144-26 Government Representative 3 "Communications Specialist/Public information Officer"

JOB DESCRIPTION: Under the direction of the NJ DCF Director of Communications, the Communications Specialist will: 

• Act as the primary point-of-contact for media inquiries, serving as the Department’s designated Public Information Officer. 

• Coordinate media responses in collaboration with the Director of Communications, Office of Communications and Public Affairs staff, Departmental leadership and subject matter experts, and the Governor’s Office. 

• Draft press releases, editorials, talking points, remarks, reports, and other written materials as assigned. 

• Research and analyze complex child welfare practice and policy, distilling information for a general audience. 

• Provide editorial support, as assigned, for Department reports, applications, brochures, and other materials.

NOTE: Applicants are required to submit a completed State of New Jersey Application (DPF-663.pdf) for Employment with their resume at the time of application. Failure to do so will result in disqualification for this position.

REQUIREMENTS 

EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s degree in journalism / professional writing, communications, or related field. 

EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years of experience in written and verbal communication. Such experience may include but is not limited to the following: interpreting technical material and/or rules, regulations, and statutes to the public; working in an area concerned with consumer services, journalism, communication education; public affairs. Two (2) years of professional experience in mass communications, public affairs, media relations or related field is preferred.  

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: Must have, or possess the ability to acquire, knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, regulations and policies affecting the programs and activities of the department and be able to explain to a general audience. Must be deadline oriented. 

NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute the experience, as indicated above on a year for year basis.

RESUME NOTE: Eligibility determinations will be based upon information presented on the resume only. Applicants who possess a degree from a college or university outside the United States must provide an evaluation of one’s transcripts from a recognized evaluation service at the time of submission by the above closing date. Failure to do so may result in your ineligibility.

LICENSE: Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

                                              IMPORTANT NOTICES 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: The Department of Children and Families provides many employee benefits, including but not limited to: 

• Alternative Workweek Program* 

• Deferred Compensation 

• Health, Dental and Life Insurance 

• Flexible and Health Spending Accounts 

• Pension 

• Telework* 

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness 

• Benefit Leave (Vacation, Sick, Administrative Leave) 

• 13 Paid Holidays 

*Pursuant to Department policy, procedures and/or guidelines

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS: As a prospective employee of the State of New Jersey, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

SAME APPLICANTS: If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, you must submit any of the supporting documentation specified in N.J.S.A. 11A:7-13.3 along with your resume by the closing date indicated above.

UNIT SCOPE: Any appointments made from postings which involve movement between unit scopes may result in a forfeiture of rights to any promotional list in a former unit scope. A complete list of DCF unit scopes can be found here DCF_UNIT_SCOPE_LIST_7.29.2025.xlsb

RESIDENCY: Effective 9/1/11, NJ PL 70 (NJ First Act), requires all State employees to reside in New Jersey, unless exempted under the law, or current employees who live out-of-state and do not have a break-in service of more than 7 calendar days, as they are “grandfathered.” New employees or current employees who were not grandfathered and who live out-of-state have one year after the date of employment to relocate their residence to New Jersey or request an exemption. Current employees who reside in NJ must retain NJ residency, unless he/she obtains an exemption. Employees who fail to meet the residency requirements or obtain an exemption will be removed from employment.

AUTHORIZATION TO WORK: Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Regulations. This position does not offer visa sponsorship now or in the future.