Requisition No: 798117

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CONSULTANT II - 60010544

Position Number: 60010544

Salary: $1,923.08 - $2,884.62

Posting Closing Date: 03/28/2023

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION.

THIS IS NOT A TELEWORK POSITION. CANDIDATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO WORK IN THE TALLAHASSEE OFFICE.

This is a highly responsible and professional position that will serve as the Communications and Engagement Specialist within the Business Operations unit and requires detailed knowledge of legislative process. Communications and Engagement Specialist is expected to show a high degree of proficiency in conducting program evaluations and policy analyses, demonstrate strong writing and presentation skills, and develop substantive knowledge of Florida state government operations.

The position is responsible for assisting with the implementation of programs and projects to include but is not limited to:

• Drafts and finalizes communication materials and responses for public awareness campaigns to include social media campaigns, press releases, website content, briefings presentations and talking points to ensure the successful messaging of the Substance Abuse & Mental Health (SAMH) Program. When appropriate, refers inquiries to the proper source or investigates the subject matter and makes recommendations to provide solutions, draft responses or appropriate courses of action.
• Responds or coordinates responses to verbal or written requests for information from legislative and executive branch staff, external partners, the media or the general public. When appropriate, refers inquiries to the proper source or investigates the subject matter and makes recommendations to provide solutions, draft responses or appropriate courses of action.
• Ensure that external communications are in line with the voice of the Department of Children & Families. Ensure universal quality communications. Keep messaging relevant, relatable, and responsive.
• Participates in the creative process and assist with the design and execution of proactive public awareness campaigns to include social media campaigns, op-eds, press releases, website content, presentations and talking points.
• Lead for the program related to any and all internal and external communications and messaging.
• Actively work to ensure the program is effectively and consistently messaging policy and operational initiatives statewide.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

An ideal candidate will be able to:

• Engage cooperatively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Simultaneously Manage multiple priority projects nimbly and seamlessly.
• Be flexible and able to function and succeed both with and without extensive direction.
• Understand and appreciate SAMH’s vision and demonstrate the ability to execute projects, assignments, and policy updates timely and accurately within a fast-paced environment.
• Function both independently and in a team environment.
• Propose solutions to complex problems.
• Determine the best yes, through the use of comprehensive research.

All applicants must ensure that all employment and detailed information about work experience is listed on your applicant profile and/or resume (including dates of service, reason for leaving, military service, self-employment, job-related volunteer work, internships, etc.) and that gaps in employment are explained. Applicants who do not provide all information necessary to meet the minimum requirements, will not be considered for this position.

Salary is negotiable depending on experience and demonstrated successful management of complex projects and initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position:

• Knowledge of and experience in journalism and writing in Associated Press style.
• Ability to write and/or proofread and edit written word and/or information in various formats.
• Ability to gather, interpret, report, and/or edit information.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects and tasks.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and in a team-oriented environment.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of basic management principles and practices.
• Ability to collect, evaluate and analyze data to develop alternative recommendations, solve problems, document work flow and other activities relating to the improvement of operational and management practices.
• Ability to organize data into logical format for presentation in reports, documents and other written materials.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding research.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to operational and management analysis activities.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of experience preparing written responses to a variety of high-level documents and requests for information both internally and externally.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Journalism, Communications or a related field is preferred, and four years of professional experience related to the duties of this position.
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one year of the required experience.
• Professional or nonprofessional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the preferred college education.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance; $25,000 policy is free plus option to purchase additional life insurance
• Dental, vision and supplemental insurance
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
  • (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Tuition waiver for public college courses

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES

US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS). Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.

RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.