Public Relations Specialist II

Public Relations Specialist II in 83 - STATEWIDE, MS | GovernmentJobs.com page has loaded. State of Mississippi $49,000.00 - $62,816.56 Annually Location 83 - STATEWIDE, MS Full-Time Job Number 9112-0134-20261007STW Opening Date 10/07/2026 10/20/2026 at 11:59 PM Central Time (US & Canada) Agency Minimum Salary $49,000.00 $62,816.56 About the Agency The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) is a state agency dedicated to helping Mississippians with disabilities to live and work independently. MDRS serves through four major programs: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind (VRB), Office of Special Disability Programs (OSDP), and Disability Determination Services (DDS). Services also include support through Assistive Technology, the Office of Business Development, and much more. It is the mission of MDRS to provide appropriate and comprehensive services in a timely and effective manner. Programs and services assist individuals with disabilities to gain employment, retain employment, and to live independently. MDRS is always looking for qualified and passionate employees to help fulfill its mission. The Public Relations Specialist II supports the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) Traumatic Brain Injury/Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund by coordinating public awareness, prevention, education, outreach, meeting, and data activities. Under the direction of the Trust Fund Coordinator, the employee develops accurate and accessible communications, assists with statewide initiatives and community events, maintains program records and performance data, and serves as a professional liaison with partners, grantees, council members, stakeholders, and the public. — Essential Functions include, but are not limited to: Initiative coordination and outreach: Assist with planning, scheduling, promotion, implementation, documentation, and follow-up for Trust Fund initiatives, including PROM, Don't Fall Y'all, Protect the Player, MS Boost, Pass It Forward, and Be Good to Your Head helmet distribution, as well as future prevention and awareness activities. Public information and communications: Research, draft, edit, and distribute approved educational materials, news releases, talking points, presentations, web and social media content, event notices, correspondence, and stakeholder updates consistent with MDRS policies and accessibility standards. Community events and material distribution: Coordinate event logistics, registration, supplies, displays, inventory, participant materials, referrals, and distribution records; represent the program at meetings, conferences, schools, community events, and partner activities as assigned. Advisory Council support: Assist with Trust Fund Advisory Council meeting calendars, notices, agendas, packets, presentations, attendance, minutes, action-item tracking, member communication, records retention, and meeting logistics in accordance with agency procedures and applicable public-meeting requirements. Data collection and reporting: Create and maintain accurate tracking tools; collect, validate, enter, reconcile and summarize initiative, outreach, distribution, referral, participation, and outcome data; support dashboards, quarterly and annual reports, legislative or leadership requests, and continuous quality-improvement efforts. Partner and grantee coordination: Communicate with Trust Fund subgrantees, vendors, schools, health and safety partners, state agencies, and community organizations; gather program updates and documentation; route questions and requests to the appropriate staff; and monitor assigned deliverables. Administrative support: Support the Trust Fund Coordinator with calendars, correspondence, purchasing and travel documentation, meeting preparation, contact lists, files, reports, presentations, and other program priorities. Maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive information. Other duties: Perform related work as assigned, including travel and work outside normal business hours for approved events or meetings. What you'll need to be Successful This position requires excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and public-presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex program information in clear, audience-appropriate language; Knowledge of public relations, community outreach, media and social media practices; Strong organizational and project-coordination skills; ability to manage multiple deadlines, events, partners, records, and follow-up items with limited supervision; Ability to collect, quality-check, analyze, summarize, and present program data accurately using spreadsheets, databases, forms, and reporting tools; Proficiency with Microsoft 365; experience with content-development, design, survey, data-collection, and social-media tools is desirable; Ability to work respectfully with people with disabilities, survivors and families, advisory bodies, public officials, service providers, educators, and diverse communities; Sound judgment, attention to detail, discretion, adaptability, teamwork, and commitment to accessible and inclusive communication. Preferred Qualifications Typically requires a Bachelor's degree and 1-2 years of relevant experience. — Hiring Agency Prefers: A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Public Health, Public Administration, or a related field. Experience with public awareness, health promotion, disability/rehabilitation, grant-funded, or community programs; stakeholder coordination; data tracking and reporting; social media and presentations; and event or inventory coordination. Address 210 East Capitol Street Suite 800 Jackson, Mississippi, 39201 #J-18808-Ljbffr