Communications Representative 9-P11 - Associate Public Information Officer - MDHHS Comm. Admin

Communications Representative 9-P11 - Associate Public Information Officer - MDHHS Comm. Admin

Salary

$2,068.00 - $3,240.80 Biweekly

Location

Lansing, MI

Job Type

Permanent Full Time

Job Number

3901-26-COMM-006-FILL

Department

Health and Human Services - Central Office

Opening Date

08/31/2026

Closing Date

9/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

The MDHHS mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. For more information, please visit our MDHHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan.

This position functions as an associate public information officer primarily for health services-related external communications, but also for human services-related communications. The role coordinates response to media inquiries; creating and issuing media advisories, press release and op-eds; supports the planning of press conferences and briefings as needed; communicates with members of the media and tracks and evaluates media coverage of the department. Participates in on-call rotation for responding to weekend media inquiries.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB SPECIFICATION

To be considered for this position you must:

• apply for this position online via NEOGOV; click on "Apply" in the job posting for instructions on submitting your electronic application. Hard copy applications are not accepted.
• relevant experience and/or education referred to in supplemental questions must be documented in resume, transcript and/or application to allow for accurate screening.
• attach or link to specific writing examples in your application.
• attach a resume identifying specific experience and dates of employment. Dates of employment should include month and year and hours per week.
• attach a cover letter.
• if applicable, attach a copy of an official transcript(s). We accept scanned copies of official transcripts. We do not accept web-based, internet, or copies of unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts provide the name of the institution, confirmation that a degree was awarded and on what date, and the registrars signature. Please review Civil Services guidelines regarding Official Transcripts: Official Transcripts (michigan.gov).

Failure to complete any of the above items may result in your application not being considered. See instructions for attaching files here: Instructions

Required Education and Experience

Education

Possession of a bachelors degree in English, journalism, communications, broadcasting, telecommunications, advertising, communication arts, marketing, public relations, or a related field.

Experience

Communications Representative 9 - No specific type or amount is required.

Communications Representative 10 - One year of professional experience in preparing and disseminating informational and promotional materials equivalent to a Communications Representative 9.

Communications Representative P11 - Two years of professional experience in preparing and disseminating informational and promotional materials equivalent to a Communications Representative, including one year equivalent to a Communications Representative 10.

Alternate Education and Experience

Communications Representative 9

Possession of a bachelors degree in any major with two years of experience equivalent to a Communications Representative may be substituted for the education requirement.

OR

Completion of 60 semester (90 term) credits including 16 semester (24 term) credits in any combination of coursework in the following areas: English, journalism, communications, broadcasting, telecommunications, advertising, communication arts, marketing, or public relations, AND two years of experience equivalent to a Communications Representative may be substituted for the education requirement.

OR

Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school and four years of experience equivalent to a Communications Representative may be substituted for the education requirement.

Additional Requirements and Information

If you previously held status in this classification and departed within the last three (3) years, please contact Human Resources regarding your interest in a potential reinstatement. Reinstatement is not guaranteed or required.

Your application for any position does not guarantee you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.

Position Location/Remote Office: The physical location of this position is 333 S. Grand Ave., Lansing, MI. Based on operational needs and within established limits, remote work and alternate or hybrid work schedule requests for this position may be considered. Selected candidates who have been approved to work remotely or a hybrid schedule must complete that work within Michigan. Candidates should confirm work location and schedule at the time of interview.

Employees will be provided computers to perform state work. Phones may also be provided for necessary communications. If working remotely, employees will be responsible for providing other components of a remote office at their own expense, including:

• A secure work location that allows privacy and prevents distractions.
• A high-speed internet connection of at least 25 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload.
• Suitable lighting, furniture, and utilities.

As a Condition of Employment: this position requires successful completion of a background investigation and a criminal records check.

The Department of Health & Human Services reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

For information about this specific position, please email MDHHSVacancies@michigan.gov. Please reference the job posting number in subject line.

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MDHHS is proud to be a Michigan Veteran's Affairs Agency (MVAA) Gold Level Veteran-Friendly Employer

Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the ADA coordinator for the agency that posted this position vacancy.

State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.

More details on benefits for our new hires are below:

Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.

Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.

Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.

Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.

Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.

Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.

Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.

Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.

Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.

Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.

Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.

Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.

Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.

