Information Specialist 2 - Communications & Public Information

Job Description

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

NOTE: This is NOT an IT position

Information Specialist 2 - Communications & Public Information

Department of Administrative Services (DAS) - Human Resources Enterprise (HRE)

Why Join DAS-HRE & the State of Iowa?

At DAS-HRE, we support the people and processes that power State of Iowa government. This role sits at the center of that work, helping ensure clear, consistent, and transparent communication across agencies, leadership, and the public.

As part of our team, you’ll help shape how critical information is shared, understood, and acted upon, supporting everything from policy communication to public transparency.

As a State Employee, You’ll Enjoy

• Work That Matters - Help communicate initiatives that impact Iowa’s workforce and communities
• Enterprise-Level Impact - Collaborate across agencies and leadership to drive consistency and clarity
• Professional Growth - Opportunities to expand your expertise in public sector communications
• Stability & Purpose - A meaningful career in public service
  
  

What You’ll Do

As the central communications lead for DAS-HRE, you will serve as a key advisor and coordinator for internal and external communications, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned across the enterprise.

In This Role, You Will

Lead Communications Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and public information plan
• Establish and manage communication workplans aligned with agency priorities
• Evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies and continuously improve approaches
  
  

Serve as a Key Liaison & Advisor

• Act as the primary communications liaison between DAS-HRE and the Chief Communications Officer
• Advise program staff and leadership on messaging, tone, and communication strategy
  
  

Manage Public Information & Open Records

• Serve as DAS-HRE’s open records liaison, ensuring accurate, timely, and consistent responses
• Prepare, review, and edit open records requests in collaboration with legal and leadership teams
• Maintain records and documentation to support transparency and consistency
  
  

Develop High-Impact Written Communications

• Prepare talking points, reports, media releases, articles, and stakeholder communications
• Draft and edit materials for leadership, including the COO and bureau chiefs
• Support development of legislative, budgetary, and program-related communications
  
  

Support Internal Communications

• Provide guidance, tools, and training to staff on communication standards and best practices
• Develop and maintain style guides and communication templates
• Facilitate collaboration across teams to ensure accurate and inclusive messaging
  
  

Oversee Digital & Content Management

• Primary contact for website support and development within DAS-HRE
• Draft, edit, and maintain website content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and alignment with policy
• Participate in website governance and improvement efforts
  
  

What We’re Looking For

We’re seeking a strong communicator who can operate both strategically and tactically. This individual will need to translate complex information into clear, actionable messaging while navigating a multi-stakeholder environment.

The Ideal Candidate Will Demonstrate

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to diverse audiences
• Experience developing and executing communication plans or strategies
• Ability to manage sensitive or complex information with professionalism and discretion
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work across teams and leadership levels
• Attention to detail and commitment to consistency, accuracy, and clarity
• Experience with public information, government communications, or open records processes (preferred)
  
  

Why This Role Matters

Clear communication builds trust, strengthens collaboration, and ensures transparency in government. In this role, you’ll help shape how information flows across DAS-HRE and beyond, supporting informed decision-making and reinforcing the State of Iowa’s commitment to serving the public effectively.

Benefits

At the State of Iowa, we are committed to your well-being. As a valued team member, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.
  
  

To learn more about the benefits of working with the State of Iowa, visit our benefits webpage.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov .

Selectives

405 Media Communication

6 months experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in preparing and writing materials to disseminate information to the public through the media such as newspapers, TV/radio, etc. May also have dealt with reporters on a regular basis for news releases.

AND

406 Mass Communication

12 semester hours of coursework involving: journalism, public relations, graphics, or communicative arts. 6 months’ experience including: writing, editing, layout, design and publishing of printed materials plus responsibility for disseminating information about the activities of an organization through newspapers, radio, television, periodicals, pamphlets, brochures, and other media. Experience could also involve responsibility for advising management on the public relations implications of management decisions or serving as spokesperson for the organization to media representatives. - Applicants must attach an unofficial transcript for verification

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in journalism, public relations, graphic design, or communications and experience equal to two years of full-time work planning and developing content for dissemination through traditional media (newspapers, publications, radio, and television), websites, social media, and/or public speaking.
• All of the following (a and b):
• Two years of full-time work experience in planning and developing content for dissemination through traditional media (newspapers, publications, radio, and television), websites, social media, and/or public speaking; and
• A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in part a), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in journalism, public relations, graphic design, or communications equals one year of fulltime experience.
• Number two above, where twenty-four semester hours of postgraduate coursework in journalism, public relations, graphic design, or communications from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required full-time work experience.
• Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to 18 months of full-time work as an Information Specialist 1.
  
  

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.