Communications and Digital Assistant

The Governor's Office of Communications, together with the Governor's Office of Digital Strategy, is looking for a flexible, hardworking, highly motivated public servant to join its team as a Communications & Digital Assistant. This position will support a wide range of work within the Offices of Communications and Digital Strategy, helping Governor Shapiro and the Shapiro Administration communicate effectively with the public on important policy priorities, in response to crises, and throughout the process of governing. This person will lead all media monitoring for the Governor's Office, ensuring senior staff are informed of breaking Pennsylvania and national news and key mentions of the Governor in print, TV, radio, and social media throughout the day.

The Governor's Office of Communications and Governor's Office of Digital Strategy respond to breaking news and important public developments, regardless of the time of day. Applicants for this position should be aware that they may be asked to work on evenings and weekends, as necessary.

In this role our team, and the people of Pennsylvania, will rely on you to:

• Manage the media monitoring processes for both Offices, including sending daily news clips on behalf of the Office of Communications, preparing social listening reports, and monitoring breaking news.
• Develop and execute a strategy to ensure senior staff is informed of breaking news in a streamlined and organized manner, serving as a key element of the Governor's Office rapid response process.
• Prepare regular reports on news coverage of important issues and initiatives, ensuring the relevant staff are up to date.
• Use various communications and digital tools to analyze online sentiment about the Governor's initiatives, manage press lists, and send press releases, advisories, and statements.
• Closely monitor the Office of Communications public phone line and email inbox, taking media inquiries professionally and routing to the appropriate team members, as needed.
• Work with various departments in the Governor's Office to organize and prepare for events, digital time, and media interviews.
• Brief the Communications Director, Press Secretary, and Director of Digital Strategy as needed, keep meeting records, and prepare memos.
• Manage the calendar of the Communications Director, Press Secretary, and Director of Digital Strategy, including scheduling internal and external meetings.
• Assist with the Communication Director, Press Secretary, and Director of Digital Strategy's air travel, ground transportation, and lodging.
• Perform other duties on behalf of both offices as assigned.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours range from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch. You will be expected to regularly respond to requests/complete tasks outside of business hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to one day per week. You will have in-person responsibilities in Harrisburg at least four days per week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of professional experience as a press, communications, or digital professional in service to a public relations, media relations, and/or government affairs organization and such training as may have been gained through internships and graduation from a two or four year college or university; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• You must work well in a fast-paced and highly collaborative team environment.
• You must be enthusiastic and self-motivated with a desire to learn new tools and technologies.
• You must be proficient using macOS and iOS devices.
• You must be skilled in utilizing Google Drive for document management and collaborative editing, ensuring seamless workflow and efficient team collaboration.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Familiarity with news media and social media in government and/or public relations communications

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.

How to Apply:

• Your application must include a resume to be considered.
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.