Communications & Events Specialist - Public Information Officer 1

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Starting Hourly Pay: $29.34
• Incredible Medical Coverage begins the 1st of the month following your Start Date
• Generous Benefits Package Including Vacation, Sick, Holiday, and Personal Leave
• Retirement/pension, deferred compensation, credit union benefits available
• View our full benefits package on https://careers.ohio.gov/why-work-for-state-of-ohio
  
  

Position Summary

Assists and advises the Communications Director and DVS leadership on issues affecting Ohio’s veteran community; represents the Department at meetings, public engagements, and statewide outreach events; and supports constituent services, and interagency collaboration to advance the Department’s mission.

Essential Duties

Strategic Communications & Public Information

• Plan and direct news releases, talking points, and public‑facing publications; ensure clear, consistent messaging across channels.
• Draft, edit, and proof speeches, press releases, newsletters, web copy, and related materials for executive leadership; prepare briefings, directives, and reports for internal and external audiences.
• Coordinate media relations: respond to media inquiries, prepare background materials, develop proactive pitches, and support public records responses in collaboration with legal and program staff.
• Create and manage social media content and calendars; monitor engagement; and align messaging with agency priorities and outreach campaigns.
  
  

Community & Constituent Relations

• Serve as ombudsman for sensitive and confidential constituent affairs; evaluate issues and coordinate referrals to appropriate programs or agencies; provide guidance on veteran benefits and resources.
• Assist State of Ohio Senators and Representatives with veteran‑related questions and problem resolution; ensure timely, accurate responses and case follow‑through.
• Draft detailed correspondence to constituents, stakeholders, and partners to ensure clear, timely communication.
  
  

Interagency & Program Liaison

• Act as liaison between DVS and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, state agencies, and County Veterans Service Offices regarding compensation, pension, education, and burial benefits.
• Transmit departmental decisions and directives; maintain strong relationships with federal, state, county, and community partners.
  
  

Event & Program Leadership

• Lead coordination of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame and other special events; including program analysis and execution, communications materials, event logistics, status reports, and budget maintenance; recommend improvements to the Communications Director.
  
  

Digital, Design & Tools

• Utilize Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g., InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere) for layout, graphics, photography/video editing, and multimedia content, support event collateral and digital outreach.
• Use Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams/SharePoint) for document creation, reporting, presentations, and cross‑team collaboration.
• Maintain and update web content and digital platforms to ensure accuracy, timeliness, accessibility, and brand consistency.
  
  

Projects & Initiatives

• Develop and administer special programs, projects, and veterans’ initiatives as assigned, track outcomes and report results to leadership.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

30 mos. exp. in field of journalism or communication dealing in public multi-media techniques & relations, public speaking, news writing, reporting & editing or technical report translation & communication dealing in public meetings; valid driver's license.

• Or completion of undergraduate core program in journalism or communication; 6 mos. exp. in public multi-media techniques & relations in field of journalism or communication; valid driver's license.
• Or 12 mos. exp. as Public Information Specialist, 64420; valid driver's license.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience building media relationships and responding to media inquiries/public records requests.
• Experience producing multimedia content (video strategy, photography, web editing).
• Government or public‑sector experience; knowledge of Ohio’s veteran services network and benefits programs.
  
  

Job Skills: Communications

Organization

Veterans Services Central Office

Agency Contact Name and Information

Jason Spaulding / Jason.Spaulding@dvs.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

Apr 6, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location

Riffe Tower 07

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation

$29.34

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

8 am - 5 pm

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

Exempt from Union

Primary Job Skill

Communications

Technical Skills

Digital Marketing, Marketing, Customer Service, Graphic Arts, Veteran Services

Professional Skills

Collaboration, Creativity, Organizing and Planning, Public Speaking, Written Communication

Agency Overview

The Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) has the declared mission of "empowering veterans and their families to thrive through commitment, compassion, & community". Founded in 2008, ODVS serves those who served through a variety of programs, events, resources, and outreach efforts that honor veterans.

To learn more about us, click odvs-annual-report-2025.pdf