Job Specification Details

Communications, outreach, engagement, policy development and legislative relations at an executive level within the Vermont Agency of Education.
Provides leadership, counsel, and oversight of the Agency of Education’s (AOE) external and internal communications and policy development and advocacy work. Manages AOE Communications Team. Accountable for all top level AOE communications, as well as design, development and delivery of content and resources developed by other units of the Agency. 
Works with the Governor’s Office, General Assembly Leaders, and other key stakeholders on policy development and execution as the representative of Agency leadership. Manages AOE internal policy development process, and external legislative relations activities. Supervises AOE’s public information team and advises AOE staff on media relations. Provides trusted counsel for Agency and AOE Division leaders on policy and communications matters. Work is performed under the direction of the Secretary of Education.

Manages AOE’s Communications Team, with full accountability and oversight of media relations, digital communications (including but not limited to web content, email communications, and design and creative services), digital accessibility and language access, stakeholder relationship management, and policy development, tracking and communication.
Advises Agency Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and division leadership on communications and policy strategy, legislative relations, media relations, digital communications, and content development.
Identifies trends in media, policy, and national, state, and local education sectors and works with agency leadership and subject matter experts to develop key messages and response strategies.
Manages AOE media relations team and Public Information Officers (PIOs) and advises division leadership and subject matter experts on media relations.
Oversees AOE policy development, policy tracking and policy communications processes, supervises legislative liaison(s), advises on questions of policy and legislative initiatives, and acts as a general legislative spokesperson.
Supervises production of and maintains accountability for accessibility and language access of AOE content: digital presence, documents, resources, and publications.
Manages AOE’s strategic communications plan and AOE communications and policy procedures and guidelines.
Oversees content development processes and procedures for whole agency.
The work of this position includes significant supervision, management, and oversight of employees, including recruitment, onboarding and training, retention, and career development. Additional duties include liaison and advisory work, leadership, strategic planning and managing collaboration. Deliverables include but are not limited to media content such as press releases, media briefs and opinion pieces, presentations and speeches, training materials and resource documents, policy white papers and legislative testimony, and formal written communications such as memos, publications, and web content.

Duties are performed primarily in a standard office setting, or in the General Assembly during the legislative session, with travel for external meetings or field work, for which private means of transportation must be available. Some work outside of normal office hours may be required, as well as some out-of-state travel. This position is subject to State Personnel Policies and Agency of Education guidelines for telework, however significant in-person work will be required during the legislative session (roughly January 1 through May) annually.

Excellent writer, with skills and passion for clear, concise, and accessible communication.
Deep understanding of the theory and practice of public sector communications, and skills necessary to establish strategic priorities and intermediate goals.
Experience with and understanding of public policy development processes, and the major goals, factors, and elements.
Understanding of or experience with legislative relations, including experience with advocacy, policy lobbying, policy analysis, or legislative operations.     
Background in education policy or legislation, or similarly complex area of policy.
Considerable knowledge of legislative process.
Considerable knowledge of writing and communications techniques.
Significant experience as a public information officer, spokesperson or press secretary with deep familiarity with the forms of media relations content (e.g. press releases, Op-Eds, etc.)
Considerable knowledge of public relations, its theory and practice, and understanding of the methods, goals, and tactics of journalism.
Proven management and leadership experience, including experience recruiting, onboarding, supervising, and mentoring highly skilled communications professionals.
Strong knowledge of the principles and practices of good supervision, performance management and career development.
Strong human relations skills, and valuable knowledge of the theory and practice of public sector outreach and engagement.
Knowledge of strategic planning and the ability to conceptualize creative solutions to problems.
Strong knowledge of state government and legislative operations, including policy development and policy research and analysis.

Bachelor's degree or higher in marketing, communications, public administration, political science, policy, or related field AND six (6) years or more of experience in public policy, government relations, public sector communications, journalism, or public relations INCLUDING at least two (2) years in a supervisory or managerial role.

Master's degree in public administration, business administration, policy, education, media, communications, or related field.
Professional Certification(s) in leadership, management (e.g. VTLEAD, VTCPM), or communications and media relations (e.g., APR, FEMA PIO courses).