Communications and Public Records Assistant

Title: Communications & Public Records Assistant

locations

Wake County, NC

time type

Full time

job requisition id

JR-119880

Agency

NC State Highway Patrol

Division

NC State Highway Patrol

Job Classification Title

Information & Communications Spec I (S)

Position Number

65042865

Grade

NC10

About Us

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol's primary mission is to reduce collisions and make the highways of North Carolina as safe as possible. The NCSHP has more than 1,600 troopers who cover nearly 80,000 miles of North Carolina roadways, more than any other state except Texas. In addition to enforcing the state's traffic laws, state troopers also guide traffic during hurricane evacuations, re-route traffic around hazardous chemical spills, and they stand ready should any act of terrorism occur. State Troopers are committed to protecting North Carolina's motoring public.

Description of Work

Help tell the story behind North Carolina's premier law enforcement agency by creating clear, accurate, and engaging communications while supporting transparency through public records services.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) is seeking a Communications and Public Records Assistant to support the Public Information Office. This position assists with preparing and distributing public information, developing communication materials, responding to public records requests, maintaining digital content, and supporting media and community outreach initiatives. The position also assists with researching, writing, editing, and coordinating communications that promote the mission of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol while ensuring compliance with applicable public records laws and agency policies.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

This position is deemed eligible for hybrid telework under SHP’s Telework Policy.

Salary Grade: NC10

Recruitment Range: $39,244 – $54,000

**Note: The Recruitment Range reflects the anticipated hiring range for this position based on available budget, candidate qualifications, and internal equity. Most candidates can expect an offer up to this range.

This position is located at:  

512 N. Salisbury Street

Raleigh, NC 27604

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.

Management Preferences (Optional): These skills are not required but managers may choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences.

• Demonstrated knowledge of communications, journalism, public information, or publication principles and practices.
• Demonstrated experience responding to public records requests and/or processing public records in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
• Demonstrated experience using document redaction software or similar electronic records management tools.
• Demonstrated knowledge of North Carolina Public Records Law and applicable General Statutes.
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills, including editing and preparing professional communications.

Key Responsibilities including but not limited to:

• Prepare, edit, and distribute news releases, media advisories, feature stories, and informational materials.
• Assist with responding to public records requests in accordance with North Carolina Public Records Law and agency policy.
• Develop written communication materials for internal and external audiences.
• Assist in maintaining digital communications, publications, and other informational resources.
• Coordinate communication efforts with agency personnel and external stakeholders as assigned.

Position/Physical Requirements:

• Typical work schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Note: Qualified recommended applicant(s) must undergo and successfully pass:

• Criminal Background Investigation
• Drug Screening Test

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, journalism, English, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution

OR

Associate's degree in communications, public relations, public affairs, journalism, English, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution

AND

two years (2) of directly related experience in communications, public relations, public affairs, journalism, public information, or publicity work;

OR

High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) diploma

AND

four years (4) of directly related experience in communications, public relations, public affairs, journalism, public information, or publicity work;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence.

The Mission of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is to protect our State with integrity, loyalty, and professionalism. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol will excel as a national leader in public service through innovative law enforcement, strategic preparedness, and community engagement.

The primary purpose of the State Highway Patrol’s Public Information Office is to develop, coordinate, and implement communication strategies and initiatives that advance the Department’s mission and enhance internal and external stakeholders’ awareness and understanding of the Department’s policies and functions. These responsibilities include managing crisis communications, data requests, public records requests, and state, national, and international media inquiries. The office also manages the perception and branding of the State Highway Patrol (SHP), responds to public records requests, and coordinates external communications with stakeholders, partners, and the people of North Carolina.

The director and deputy directors regularly must consult with the governor’s office, managers, subject matter experts, legal counsel, and other agency leaders when working on projects, program development or topics generating public and media interest. In addition, there is a continuous effort to educate the public and publicize the many services SHP provides and the exceptional work done by our employees.

The role of the Public Information Office is to help ensure that there is consistent and accurate messaging and that all divisions/sections involved are communicating and responding appropriately.

We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace.  NCSHP supports pay equity for women, establishes paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.

Be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.  "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted. 
  
Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. 

Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application, to support your answers.

If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.
 
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.  

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.  If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Veteran’s and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), NCSHP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, NCSHP will ensure that persons with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.
 
Employment Eligibility
It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and NCSHP that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) before or on the first day of employment.   We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.