Communications Specialist

Description

State of Idaho Opportunity

Idaho Commission on the Arts

Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date. 

The Idaho Commission on the Arts is a state agency dedicated to bringing the arts to all Idahoans. 

Arts Idaho strengthens our communities through the arts. 

We create a diverse network of arts champions throughout Idaho by bringing stakeholders together for conversation, collaboration, and creative visioning. We convene local and regional gatherings for artists and arts administrators, provide grants and technical assistance to arts and cultural organizations, and facilitate capacity building in communities to support arts jobs and businesses. 

Arts Idaho makes arts education a priority. 

We know that students with an education bolstered by the arts have higher GPA’s, better test scores, and lower drop-out rates. Through our Arts Education Project grants, we encourage arts organizations and schools to work together. We work directly with schools and students through Poetry Out Loud, a poetry recitation competition that inspires an understanding of poetry through memorization and performance. And, knowing that arts education is valuable beyond the classroom and not just for kids, we send teaching-artists into veteran’s homes, libraries, and other community centers. 

Arts Idaho supports the efforts of individual artists including painters, writers, dancers and actors who are creating new projects that are seen by thousands of Idahoans each year. Our Folk and Traditional Arts Program helps to preserve, perpetuate, and celebrate the traditional arts in communities by supporting tradition bearers and Idaho folklife through documentation, public programming, and funding opportunities.

Responsibilities:

As part of a collaborative and adaptive team, the Communications Specialist develops, organizes, directs, and evaluates comprehensive strategies to inform the public of the activities and objectives of Arts Idaho and the positive impact of cultural communities on our state and region. They manage internal communications and agency public information outreach. This position displays a strong knowledge of communications, marketing and public information best practices, project management, writing and creative content development, and is skilled at developing and maintaining stakeholder relationships. The Communications Specialist demonstrates an understanding of Idaho's varied communities and working within the state government structure, tailoring communications accordingly. The Communications Specialist reports to the Deputy Director and Executive Director and works collaboratively in a support role with agency staff.

• Develop communication plan, implement, and evaluate Arts Idaho public facing outreach
• Serve as media contact and spokesperson; act as a liaison with agency staff and media to coordinate interviews, press coverage
• Serve as the agency’s principal writer: Research, write, draft, edit, update, and proofread all Arts Idaho policies, procedures and publications for relevancy, consistency, and customer focus
• Source and create high quality content designed to engage audiences and articulate the agency's mission, culture
• Lead and implement the agency’s digital marketing strategy across multiple channels and platforms
• Coordinate the design, content, and production of agency collateral, publications
• Work with design and media professionals, as needed
• Collaborate with media and state agency partners
• Represent Arts Idaho at public events and info sessions to promote programs, services and resources
• Promote the impact of artists, arts organizations, and cultural communities on our state
• Oversee Crisis Communications planning, training and implementation
• Oversee digital accessibility requirements
• Comply with all state and federal agency requirements and protocols; uphold standards and fulfill requirements defined by Governor’s press office, including Transparent Idaho initiatives
• Serves as Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer
• Maintain communications budget within greater agency budget
• Participate in agency strategic planning process, plan development, and plan dissemination

Minimum Qualifications:

• Some knowledge of management practices; program or project planning and implementation.
• Experience developing and evaluating policies and procedures.

MQ Specialties:

• Experience utilizing problem solving strategies as a responsibility of the job; compiling and analyzing information and/or data and writing reports and/or correspondence in a work setting; providing customer service; leading or facilitating teams or groups; collaborating with other business units, agencies, or organizations; technical writing and communication strategies; advanced computer skills as identified by the appointing authority (such as web development, Front Page, Publisher, InDesign, Dream Weaver, etc);
• Experience interpreting and applying laws and regulation; interpreting and applying contracts; explaining technical program related policies and procedures; reviewing documents for accuracy, completeness and compliance.
• Experience developing and evaluating policies, procedures, training and presentation materials; reviewing documents for accuracy, completeness, and compliance.
• Experience developing complex spreadsheets and performing mathematical calculations.
• Experience using database management systems for tracking and reporting; presenting information, both verbally and in writing, to both technically and non-technically oriented audiences;
• Experience analyzing & interpreting data using statistical software.
• Good knowledge market research techniques and databases.
• Good knowledge of MS Office, marketing computer software and online applications (CRM tools, Online analytics, Google Analytics, etc.)
• Some knowledge of project management.
• Some knowledge of marketing principles.

WE OFFER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BEYOND COMPARE:

• Excellent low-cost Health, Dental and Vision insurance
• Participation in one of the nation's best state retirement systems PERSI Retirement
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual beginning as soon as you start
• Paid parental leave
• Eleven paid holidays a year
• Multiple retirement plans, including an optional 401k & Deferred Compensation plans
• Group Life Insurance/Disability Insurance/Supplemental Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness programs
• Robust ongoing training opportunities
• Benefits Summary (Download PDF reader)

TO APPLY: 

To apply for this position, please submit 1.) a customized letter of interest, 2.) a resume, and 3) a list of three professional references. Attach the resume to your online application. Insert your letter of interest and references into the space provided in the supporting documents section of the application. 

Your letter of interest should specifically address how your education, training and work experience meet the responsibilities, qualifications, and required skills of the position. A writing sample, such as a letter of interest, provides an opportunity to evaluate your writing skills as well as your ability to demonstrate you meet the qualifications of the position. Your resume must clearly support the information provided in your letter of interest. A resume does not substitute for a letter of interest. Applications that do not include a letter of interest will not be accepted. 

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

 *Benefits may not be applicable for temporary or seasonal positions.