Deputy Director (Senior Public Service Administrator, Opt.1)

Position Overview

Serves as Deputy Director of the Office of Communications.  As a policy-making official, organizes, plans, executes, controls and evaluates the operations of the Office of Communications. Forecasts and plans annual communications messaging, strategies, social media presence, calendar of events, campaigns, activities and key dates to observe. Serves as the Agency’s lead statewide communications professional for all communications-related activities.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Flexible and hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas (when available and dependent upon position) 
• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• 10-25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 paid sick days annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per calendar year (pro-rated dependent on start date)
• 13-14 paid holidays per year
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

These are just a few of the many perks available to all State employees. For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Deputy Director of the Office of Communications.
• Serves as full‐line supervisor.
• Serves as the Agency’s lead, statewide communications professional for all communications-related activities.
• Consults with the Director, DPH executive staff, clients, consumers and representatives on programs/services, and education issues.
• Directs and coordinates the design, preparation, composition and presentation of speeches, brochures, newsletters, presentations, exhibits, and for events and issues of shared concern and involvement in coordination of projects.
• Serves as an official agency spokesperson on behalf of the Director of DPH, the agency and the Office with officials of federal, state, and local agencies, the Governor’s Office, legislators and consumer groups in events and issues of shared concern.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Requirements

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years college.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years college, with course work in business or public administration, public affairs, or public relations.
• Four (4) years experience in management of a multi-faceted communications strategy, relating to numerous programs, industry stakeholders, and impacted communities.
• Four (4) years experience establishing policies, goals and objectives for a program.
• Two (2) years experience serving as a supervisor.
• Two (2) years experience designing, preparing, and presenting speeches, brochures, newsletters, or presentations.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Thorough knowledge of government programs, service objectives, activities and operational systems of DPH.
• Thorough knowledge of public and business administration principles and practices.