Requisition No: 836974
Agency: Agriculture and Consumer Services
Working Title: COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST III - 42001222
Pay Plan: Career Service
Position Number: 42001222
Salary: $39,000.00 - $42,900.00
Posting Closing Date: 09/18/2024
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST III
(CLASS TITILE: INFORMATION SPECAILIST III)
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
DIVISION OF PLANT INDUSTRY
***OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY***
CONTACT:
Christina Chitty, (352) 395-4779, Christina.Chitty@FDACS.gov
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of professional experience in news reporting, editing, public relations, public information, advertising, marketing, mass communications or journalism.
A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in communications or English can substitute for one year of the required experience.
Professional or nonprofessional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.
Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
EDUCATIONAL NOTE: Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained.Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency. A list of approved agencies can be viewed at “Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies, Florida Department of Education.” Approved Credential Evaluation Agencies (fldoe.org)
***ATTENTION CANDIDATES***
To be considered for a position with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:
- All fields in the Candidate Profile must be completed (an attached resume is not a substitution for the information required on the candidate profile).
- Work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education fields, etc. must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position.
- Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services values
and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified
individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Frequent travel required.
JOB DUTIES:
General Statement: This position serves as a public information specialist posted in the field.
Publication Development:
Research, conceptualize, write, and edit information and materials (technical, scientific and creative documents, fact sheets, press releases, presentations, brochures, displays/exhibits, etc.) about division programs and initiatives for distribution to stakeholders including the general public, elected officials, community organizations, the media, and the agriculture industry.
Public Outreach:
Lead public information and community outreach projects, attending special community events (science fairs, tradeshows, school activities, etc.) and providing information to the public on division programs.
Maintain an event calendar, tabling and/or presenting at events.
Schedule the division’s participation in community outreach events.
Stakeholder Communications:
Support division by serving as a conduit with the public to help resolve disputes which may hinder program success.
Serve as Public Information Officer on emergency programs.
Pursue and maintain relationships with other agricultural related entities (University of Florida/Insitute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, United States Department of Agriculture, conservation groups, etc.) to leverage outreach opportunities and share resources.
Multimedia Support:
Support the division’s outreach and social media campaigns by developing written content, recording audio and video content, contributing to the blog and taking photos.
Serve as backup for the Social Media manager with blogs, podcast and other informational outreach online.
Assist the helpline with the resolution of inquiries including researching issues and writing correspondence.
Assist the Public Information Director with special projects, community forums, media inquiries and other various speaking events .
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of the principles and techniques of public information and mass communication.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others within the division and department as well as outside, especially the media and industry representatives.
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:
- Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
- Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year;
- State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options;
- Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please visit www.myfrs.com;)
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
- Tuition waivers;
And more!
For a complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
For an estimate of the total compensation package for this position, please visit the “Total Compensation Estimator Tool” located above under the “Posting Closing Date.”
SPECIAL NOTES:
The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.