Information and Communication Specialist II

AgencyDept of Health and Human ServicesDivisionR J Blackley Alcohol , Drug Trt CtrJob Classification TitleInformation & Communications Spec II (NS)Position Number60047876GradeNC13About UsThe North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.Description Of WorkThis position provides comprehensive communications, operational, and event‑coordination support for the RHTP program. The role includes developing public information and public relations strategies in partnership with the RHTP Director, executive leadership, and the DHHS Communications Team, as well as participating in departmental communications meetings to ensure alignment with policies and practices. The position helps frame program responses, coordinates with the DHHS Communications Office on media inquiries, and ensures the RHTP website and related materials are accurate, current, and compliant with DHHS requirements. Responsibilities also include drafting, editing, and proofreading a variety of communication documents, researching and updating content, and preparing materials such as presentations, documents, spreadsheets, SharePoint pages, and website content. In addition, the role manages all aspects of planning, executing, and following up on both virtual and in‑person events, including stakeholder engagement sessions, committee meetings, public hearings, listening sessions, bidders’ conferences, and staff meetings. Tasks involve coordinating speakers, securing event dates and venues, arranging accessibility services such as ASL or Spanish-speaking support, creating meeting links, preparing and distributing invitations, and tracking RSVPs and participation.Knowledge Skills And Abilities/Management PreferencesSalary Grade Range: $50,088.00 - $87,654.00 Recruitment Range: $50,088.00 - $66,304.00 Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:Knowledge of the Rural Health Transformation Program, DHHS programs and services, NC Medicaid and managed care and health care delivery systems (primary care, behavioral health and dental), rural health landscape, including strength and needs, rural health infrastructure and workforceConsiderable knowledge of journalistic, communication, and/or publication principles and practices including AP styleConsiderable knowledge of the techniques for disseminating information to the public through a variety of news mediaConsiderable knowledge of the methods and techniques of planning, writing, and editing contentAbility to collect and prepare material for speeches and adapt tone for different audiencesThe Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End DateThe Position Is Time-Limited This Role Is Eligible To Be Hybrid And Requires Onsite Reporting Located Within Raleigh, NCAbout The Office Of The SecretaryThe Office of the Secretary serves as the executive leadership arm of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), guiding the Department’s mission to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians. Through strategic oversight and collaborative leadership, the Secretary’s Office supports the effective coordination of over a dozen core divisions, ensuring that agency-wide priorities are aligned, resources are used responsibly, and services are delivered with equity and impact.About The Office Of Rural HealthThe North Carolina Office of Rural Health (ORH) became the first State Office of Rural Health in the nation in 1973. The ORH was created to focus on the needs of rural and underserved communities and continues to empower communities and populations by developing strategies to improve quality and cost-effectiveness of health care for all. While ORH does not provide direct care, its programs support numerous health care safety net organizations throughout the state. Continued support and recurring funding for ORH strengthened North Carolina’s health care safety net infrastructure to ensure that all of the state’s medically vulnerable residents (Uninsured, Underinsured, Medicare and Medicaid) have access to affordable and appropriate high quality primary care. It is a conservative estimate that the State’s primary care safety net system serves 1.1 million vulnerable residents.Compensation And BenefitsThe State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for State BenefitsSupplemental Contact Information The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.Application ProcessBe sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM the night BEFORE the closing date.Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. Degree/College Credit VerificationDegrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.Veterans’ and National Guard PreferenceApplicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.ADA AccommodationsConsistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, etc.) indicated below.Contact InformationIf there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.Minimum Education And ExperienceSome state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, media journalism, English, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in communications, public relations, or publicity workOR An equivalent combination of education and experienceEEO StatementThe State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.RecruiterDreisa Yvonne JohnsonEmailtalentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov