Who we are:

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is committed to its mission “To ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all.” Our agency embraces the insightful use of our natural resources to assure the continued safety, happiness and prosperity of Ohio’s people.

ODNR owns and manages state parks, state forests, state nature preserves and wildlife areas. We license all hunting, fishing and watercraft; oversee and permit all mineral extraction, monitor dam safety, manage water resources and serve as the second largest Law Enforcement presence in the State of Ohio.

We are accepting applications for a Public Information Officer 1 position within the Division of Parks & Watercraft, headquartered in Franklin County. The address is 2045 Morse Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229.  To learn more about the Division of Parks & Watercraft, please visit Ohio State Parks & Watercraft.

What you will do…

• Plan & direct the promotions & public & media relations segment of the division's communication’s program;
• Manage internal & external communications & general promotion of division programs;
•  Develop prepare & disseminate print request orders, press releases & other public information;
• Develop & monitor social media content;
• Coordinate special events, programs, presentations.

What’s in it for you…

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan. 

Dental, Vision, and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completing an eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Employee Development Funds

• The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave 
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees.  The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement.  The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary.  Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

We are ready for you!

We’re glad you’re interested in pursuing a rewarding career with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources!  Exploring and protecting the natural beauty of Ohio will prove to be the most enjoyable career opportunity you will ever find!

Official Position Description:

For the Division of Parks & Watercraft, plans & directs the promotions & public & media relations segment of the communication’s program: develops social media content (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Instagram); monitors content & forwards public inquiries as appropriate; coordinates with the department’s social media coordinator to establish standard practices & procedures for social media interactions; evaluates development, preparation & dissemination of public information (e.g., annual reports, press releases, newsletters, pamphlets, brochures, promotional publications); researches & composes, proofs & distributes information (e.g., announcements, feature articles, internet web pages & other written or electronic communications); prepares & disseminates informational materials reflecting division activities, goals &/or objectives; develops, prepares, types, proofs & issues news releases, outreach materials & web content; develops & presents information & educational displays, programs, & speeches to media; writes, types, edits & performs layout work on division publications (e.g. annual report, pamphlets, brochures, promotional publications, training books); prepares print request orders & coordinates with state’s copy center to ensure that printed materials are completed & delivered; evaluates finished communications projects & analyzes success.

Advises & consults with division senior staff & ODNR’s Office of Communications regarding public relations aspects; researches, writes & edits speeches & event briefings for division leadership; provides consultation &/or instruction to authors of materials; provides assistance &/or technical guidance on social media accounts & in developing programmatic policies & procedures; responds to public inquiries or directs to other appropriate parties within the division for response, as needed; responds to requests regarding division activities & requests for speeches &/or presentations; serves as resource person for information on positive public presentation of programs & activities.

Plans, directs &/or coordinates special events (e.g., press conferences, dedications, arrangements with media) by coordinating event logistics & site selection; initiates & maintains contacts with emerging web-based & social media; assists in coordination of natural resources exhibits at the Ohio State Fair; delivers speeches & makes presentations; travels to other areas of the state to perform public relations duties.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS:May work evenings or weekends; may travel overnight

OR

30 mos. exp. in field of journalism or communication dealing in public multi-media techniques & relations, public speaking, news writing, reporting & editing or technical report translation & communication dealing in public meetings; valid driver's license.

OR

12 mos. exp. as Public Information Specialist, 64420; valid driver's license.

OR

Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Knowledge of: journalism (newswriting, reporting & editing); public relations; agency policies & procedures (ODNR & Division )*; humanities (Communications [multi-media techniques]);  

Skill in: word processing ([Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite]; equipment operation (computer [including Macintosh], projector, general office equipment); 

Ability to: deal with many variables & determine specific action;  writes &/or edit articles for publication; handle sensitive inquiries from & contacts with officials & general public; use proper research methods in gathering data.

*Developed after employment

Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

Competencies: Communicating with People Outside the Organization; Getting Information; Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, and Subordinates

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Mohammad Yakubu, EEO Regional/Program Administrator at 614-265-6992 or mohammad.yakubu@dnr.ohio.gov

Effective July 1, 2015 applicants must apply online for positions at all state agencies except the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

STATUS OF POSTED POSITIONS: Applicants can view the status of this position by logging into their user profile on the Ohio Hiring Management System [OHMS] Home page at the following link careers.ohio.gov, and selecting "My Profile".

Selection devices, proficiency testing and/or assessments may be used to determine if an applicant meets and is proficient in the minimum qualifications for this position. 

Applicants may attach the following document types:

• Microsoft Word (.doc and .docx)
• PDF (.pdf), •Plain Text (.txt)
• Rich Text (.rtf)

Please do not upload attachments that have an anomaly or are password protected.

 
VERIFIABLE INFORMATION

Applicants must clearly identify how qualifications are met within the education and/or experience sections of the applications.  All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education provided on your civil service application. Attachments will be considered as part of the application packet in addition to the fully completed civil service application, not in place of. Applicants may be required to submit transcripts or licensure(s) to support their application.