WRITER-MEDIA RELATIONS COORDINATOR, STATE COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION

Definition

Under the general direction of the Commissioners of the State Commission of Investigation, and the specific direction of the Executive Director and/or Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs, is responsible for various communications/media relations tasks including drafting talking points, press releases, memoranda and reports, and other internal and external publications; research and coordination with other state and federal government agencies; constant assessment of reported events that are of interest to the Commission; performance of special projects, including direct involvement in initiating, monitoring and evaluating specific investigations involving government waste, corruption and organized crime; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Participates with the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs in planning, organizing, writing, editing and distributing annual and interim reports and public statements.
• Participates with the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs in reviewing the form and content of statutory and regulatory reform proposals submitted to the Governor and Legislature.
• May draft policy papers, conduct research and assemble supporting data for use of the Commission in preparation for contact with Legislative Committees and the public on matters of concern, consistent with the activities and official functions of the Commission.
• Obtains, assimilates and presents to the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs information from various external sources regarding potential legislation recommended by the Commission.
• Participates with the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs in communicating information between the Commission and the Legislature, Governor, Attorney General and other federal and state agencies.
• Drafts policy papers, conducts research and assembles necessary supporting data and talking points for use by the Commission in its outreach activities; communicates with citizens groups and others concerned with the Commission's official functions, duties and objectives.
• Tracks legislative progress of bills effecting the Commission recommendations for corrective reforms and, at the request of the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs, attends and arranges for official agency appearances at Legislative Committee hearings.
• May generate support for implementing Commission reform proposals by interacting with the Legislature's staff, Governor's office staff, Executive Department staff, local officials, and other interested individuals, associations and organizations.
• Manages the content and display of the Commission's website.
• Grows, expands and oversees the Commission's presence online and on social media.
• May promote increased contact with prosecutorial agencies at all government levels.
• May develop outreach programs addressing minority concerns and the Commission's role in improving the general public welfare.
• At the request of the Assistant Director of Communications and Public Affairs and the Executive Director, drafts press releases on activities of the Commission; responds, as assigned, to media inquiries about the Commission. Processes other inquiries about the Commission from lawyers, public officials and citizens.
• May arrange public hearings, conferences, seminars, meetings and other official sessions of the Commission.
• Maintains a liaison with investigating agencies of other states and the federal government; reviews their reports and other activities from the standpoint of possible investigative actions by the Commission.
• Maintains a liaison with citizen crime commissions throughout the country; reviews their reports and other activities from the standpoint of possible investigative actions by the Commission.
• Maintains a record of the collateral results from the Commission's public actions, including prosecutions, legislative enactments and administrative reforms.
• Periodically reviews and updates past Commission reports to revive interest and determines if investigative findings made earlier persist and warrant further inquiry.
• Assists in reviewing major relevant news stories; maintain files on assorted subjects of direct interest to the Commission; keep the Commission informed on criminal justice developments and trends.
• Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism or related fields.

Experience

Five (5) years of experience in Journalism, Public Relations or a related field and with skills to produce polished and readable long-form investigative writing.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of editorial and operational policies of various media.
• Knowledge of the procedures involved to collect, analyze, and interpret complex, factual data.
• Knowledge of the problems encountered in using factual data obtained from various sources, drawing reasonable and current conclusions, and in making use of facts pertinent to specific cases in clear, concise, and informative articles, reports and news releases for publication.
• Ability to effectively write and edit correspondence, reports and other publications relating to Commission findings, analyses, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to plan, organize, select, and present information in a suitable format for presentation purposes and for use by varied public information media.
• Ability to manage social media accounts and website content.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.