About This Job
Office of the Secretary
Division: Public Relations Media
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana Works transforms lives and drives prosperity by putting people at the center of everything we do. We provide one seamless door where individualized solutions create new possibilities, proving that when government works for people, Louisiana works for everyone.
Learn More About Louisiana Works
The
Public Information Officer 1/2/3 supports LA Works strategic priorities by developing and delivering clear, accurate, and timely communications for external audiences. The role focuses on media relations, public outreach, written content, and coordinated messaging that strengthens the visibility and credibility of LA Works programs and initiatives. The Officer drafts press releases and public materials, manages media requests, supports external-facing campaigns, and ensures alignment of agency messaging across platforms. The Officer works as a key member of the Communications and Public Affairs team. The Officer also collaborates with the Internal Communications Officer to coordinate social media content as needed and to ensure consistent, aligned messaging for both internal and external audiences.
The
Office of the Secretary (OOS) is responsible for setting the overall vision, mission and long-term goals of the department. The office of the Secretary provides leadership and management of all departmental programs, communicates departmental direction, ensures the quality of services provided, and fosters better relations with all stakeholders, thereby increasing awareness and use of departmental services.
IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:
Building and Supporting Teams: Provide a team roster with strengths and a project goal. Ask the candidate to assign responsibilities and explain why. (Assesses: Recognizes coworkers’ strengths; Delegates appropriately; Supports collaboration; Acts in the best interest of the team).
Communicating Effectively: Provide a short, unclear email and ask the candidate to rewrite it so it is clear and easy to understand. (Assesses: Communicates main ideas in logical order; Uses clear, direct language; Produces organized writing with minimal errors).
Thinking Critically: Provide a scenario with multiple sources of information that may conflict. Ask the candidate to analyze and recommend a course of action. (Assesses: Selects key information and organizes it; Applies criteria like relevance and credibility; Draws logical conclusions from credible evidence).
Minimum Qualifications
Three years of experience in public relations, journalism, marketing, content creation, social media management, or graphic design; OR
Six years of full-time experience in any field; OR
A bachelor's degree.
Experience Substitution:
Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Details:
Job Duties and Other Information
- Write, edit, and distribute press releases. Maintain media contact lists. Track coverage and monitor media activity. Respond to media inquiries as directed and support proactive media engagement.
- Use the agency content management system, intranet tools, and social media platforms to publish clear and accurate information.
- Coordinate with the Internal Communications Officer on social media planning and execution to ensure alignment of internal and external messaging.
- Work with agency programs, regional partners, and department leaders to develop communication materials that advance LA Works priorities.
- Support executive leadership in developing and delivering crisis communication plans for natural or man-made incidents.
- Ensure clear guidance is delivered to both the public and staff, in collaboration with the Internal Communications Officer.
- Prepare Louisiana Works informational packets, legislative briefings, partner materials, and event-specific content for external stakeholders.
- Draft presentations, speeches, and talking points for LA Works leadership.
Position Specific Details:
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Appointment Type: Probational / Job Appointment / Promotional / Detail to Special Duty
Career Progression Group: Public Information Officer 1 / Public Information Officer 2 / Public Information Officer 3
Please click on the links below to learn more about each job level:
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 1
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 2
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER 3
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the
“Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
All applicants selected for employment must submit to drug screening and a background check.
For Further Information About This Vacancy, Contact:
Heather Courville
heather.courville@la.gov
Louisiana Works is an equal employment opportunity employer and
SAME agency, which serves as a model employer for the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to
make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/
Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx
Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
- Mardi Gras,
- Good Friday,
- Memorial Day,
- Independence Day,
- Labor Day,
- Veteran's Day,
- Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
- Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement – State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):
- Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
- Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
- Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others
01
Do you have experience with public sector work experience
02
If Yes, Please describe your public sector work experience.
03
We believe good writing skills are essential for any job in communication. Do you agree or not? Can you please explain?
04
Building and Supporting Teams - How well do you work with others to achieve shared goals and contribute to a positive team environment?
- I avoid teamwork, create conflict, or don’t contribute.
- I contribute to team efforts with encouragement and guidance.
- I work well with others, contribute consistently, and support the team.
- I unite teams, build trust, and help others work through conflict.
05
Building and Supporting Teams - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
06
Communicating Effectively - How well do you share information and ideas in ways that others can understand, relate to, and act on?
- I communicate unclearly, use poor tone, and ignore the audience.
- I share main ideas clearly and adapt to the audience when reminded.
- I communicate clearly, listen actively, and explain complex ideas well.
- I craft messages that connect, inspire, and drive action across audiences.
07
Communicating Effectively - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
08
Thinking Critically - How do you analyze information and draw meaningful conclusions from it?
- I miss key details or oversimplify information, and my conclusions may not be based on evidence.
- I try to analyze information, but I may overlook the relevance or credibility of my sources.
- I analyze key information, consider the evidence, and form logical conclusions based on credible sources.
- I uncover deeper insights by connecting different sources, questioning assumptions, and identifying patterns.
09
Thinking Critically - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
