Who We Are And What We Do

The Tennessee Department of Correction operates and oversees 14 adult prisons across the state, housing some 21,000 offenders. In the community, TDOC supervises 79,000 offenders on probation, parole, or community corrections. The department operates 44 probation/parole offices in 13 districts across the state. The Communications Division supports the Department's mission by providing effective communication to the agency's internal and external stakeholders.

Job Overview

The Public Information Officer (PIO) for the East Tennessee region assists the Director of Communications with internal and external communications with employees, the public, and news media. This position is responsible for media relations, social media management, marketing, photography, printed and digital publications. The PIO must have strong written and oral communications skills. The individual selected must be able to travel frequently throughout the east Tennessee region to visit prison facilities and community supervision offices. This individual must attend monthly meetings at TDOC Central Office in Nashville and be available on an on-call basis.

Key Responsibilities

Serves as the point of contact for news media agencies in the east region. In collaboration with the communications director, responds to inquiries from news media regarding departmental initiatives, offender information, and records requests.
Writes and distributes news releases and media advisories for the east region.
Assists in producing the TDOC employee newsletter and writing memos, speeches, and other documents.
Develops social media content for various platforms including writing, editing, and creating visual content using both video and still photography.
Develops marketing campaigns and assists with printed and electronic publications.
Travels to facilities and offices several times each week in order to meet with staff and identify content ideas.
Assists the web developer with creating and editing content for the TDOC internet and intranet sites.
Assists with correspondence received from the public, incarcerated population, and families, as needed.
Assists with promotion and implementation of the departments Citizens Correctional Academy
Assists the web developer with creating and editing content for the TDOC internet and intranet sites.
Assists with correspondence received from the public, incarcerated population, and families, as needed.
Assists with promotion and implementation of the departments Citizens Correctional Academy

Required Experience

Three (3) years' experience, public relations, journalism, broadcasting, or related field
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to work well in a team environment.
Ability to be a self-starter and generate story ideas from the east region.
Detail-oriented, adaptable, organized, and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
Working knowledge of Canva, Word, Publisher, and PowerPoint
Ability to pass a criminal background check and pre-employment screen.
Valid driver's license and ability to operate a state vehicle.

Samples of Work

• Applicants must submit three (3) writing samples of either news releases, news stories, social media content, or related communications. Links to video production preferred but not required.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.

PIO jobs

Public Information Officer - East Region