communications & public affairs manager

GRADE

19\r

LOCATION OF POSITION

Office of Social Equity, Linthicum, Maryland\r

Main Purpose of Job

The Communication and Public Affairs Manager position is in the Office of Social Equity (OSE), an independent executive agency formed out of the Cannabis Reform Act of 2023. The OSE reports directly to the Governor's Office and does not have a reporting relationship to, or through, the Maryland Cannabis Administration. The selected candidate for this position will report to the Chief Strategy Officer of the OSE. This role is crucial in supporting our mission to provide resources and support for historically disadvantaged individuals and businesses seeking to enter the Maryland adult-use cannabis industry.�\r
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This position will oversee, plan and direct all communication operations for the Office of Social Equity (OSE). This position will be responsible for executing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive communication programs in order to support the mission and branding of the OSE. This position will also be responsible for the areas of media relations; internal and external communications; publications; campaigns; website management; graphic design; requests for public information; marketing; and community relations.�Additionally, this position will be responsible for crisis communication management.�\r
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The Communications and Public Affairs Manager will collaborate strategically to advance social equity initiatives, navigate legislative processes, and ensure effective communication with communities which are disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. The Communications and Public Affairs Manager will also support the OSE's brand development by executing strategies to communicate and promote OSE's success stories in the first year (agency development), as well as in the next one to two (1-2) years (Maryland Cannabis industry is accessible and inclusive for disproportionately impacted communities; every Marylander has access to this opportunity) and any ongoing and long-term success stories (Maryland Cannabis industry is much more representative of the State of Maryland; the stigma of cannabis use is eliminated).\r
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With an equity-driven approach, this position will promote access, inclusion and diversity within the Maryland Cannabis Industry. The Communications and Public Affairs Manager will actively advocate for increased participation in the regulated industry by individuals from communities which are disproportionately affected by cannabis criminalization.\r
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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:�Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university�\r
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Experience:�Six (6) years of professional experience in human services, with 3 years at the managerial or supervisory level.�\r

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

The selected candidate must have a minimum of five (5) years of experience working in the news media spectrum.\r
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DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The desired candidate should have professional experience working in a 'startup' environment. The desired candidate should also have experience managing strategic communications, including managing social media profiles or pages, and familiarity with, or direct experience using, the SharePoint Server 2019 Microsoft Office program.\r
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Additionally, the desired candidate should have experience writing briefings and talking points, along with experience pitching and telling stories. Finally, the desired candidate should have professional graphic design experience.\r
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SELECTION PROCESS

This is a Management Service position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority. A resume must accompany your application.\r
Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application, based on your education, training and experience, as they relate to the requirements of the position.�Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.�Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work.�Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview).�\r
Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date.�Information submitted after this date will not be added.�\r
Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.�\r
Candidates may remain on the�certified eligible list for a period of at least one year. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this, or other, State agencies.\r

BENEFITS

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract, and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits.�\r
You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.\r
Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12-month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.\r

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online,�the paper application (and supplemental questionnaire) may be submitted to MCA, Office of Human Resources, 849 International Drive, Linthicum, Maryland Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment.� No postmarks will be accepted.\r
If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.�Only additional materials which are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.\r
For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact MCA's Office of Human Resources, at or You may also reach us via email, at \r
If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at or��\r
Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by calling: or MD TTY Relay Service, at \r
We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.\r
People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.\r
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.\r