Press Assistant

Salary: $46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time
Job Number: N-2026-50613
Department: Pennsylvania State Police
Division: SP Cmncs Off
Opening Date: 07/15/2026
Closing Date: 7/24/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 05810
Position Number: 50300047
Union: Non-Union
Bargaining Unit: A3
Pay Group: ST05
Bureau / Division Code: 00205001
Bureau / Division: Communications Office
Worksite Address: 1800 Elmerton Avenue
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17110
Contact Name: PSP Human Resource Civilian Placement
Contact Email: View email address on click.appcast.io


THE POSITION
NOTE: THIS IS A REPOSTING OF N-2026-50613 WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY OPEN FROM JUNE 1, 2026 TO JUNE 5, 2026. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED TO REAPPLY.

Are you looking for a new opportunity to grow and serve? As a Press Assistant for the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), you will help craft accurate and engaging messages that reach communities across the state. This role offers a chance to build strong skills while contributing to a respected public safety organization. Apply now to join a team dedicated to protecting Pennsylvania's residents and visitors!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position supports the communications work of the Pennsylvania State Police by helping to create clear public messages. You will play a key role in building public understanding of the agency's programs and activities. As a Press Assistant, you will perform the following duties:

• Editing Support: Edit written materials for grammar, clarity, and proper style
• Publication Work: Prepare and design the Communicator newsletter and assist with layout and content
• Media Coordination: Help plan media events, prepare news releases, and support communication activities
• Social Media Monitoring: Monitor PSP's social media, as well as internal and external websites
• Department Interaction: Work with staff across the agency while maintaining confidentiality when needed

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of professional experience in public relations, editing, or journalism and an associate's degree with major course work in journalism, communications, English, or a related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• You must have at least one year of professional experience using Adobe InDesign.
• You must have at least one year of professional experience using Adobe Photoshop.
• You must be willing and able to work in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Professional experience in any of the following:
  • Providing information to the media
  • Coordinating conferences, press events, and public hearings
  • Initiating press calls to promote events
  • Preparing responses to the media
  • Preparing briefings for media events
  • Managing press events
  • Interacting with media and the public
  • Taking photographs for communications materials
  • Writing and editing the following communication pieces: press releases, newsletters, brochures, event briefings, operations memos, sound bites

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation and meet Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) compliance requirements.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.


Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*


Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01


How much full-time professional experience do you possess in public relations, editing, or journalism?

• 1 year or more
• Less than 1 year
• None

02


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
03


How much graduate coursework do you possess in journalism, communications, English, or a related field? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If your education was acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.

• 30 credits or more
• Less than 30 credits
• None

04



Additional Requirement - Do you have at least one year of professional experience using Adobe InDesign?

• Yes
• No

05


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
06



Additional Requirement - Do you have at least one year of professional experience using Adobe Photoshop?

• Yes
• No

07


If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
08



Additional Requirement - Are you willing and able to work in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania?

• Yes
• No

09



Preferred Qualification - Do you have professional experience in any of the following? Check all that apply.

• Providing information to the media
• Coordinating conferences, press events, and public hearings
• Initiating press calls to promote events
• Preparing responses to the media
• Preparing briefings for media events
• Managing press events
• Interacting with media and the public
• Taking photographs for communications materials
• Writing and editing the following communication pieces: press releases, newsletters, brochures, event briefings, operations memos, sound bites
• None

Required Question