Deputy Secretary for Communications Augusta , Maine , United States | Communication & Public Relations | Full-time Apply by: March 3, 2025 Apply with Linkedin Apply Position: Deputy Secretary for Communications Department:Department of the Secretary of State Schedule:Monday - Friday, occasional evening or weekends Job Class: EZ01 / Appointed Salary: $75,000 - $90,000 annually Closing Date : March 3, 2025 Join Our Team at the Department of the Secretary of State At the Department of the Secretary of State, we are a team dedicated to providing efficient and exceptional service to our community. We prioritize work-life balance and offer great benefits to support our team in achieving professional success while maintaining personal well-being. Join a team that fosters a culture of teamwork, integrity, and continuous improvement, offering opportunities for growth and making a meaningful impact on the lives of our citizens. Are you ready to make a difference? The position supports the Secretary of State Department’s strategic objective to make the work of the department transparent to all Maine residents by proactively promoting key department messages and supporting the execution of an earned media strategy across regional and national outlets. About the Position: The Deputy Secretary for Communications works in central office of the Secretary of State Department. A successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining and developing media lists, creating press releases and reports, analyzing results, supporting the maintenance of relationships with media bookers and reporters, and developing strategies to increase the visibility of the Department spokespeople across TV networks, radio, digital streaming programs, podcasts, and more. Specifically, this position involves handling daily incoming media inquiries and interview requests and working to determine the appropriate level of engagement and strategic response. What We’re Looking For: + Clear Communicator: Excellent communication skills to foster alignment and clarity with colleagues, management, and stakeholders. + Team Player: A strong collaborator who works seamlessly with others, contributing to shared goals and helping the team succeed. + Adaptable: A flexible mindset, able to pivot with changing priorities, processes, and technologies while maintaining focus on results. + Problem-Solver: Critical thinking skills to identify challenges and implement innovative solutions that drive organizational success. + Detail-Oriented: A commitment to accuracy and thoroughness in managing communications, tasks and responsibilities, ensuring quality outcomes. + Professionalism: Consistently demonstrating respect, courtesy, and a positive demeanor, fostering a constructive and inclusive work environment. Key Competencies We Value: + Emotional Intelligence: Ability to understand and connect with others, showing empathy while maintaining professionalism and accountability. + Conflict Resolution & Feedback: Skill in managing difficult situations and offering constructive feedback with tact and respect. + Time Management: Strong organizational and multitasking abilities to balance various responsibilities effectively. + Commitment to Excellence: Dedication to achieving high standards in service delivery and personal work performance. + Continuous Improvement: A mindset focused on improving processes, learning new skills, and supporting team development. In this role, you will: + Develop compelling research-based talking points that help build narrative momentum and cut through the clutter of a crowded/competitive news cycle. + Write compelling, message-based media collateral in the form of op/eds, press statements, media releases, and compelling quotes ready for immediate media placement. + Coordinate media appearances, handling the necessary logistics and managing preparation and research. + Support the Secretary of State’s and other key leaders’ presence at key events and identifying new opportunities to engage key audiences and lift media narratives. + Proofread and copyedit media content using AP style. + Manage the department’s social media presence on a variety of platforms Minimum Qualifications: + A minimum of five (5) years experience with the creation and management of digital and/or traditional communications programs. + An understanding of communications and digital strategies and best practices with an eye toward innovative approaches to values-based communications and mobilization. + Knowledge of the Maine political landscape. + A track record of working in coalition doing advocacy, electoral, or organizing campaigns. + Experience contributing to and executing strategic communications plans, creating campaigns, engaging audiences via email and social media, and catalyzing stakeholder engagement. + Ability to apply race, class, and gender equity analyses to strategic decision making and program execution. + A demonstrated ability to project manage, prioritize, and execute at a high level with keen attention to detail and minimal direction. + Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and relationship-building skills inside organizations and externally with media, partners and stakeholders. + Exceptional verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills with adaptable style for different audiences and a keen eye for proofreading and editing. + Strong comfort with and fluency in technology platforms including Microsoft Office, print/web publishing, and social media platforms. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions, and successful candidates will be required to complete an I-9 form upon hire. Why Join Our Team? No matter where you work across Maine state government, you’ll be part of a workforce that embodies our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—providing essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and well-being with a valuable total compensation package, including: + Work-Life Fit: Take time for yourself with 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. + Health Insurance Coverage: The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. + Dental Insurance: The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($387.62 annual value). + Retirement Plan: This position is an appointed position. Incumbent will have an option for which plan to choose: + Join Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS). The State contributes the equivalent of 18.09% or 13.29%of the employee's pay depending on chosen plan. + Join the federal Social Security system and receive a 5% salary premium. + Join one of the state's deferred compensation plans (employee must contribute at least 7.5% of salary) Contact information: Questions about this position should be directed to the Chief Deputy Secretary of State, via emailkatherine.mcbrien@maine.gov. Application Instructions: Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. If you require a paper application, please download and print one HERE (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process) or contact our office at 207-441-4512 . Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Secretary of State Office of Human Resources, 29 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04330 or faxed to 207-624-9313 . Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included. Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date. State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time. There's a job, and then there’s purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in different ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note that reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Thinking about applying? Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.