County(ies):	Dane
Classification Title: / JAC:   Job Working Title:	COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST - ADVANCED 10-02961     Communications Specialist Advanced, Madison
Type of Employment:	Full Time (40 hrs/week)
Salary:	Starting salary is between $45,990 and $75,884 per year, depending upon qualifications, plus excellent benefits. (Note for current state employees: This position is in pay schedule 7, range 03. Pay and benefits upon appointment for current or former state employees may vary according to the applicable pay transaction provisions of the Compensation Plan, Wisconsin Administrative Code and/or collective bargaining agreement.) A 6-month probationary period is required.
Contact:	Shelley Ringelstetter, Human Resources Specialist, 608-266-1810, SMRjobs@dwd.wi.gov
Bargaining Unit:	Fiscal and Staff Services
Area of Competition:	Open
Deadline to Apply:	7/27/2010 The previous publication date was June 24, 2010. The previous deadline date was July 13, 2010.
Exam Information:	Exam cannot be previewed.

This position is located in downtown Madison Wisconsin and is with the Department of Workforce Development (DWD); Office of the Secretary. 

Special Notes:   Permanent positions are included in the Fiscal and Staff Services Bargaining Unit; a 6-month probationary period is required.  The names of eligible candidates may also be referred for consideration for Project Communications Specialist Advanced positions.  Those in project positions are not included in a bargaining unit and may not be eligible for all benefits available to a person in a permanent position.

Job Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:   
Knowledge of:
protocol in arranging news conferences and media interviews;  methods and techniques to effectively work with department personnel to develop public outreach strategies to gain support and understanding for agency programs and initiatives; techniques to develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of individuals, often in sensitive situations;  methods to gather facts and analyze complex situations; techniques to summarize and explain complex information clearly and concisely; Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint; methods to design, format, and write/develop graphic information and educational materials. 
Skill in:
using a PC in a Windows environment; using the Internet to obtain information.   Advanced written communication skills, including knowledge of correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure and language usage; extensive oral and written communications skill.  Effective oral communication skills, including public speaking. 
Ability to:
develop recommendation for policies and procedures for public information disclosure to the media; work with department personnel to develop, analyze, advise, and generate ideas for the department’s position on public policy issues and program initiatives;  analyze trends and events that will make news material; interact with complex government administration, individuals or groups; and ability to apply methods and techniques for analyzing and monitoring agency-wide news coverage and media relations; effectively write, articulate, and communicate the department’s position on key issues and initiatives in a manner which is understandable to the target audience;  handle stress and volatile situations; respond to media and public inquiries in a positive manner; to act as a liaison and source for information on the Department’s programs; work with diverse groups and individuals; establish positive working relationships with a variety of individuals, organizations and the news media; work effectively in team environments and secure cooperation and agreement in situations where conflicting objectives exist.

How To Apply:   
Apply Online!
 •  Step 1:  Create an account or enable your existing account in www.wisc.jobs
 •  Step 2:  Search for the job announcement 1002961 and click on the title.
 •  Step 3:  Click the “Apply Now” button at the top or bottom of the screen.
 •  Step 4:  Complete the Job Application screen and click "Continue."
 •  Step 5:  Complete the Job Preferences screen and click “Continue.” 
 •  Step 6:  A résumé is required to apply for this position.  Follow the prompts to    create a résumé or to upload an existing résumé and click “Continue.”
 •  Step 7:  Answer the questions and click “Save and Continue” at the bottom of    every page.  On the last page of the exam, click “Finalize Exam.
 Note:  If you do not click “Save and Continue” on each page or click “Save and Continue” within 20 minutes, wisc.jobs will time out and your answers will be lost.  We encourage you to prepare your answers in a word processing document and then copy and paste.  This will speed up your time in the exam and prevent lost answers.

OR

Apply by submitting all of the following:   a signed Application for State Employment (DER-MRS-38), a current résumé and a paper limited to three pages, describing your training and experience in the following three areas:
 (1) planning and implementing public communications, marketing, outreach, other similar  campaigns and strategies;
 (2) analysis of complex information (e.g. policies, procedures) and preparing materials that  summarize the analysis for distribution to a wide variety of audiences – including press releases  and speeches;
 (3) working with the media. 
For each of the above areas, be sure to include:  your role, level of responsibility, and length or duration of experience, type of organization in which your experience was gained, audience of the communication, type of issue(s) and type of media used.  Please respond to and label each of the three areas separately.  Send completed application materials to:  Shelley Ringelstetter; DWD/HRS; P.O. Box 7946; Madison, WI  53707-7946.

Incomplete application materials will not be considered.  Completed application materials must be received by Tuesday July 27, 2010.  Application materials will be evaluated and the more qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.