Updated: 2/28/24

01

COMNREP - Do you possess one of the following? A bachelors degree or higher in English, journalism, communications, broadcasting, telecommunications, advertising, communication arts, public relations or a related field. If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts. OR Possession of a bachelors degree in any major with two years of experience equivalent to a Communications Representative may be substituted for the education requirement. OR Completion of 60 semester (90 term) credits including 16 semester (24 term) credits in any combination of coursework in the following areas: English, journalism, communications, broadcasting, telecommunications, advertising, communication arts, marketing, or public relations, AND two years of experience equivalent to a Communications Representative may be substituted for the education requirement. OR Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school and four years of experience equivalent to a Communications Representative may be substituted for the education requirement.

• Yes
• No

02

COMNREP - Please select your level of experience.

• None to one year of professional experience in preparing and disseminating informational and promotional materials.
• One to two years of professional experience in preparing and disseminating informational and promotional materials.
• Two to three years of professional experience in preparing and disseminating informational and promotional materials.
• Three to four years of professional experience in preparing and disseminating informational and promotional materials.
• Four to five years of professional experience in preparing and disseminating informational and promotional materials.
• At least five years of professional experience in preparing and disseminating informational and promotional materials.

03

Do you possess at least a bachelors degree in English, journalism, public relations, broadcasting, communications or in a related major? (Please attach a copy of your official transcripts depicting this major to allow for accurate screening.)

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess at minimum one to two years of direct media relations - building relationships with members of the media?

• Yes
• No

05

Please briefly describe your experience working directly with news media reporters and organizations. If you do not possess this experience, write "N/A".

06

Please select the level of knowledge you possess of AP Style? If you possess this knowledge and experience, you must document this in your application to allow for accurate screening. Candidates will be tested on their AP Style knowledge.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Beginner
• None

07

Please describe your experience writing in a variety of formats, including press releases, articles, talking points, op-eds, etc. Please attach or link to specific writing examples in your application. If you do not possess this experience, write "N/A".

08

Please briefly describe your experience dealing with crisis or risk communications. If you do not possess this experience, write "N/A."

09

Are you able and willing to travel statewide to attend media events and exercises as needed?

• Yes
• No

10

Describe a time when you had to navigate cultural differences in a professional or work setting.

11

Are you a current MDHHS employee classified at the posted classification and level(s) (meet the Selective Position Requirement/SubClass Code, etc., if applicable)? If selected, pay and qualifications will be reviewed to determine if the appointment may result in a lateral job change or as a promotion, etc., to the position at the posted location.

• Yes
• No

12

From the options below, which accurately describes your current status? (A current state employee works for an actual state department such as the Department of Corrections, the Department of Transportation, etc.)

• A current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) employee
• A Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) employee in layoff status
• A current State of Michigan (non-MDDHHS) employee
• A State of Michigan (non-MDHHS) employee in layoff status
• None of the above

13

Please select from the options below: (Please note, actions that have been expunged, formal counseling, and layoff actions, such as a reduction in force, need not be reported.) Please select all that apply.

• I have been dismissed within the last two years
• I have resigned in lieu of discipline or dismissal within the last two years
• I have been issued a disciplinary suspension in the last two years.
• I am currently suspended with or without pay pending the outcome of an investigation.
• I have received a written reprimand within the last two years
• I have received an unsatisfactory rating within the last two years
• I have signed a last chance agreement with MDHHS within the last two years
• I certify that none of the above circumstances apply to me

14

If you selected that you have been dismissed within the last two years, resigned in lieu of dismissal within the last two years, were issued a disciplinary suspension within the last two years, are currently suspended with or without pay pending the outcome of an investigation, received a written reprimand within the last two years, received an unsatisfactory rating within the last two years, or signed a last chance agreement with MDHHS within the last two years, please provide an explanation below. If none of the above apply to you, please enter N/A.

15

Do you have an Intentional Program Violation from the Department of Health and Human Services?

• Yes
• No

16

Do you have any objection to being finger printed or drug tested?

• Yes
• No

17

Do you have any substantiated cases of abuse or neglect reported on the MI Department of Health and Human Services Central Registry?

• Yes
• No

18

Did you attach a cover letter and a copy of your résumé to your application? (Failure to do so may result in your application being screened out.)

• Yes
• No

19

Did you attach a copy of an official college/university transcript to your application? (Failure to do so may result in your application being screened out.)

• Yes
• No

20

Did you include a writing samples as requested in question #7? (Failure to do so may result in your application being screened out.)

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of Michigan

Department Health and Human Services - Central Office Address Office of Human Resources

235 S. Grand Ave.

Lansing, Michigan, 48933