At the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, we are passionate about creating a positive, professional, and supportive work environment where we value our differences and are committed to being open and respectful to all our employees and the public we serve. Our department provides the connections, expertise and innovative solutions to drive continued business growth, build vibrant communities, create affordable housing, generate tourism and attract and retain key talent to fill Michigan’s vast pipeline of opportunities. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/LEO.
As the LEO-Employment and Training (LEO-E&T) Communications Specialist, the position manages all aspects of external communications and serves as the Public Information Officer. This specialist is responsible for highly complex assignments, with considerable impact on public perception and overall awareness across Michigan citizens, partners and stakeholders. The Communication Specialist collaborates proactively with leadership and subject matter experts throughout LEO-E&T daily, as well as with external partners and stakeholders accordingly, to identify the need for, develop and execute communications strategies and plans that cover public relations, media relations and partner/stakeholder communications. Responsibilities include tracking, measuring and reporting goal attainment of all communications strategies and plans. The specialist is expected to build and maintain extensive knowledge regarding all LEO-E&T programs and proactively communicate across any medium in the appropriate style and voice – including for executive-level leadership. The specialist also serves as the primary writer and copy editor for LEO-E&T’s press releases, websites, publications, promotional materials, presentations and talking points. The specialist is also expected to stay current with best practices and emerging trends in strategic communications and proactively make recommendations to LEO-E&T accordingly.
Position Description Summary (Download PDF reader)
There is a possibility of a remote/hybrid schedule based on performance and operational need. However, all work must be performed in Michigan. If you currently reside outside of Michigan, you must relocate to Michigan to perform the duties of this position.
Employment and Training Careers page
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, broadcasting, telecommunications, advertising, communication arts, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
Experience
Four years of professional experience in the communications field equivalent to a Communications Representative, including two years equivalent to a Communications Representative P11 or one year equivalent to a Communications Representative 12.
Please attach a cover letter, detailed resume, and your official college transcript(s) to your application. For our purposes, "official college transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred, date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal. A scanned or electronic copy is acceptable, if it contains the elements listed above. The college/university does not have to send the transcript directly to LEO. For more information regarding official transcripts, click here (Download PDF reader).
Applicants who possess a degree from a foreign college or university must have their academic credentials evaluated or converted into U.S. educational equivalents unless the degree has been recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Go to evaluators for a list of accepted organizations that evaluate foreign credentials. Failure to provide this evaluation at the time of application may result in you being screened out of the process.
Please attach the following communications-based work samples to your application:-
Campaign content
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Press release
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Content to an external audience
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Talking points
Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.
All classified employees are subject to Civil Service Rule 2-8 Ethical Standards and Conduct and will be expected to disclose any personal and financial interests that may conflict with official duties as a classified employee.
All newly hired state employees are required to submit and pass a pre-employment drug test prior to their actual appointment. Certain positions within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity may also require state criminal, fingerprint-based and driving record background checks. Any position offer will be conditional until results of the background checks and drug test indicate eligibility for employment.
The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Applications must be submitted through NEOGOV. If you have questions or need assistance uploading and/or attaching your documents, please contact the NEOGOV applicant support at 855-524-5627.
Salary for this position is entirely federally funded. Under federal law an employee whose salary is entirely federally funded may not be a candidate for public office in a partisan election.
View the entire job specification at: https://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdcs/JOBSPECS/C/CommunicationsSpecialist.pdf (Download PDF reader)
