Communications Officer

No Nevada state income tax. Job Summary The Communications and Policy Officer is a senior advisor to the Governor’s Technology Office executive team and a member of the GTO leadership team. The role ensures consistent, accurate, and professional communications from the CIO’s Office; leads enterprise technology communications; manages statewide IT policy development and governance; oversees legislative coordination; and supports public information, emerging technology engagement, responsible AI governance and strategic initiatives. This position serves as the primary connector between complex technology environments and the stakeholders affected by them—executives, agencies, legislators, media, statewide partners, and the public. It translates technical, security, policy, and operational information into clear, actionable guidance and public messaging. The role is both strategic and hands-on, frequently moving from high-level executive counsel to direct production of written, visual, audio, and multimedia content. The position carries substantial independence in communication strategy, policy processes, issue framing, and multi-stakeholder coordination. It may speak on behalf of the Office, supervises assigned staff, leads matrixed teams, and represents the Office and State CIO in public forums, legislative interactions, and statewide or intergovernmental initiatives. It serves at the pleasure of the State CIO. Essential Qualifications Five or more years of applicable experience as described in the job duties and graduation from high school or equivalent education. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in IT, information systems, communications, public policy, public administration, business administration, political science, journalism, marketing, cybersecurity, data governance, or a closely related field. Graduate education in relevant disciplines (information systems, public administration, public policy, business, communications, cybersecurity, law, etc.). Experience with communications and/or policy support. Experience in state, local, federal, Tribal, or public‑sector technology leadership. Experience serving as a spokesperson or leading executive, media, public information, or crisis communications. Experience writing or implementing technology policies, standards, procedures, guidance, or legislation. Experience in AI governance, privacy, cybersecurity, digital services, public records, procurement, or data governance. Experience supporting legislative sessions, bill tracking, testimony, impact analyses, or executive budget development. Experience designing or operating Microsoft 365 / Power Platform workflows, SharePoint governance, policy‑management systems, dashboards, automated intake, or digital‑signature processes. Experience developing or administering brand identity systems, style guides, logo standards, templates, or digital asset libraries. Hands‑on experience producing social media content, newsletters, podcasts, photography, executive videos, captions/transcripts, or Adobe Express / design products. Relevant credentials in project management, product ownership/Scrum, public information/emergency management, cybersecurity/CJIS, AI governance, change management, or privacy/data disciplines. Job Duties Enterprise Communications & Public Information (Major portion of role) Lead internal and external enterprise communications strategy and serve as senior spokesperson for statewide technology matters. Develop communication strategies for statewide IT initiatives, modernization, cybersecurity, AI, data governance, legislative priorities, service disruptions, and organizational change. Manage brand identity, digital content, multimedia production, social media operations, newsletters, and public‑facing materials. Translate highly technical, security, legal, policy, and operational concepts into accurate, accessible plain‑language communication. Lead crisis and incident communications during cyber events, outages, vulnerability disclosures, or major service disruptions. Produce, edit, and publish video, audio, podcast, photography, newsletters, executive briefs, digital assets, and public information. Administer statewide processes for drafting, reviewing, approving, publishing, maintaining, and retiring technology policies, standards, procedures, and guidance. Serve as Policy Coordinator and manage stakeholder review, legal compliance, version control, document histories, retention, and archival workflows. Ensure alignment with NRS/NAC, SAM, statewide security policy, public records requirements, procurement rules, accessibility standards, and retention schedules. Oversee automated policy‑management systems using Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power Automate, Adobe Sign, or successor tools. Coordinate legislative activities; analyze bills, budget actions, regulations, executive direction, and policy proposals affecting statewide IT. Prepare legislative testimony, briefs, analyses, fiscal/operational impacts, hearing materials, talking points, and follow‑up communications. Serve as an intergovernmental coordinator with the Governor’s Office, Legislature, agencies, local governments, Tribal governments, higher education, peer states, and national associations. Executive Operations & Strategic Projects Provide executive briefs, action registers, decision frameworks, performance narratives, strategic plans, and cross‑agency coordination. Supervise staff, contractors, interns, or matrixed contributors; provide direction, coaching, workload management, and quality assurance. Represent the State CIO and Technology Office in meetings, conferences, panels, public events, legislative activities, and intergovernmental forums. Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Knowledge Strategic communications, media relations, crisis communication, public information, policy development, and legislative processes. Enterprise IT, cybersecurity, shared services, cloud/SaaS, AI, data governance, privacy, procurement, project oversight, service management, and digital government. Nevada public‑sector authorities and constraints: NRS/NAC, SAM, public records and retention, statewide security policy, procurement, accessibility, open‑meeting requirements. Brand governance, digital asset management, accessible design, social media operations, multimedia production standards, and analytics. Skills Expert‑level translation of complex technical, cybersecurity, legal, policy, and operational issues into clear, plain‑language communication. High‑level writing, editing, facilitation, presentation, research, analysis, project management, and product‑owner skills. Proficiency with Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Forms, Power Automate, Power BI), Adobe Express, Adobe Acrobat/Sign, content‑management systems, podcast/audio workflows, video editing, captioning tools, photography workflows, and digital asset systems. High‑quality multimedia production across photo, video, audio, newsletters, web, email, social media, and templates. Abilities Manage simultaneous complex priorities, crises, shifting facts, sensitive issues, and tight deadlines while maintaining accuracy. Build trust, navigate difficult conversations, reconcile competing perspectives, and influence decisions without relying solely on formal authority. Protect sensitive information, apply sound records practices, and distinguish between public, internal, privileged, security‑sensitive, and restricted content. Independently plan, produce, edit, and deliver multimedia products that meet executive‑level quality standards. Maintain discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment at all times. The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages. Benefits Include Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP). Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year. Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year. Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year. Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full‑time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication. Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program. No Nevada state income tax. Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment. Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay. Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU). State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature. The Following Are Legal Holidays January 1.............................................. New Year's Day Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday Third Monday in February................ Washington's Birthday Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day July 4.................................................... Independence Day First Monday in September.............. Labor Day Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day November 11........................................ Veterans' Day Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day December 25........................................ Christmas Day When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255 #J-18808-Ljbffr