaking experience?  Are you a communications, public relations and/or education professional who would like to pursue such fields in public service?  If so, we encourage you to apply!

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Freedom of Information Commission's (FOIC) mission is to administer and enforce the provisions of the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act, and to thereby ensure citizen access to the records and meetings of public agencies in the State of Connecticut. We do this by providing guidance to both the public, and public officials, on the rights and responsibilities set forth in the Freedom of Information Act; conducting educational training sessions; mediating disputes on access to public records and meetings; adjudicating citizen complaints alleging denials of access to public records and meetings; and defending the Commission in litigation involving court appeals of its decisions.

We are recruiting for a full-time, State Program Manager to function in the role of DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION and COMMUNICATIONS to direct agency education programs and activities and other related functions.  This position works Monday - Friday, and is located at 165 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, CT.  NOTE:  Under the general supervision of the Executive Director, the individual in this role:

• Develops comprehensive long and short-term goals and objectives which support educational initiatives and agency mission; 
• Works with agency’s general counsel to maintain legal sufficiency of education programs; explains complex and technical laws and regulations in language understandable to lay persons and officials; 
• Coordinates educational program activities with designated agency liaisons throughout state government; coordinates educational program activities with local government agencies, state and local public officials and citizens; 
• Conducts educational training for various audiences, including the public, public officials and the media;
• Designs and manages delivery of online educational programs; 
• Coordinates, plans and manages communications, public relations, marketing, advertising and public information activities; 
• Formulates program strategies, goals and objectives to align with agency mission; 
• Develops and implements communications and related policies and procedures; 
• Serves as agency spokesperson to media, along with the executive director; 
• Provides expertise to agency staff in handling media and in information delivery and response;
• Oversees or directly prepares and distributes informational, public relations and marketing materials using a variety of media; 
• Prepares press releases; conducts research and maintains statistics on agency projects and programs; 
• Assists with management of agency website content;
• Assists executive director and/or legislative director in promotion of agency legislative initiatives; 
• May monitor progress of agency-sponsored legislation as well as other legislation that will impact the agency; 
• Prepares reports, including an Annual Report, and agency minutes, as necessary; 
• Coordinates programs and activities related to paper and electronic disclosure systems; 
• May oversee agency records retention program; and,
• Performs related duties as required.

NOTE:  This position may require frequent in-state travel.  

We offer a comprehensive health and benefits package and encourage a great work-life balance.  Watch the video below to see how YOU can make an ImpaCT as a state employee:

Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.  State employees currently holding the above title or those who have previously attained permanent status in the class may apply for a lateral transfer. 

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  Please ensure that your application is complete prior to submitting.  NOTE:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, supervisory references, attendance records, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  charla.vincent@ct.gov.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQ’s) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications, including your SPAM/JUNK folders. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements and preferred qualifications of the position.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

In addition, this position:

Performs the most complex duties in the area of promotional, informational and educational services; designs, develops and maintains communications through a variety of media, including the web; coordinates communication workflow; determines priorities, assigns and reviews work; establishes and maintains communications procedures; provides staff training and assistance; conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding communication policies and procedures; provides technical assistance to agency managers regarding communications; performs related duties as required.