Introduction
The Maryland Department of Labor Office of the Secretary of Labor is seeking a Communications Officer who is committed to public service and passionate about our mission: to connect Marylanders to good jobs; protect workers, consumers, and the public; support Maryland businesses; and foster economic growth and competitiveness. The communications officer will handle a broad range of internal and external communications needs. They will report to the director of communications and partner closely with divisions across the agency.
This role includes writing and editing responsibilities, such as developing leadership talking points for interviews and events and drafting all-staff messages, news clip emails, and newsletters. It also includes substantial work in social media, visual assets, and brand management, such as content planning, development, editing, coordination, posting, engagement, analytics, and strategy.
The successful candidate will offer a combination of creative and technical skills, including the ability to communicate complex topics in plain language and with accessible, engaging visuals. Close attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment are required.
GRADE
18
LOCATION OF POSITION
Office of the Secretary
100 S. Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Main Purpose of Job
The main purpose of this position is to (1) manage social media content development,
posting, constituent engagement, and metrics for all social media channels for MD Labor
and to inform and implement social media strategy; (2) produce internal communications,
such as all-staff emails, press clips emails, and newsletters; (3) write and edit leadership
briefing materials and talking points for events, scripts, speeches, and media interviews; (4)
guide effective visual asset and brand management; and (5) coordinate communications
work with the communications professionals and teams in each of MD Labor’s divisions.
The professional in this role will also represent the Director of Communications when
needed.
POSITION DUTIES
Duties of this position include but are not limited to:
Manage MD Labor’s social media presence across all current and future
social media platforms where MD Labor maintains accounts to
promote the work of the agency with the public. This includes creating
original content, editing and coordinating content from MD Labor Divisions, managing a social media calendar, publishing posts,
responding to comments and direct messages, managing analytics, and
informing and implementing MD Labor’s social media strategy and
policies.
Produce (research, write, and edit) internal communications, such as
all-staff emails, daily news clip emails, and newsletters. This includes
materials requested by and for the Secretary of Labor and other senior
leaders in the Department of Labor.
Support the Communications Director in writing and editing leadership
briefing materials and talking points for events, scripts, speeches, and
media interviews—at the direction of the Secretary of Labor and other
senior leaders—and support media relations.
Manage visual and brand assets, including a digital library of photos,
videos, and logo files; assist in developing new agency policies to
manage these assets; and guide the effective and consistent use of these
assets across MD Labor Divisions. Capture high-quality photos and
video for use in MD Labor communications.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: Six years of administrative staff or professional work.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures, and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher-ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.
- A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, writing, digital media, marketing, or a related field, or equivalent work experience, or a combination thereof.
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
- Skill with writing in a range of formats.
- Skill with photography and videography for the purpose of social media posting and use in other digital communications.
- At least two years in a communications-related field, focused on producing written and visual content (e.g., website content, social media, articles, speeches, talking points).
- Solid experience with and confidence in using social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Spout); design and editing tools (e.g., Canva, Photoshop, InDesign); and social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, X).
- Knowledge of best practices and current trends in digital communications.
If you receive an interview invitation, you must provide two writing samples to bring with you, which are as follows:
- One should be a writing sample of 400–800 words in a news article or blog post format.
- The other should be a social media sample you have developed for any platform, as long as it includes both a caption and a visual (e.g., graphic, photo, video). Please include with the social media sample a brief description of your goal and strategy for the post, as well as if it was successful and how you define that success.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
All candidates are subject to a background check against files maintained by the Division of Unemployment Insurance (Labor/DUI) to determine whether any monies are owed to Labor/DUI as result of unemployment insurance overpayment/fraud. Any unpaid debt may have an impact on whether or not a candidate is offered employment.
SELECTION PROCESS
All information concerning the qualifications, including any required documentation (diploma, transcript, certificate, etc.), must be submitted and received by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be considered. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year. Applications that meet minimum and/or selective qualifications will be referred to the hiring unit for interview selection. Units will select those candidates most closely demonstrating the qualifications for interview.
A resume and cover letter are strongly encouraged for this position. Please upload one Word or PDF file that includes your combined cover letter and resume using the "Transcript" upload function or via the JobAps "Other" tab.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The examination for this recruitment will be an evaluation and rating of the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is essential that the application is filled out completely and accurately, listing all relevant education and experience, addressing the specific qualifications shown above and submitting any required documentation (diploma, transcript, certification, license, etc.). Please include clear, detailed, and specific information on your application regarding experience qualifications related to the minimum qualifications, desired, and/or selective qualifications of the position.
BENEFITS
This is a full-time, permanent position and eligible for full state benefits, which include:
- Flexible hours and hybrid teleworking
- Paid holidays 12-13 per year
- Generous paid leave package (annual, sick, personal and compensatory leave)
- State Pension ("defined benefits" plan)
- Tax-deferred supplemental retirement savings plan (401(k) and 457).
- Comprehensive, subsidized health, dental, and prescription plans with little to no deductibles, free generic prescriptions, and free preventative health services.
- Flexible Spending Accounts Plans for Health Care and Daycare.
- State Employees Credit Union.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application is strongly preferred. However, if you are unable to apply online or having difficulty with your login or password, please contact DBM's Helpdesk directly at (410) 767-4850 (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily, except for holidays and weekends). After business hours, please submit an email request to Application.Help@maryland.gov. If you encounter difficulty attaching required or optional documentation, you may submit via mail or deliver in person. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.
We thank our veterans for their service to our country and encourage them to apply. If you are seeking a veteran's preference, please submit a copy of your DD-214.
The paper application must be received by 5 pm, close of business; on the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.
PLEASE DO NOT FAX OR EMAIL UNSOLICITED DOCUMENTATION.
Completed applications, required documentation, and any required addendums may be mailed to:
Maryland Department of Labor/Office of Administration
Attn: Ernestine Hyman 25-002588-0004
100 S. Charles Street, 5th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201
For additional information, please contact Ernestine Hyman at 410-230-6298 or via email at ernestine.hyman1@maryland.gov.
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
The MD State Application Form can be found online.
Maryland Department of Labor is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of LABOR that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.