Communications Specialist 13

Communications Specialist 13

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Communications Specialist 13

Salary

$31.99 - $47.75 Hourly

Location

To Be Determined - TBD, MI

Job Type

Permanent Full Time

Job Number

1801-26-UI-SP-033

Department

LEO-Labor and Econ Opportunity

Opening Date

03/05/2026

Closing Date

3/15/2026 4:00 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

NON-EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE (NERE)

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Job Description

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) administers the state's unemployment insurance program that provides temporary financial assistance to individuals who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Benefits are paid through taxes on employers covered under the Michigan Employment Security Act. Through teamwork, UIA serves as a leader in the customer-centric delivery of claimant and employer services with integrity and efficiency.

The position is responsible for overseeing high-level internal and external communication strategies and deliverables for UIA and effectively communicating about the various programs, products, services, and actions by the agency that affects public perception and overall awareness by staff and across Michigan among citizens, partners and stakeholders. The specialist collaborates proactively with the Communications Team and agency leadership, subject matter experts throughout the department, and external partners and stakeholders to identify the need for developing and executing strategic communications strategies and plans that cover public relations, media relations, social media, internal awareness, and partner/stakeholder communications. Duties will also include developing, organizing, implementing and creating content for current and future programs and initiatives as well as websites, newsletters, videos, infographics, promotional materials, presentations, talking points, community outreach, and other messaging tools as needed.

This position collaborates closely with the UIA Communications Manager to assist the UIA Executive Team with decision-making on how best to align content with the Department's goal of creating a national model for fast, fair, and fraud-free service through modernization and transformation. This position will work closely with the Strategy and Planning Division and Communications leadership to coordinate and oversee content strategies. The specialist is expected to become an authority on UIA programs and policies, and proactively communicate to internal staff and the public across any medium in the appropriate style and voice.

The specialist also is expected to stay current with best practices and emerging trends in strategic communications and proactively make recommendations to Leadership.

At the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, we are passionate about creating a positive, professional, and supportive work environment where we value our differences and are committed to being open and respectful to all our employees and the public we serve. Our department provides the connections, expertise and innovative solutions to drive continued business growth, build vibrant communities, create affordable housing, generate tourism and attract and retain key talent to fill Michigan's vast pipeline of opportunities. Learn more at

The work location will be either Detroit or Lansing depending on the selected candidate.

Position Description (

Required Education and Experience

Education

Possession of a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, broadcasting, telecommunications, advertising, or communication arts.

Experience

Four years of professional experience in the communications field equivalent to a Communications Representative, including two years equivalent to a Communications Representative P11 or one year equivalent to a Communications Representative 12.

Additional Requirements and Information

Please attach a cover letter, detailed resume, communication samples, and your official college transcript(s) to your application.

For our purposes, "official college transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred, date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal.A scanned or electronic copy is acceptable,if it contains the elements listed above. The college/university does not have to send the transcript directly to LEO. For more information regarding official transcripts,click here (693831\7.pdf) .

Applicants who possess a degree from a foreign college or university must have their academic credentials evaluated or converted into U.S. educational equivalents unless the degree has been recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Go to evaluators ( for a list of accepted organizations that evaluate foreign credentials. Failure to provide this evaluation at the time of application may result in you being screened out of the process.

Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.

All classified employees are subject toCivil Service Rule 2-8 Ethical Standards and Conductand will be expected to disclose any personal and financial interests that may conflict with official duties as a classified employee.

All newly hired state employees are required to submit and pass a pre-employment drug test prior to their actual appointment. Certain positions within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity may also require state criminal, fingerprint-based and driving record background checks. Any position offer will be conditional until results of the background checks and drug test indicate eligibility for employment.

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity participates inE-Verify ( and will provide the federal government with your form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Applications must be submitted through NEOGOV. If you have questions or need assistance uploading and/or attaching your documents, please contact the NEOGOV applicant support at 855-524-5627.

View the entire job specification at:

Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact theADA coordinator ( for the agency that posted this position vacancy.

State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.

More details on benefits for our new hires are below:

Rewarding Work:State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.

Insurance Benefits:The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at

Retirement Programs:The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at

Vacation and Sick Leave:Eligible full-time employees receive between15 and 35 personal daysand 13 sick daysper year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.

Paid Parental Leave:Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leaveimmediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.

Paid Holidays:Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.

Bonus Programs:Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.

Military Pay Differential:Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.

Tax-Advantaged Programs:In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.

Student Loan Forgiveness:Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information ( to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition Reduction:Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.

Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.

Alternative and Remote Work Schedules:Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.

Great Lakes and Great Times:Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.

Updated: 2/28/24

01

COMSPL - Do you possess a bachelor's degree or higher in English, journalism, communications, broadcasting, telecommunications, advertising, communication arts, public relations or a related field? If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts.

• Yes

• No

  02

COMSPL - Do you possess at least four years of professional experience in the communications field?

• Yes

• No

  03

Are you a current Labor and Economic Opportunity employee classified as a Communications Specialist 13, interested in lateral move to the same class and level at this location?

• Yes

• No

  04

How many years of experience do you have developing, executing and overseeing high-level communication strategies and deliverables?

• None

• Less than a year

• 1 to 2 years

• 3 to 4 years

• 5 or more years

  05

How many years of experience do you have working in an individual or team environment to effectively plan and execute effective communications.

• None

• Less than 1 year

• 1 to 2 years

• 3 to 4 years

• 5 or more years

  06

What types of communication mediums are you skillful in using and have implemented to raise awareness of an issue or organization?

07

Have you planned and executed an effective communication strategy to change public perception of a program or organization?

• Yes

• No

  08

Referring to question 7 - If Yes, Explain the situation, your strategy and its effectiveness. If you answered "no" type, N/A.

09

How has your background and experience prepared you to be effective in an environment where we see awareness of and respect for diversity as an important value.

10

Please note this application requires you to share communication samples, such as a publication, media release, or multimedia product that you have created. Did you add these communication samples?

• Yes

• No

  11

From the options below, which accurately describes your current status? (A current State employee works for an actual State Department such as Department of Corrections (MDOC), Department of Transportation (MDOT) etc.)

• Never been a State of Michigan employee

• A previous State of Michigan employee

• Current State of Michigan employee WITHIN the Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity (LEO)

• Current State of Michigan employee OUTSIDE of the LEO Department

  12

Did you attach a cover letter, resume, communication samples and a copy of your official transcripts? (Failure to do so may result in your application being screened from the process.)

• Yes

• No

  13

1801 Recruitment - To collect LEO recruitment effort data, please select from below how you learned of this job opportunity. We appreciate the feedback!

• College/University Career Services Office

• College/University Career Fair

• Employee Referral

• GONGWER Capitol Jobs Marketplace

• Handshake

• Michigan Civil Service Office of Career Services

• Michigan Works! Agency

• Other Job Posting Site (Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, etc.)

• Pure Michigan Talent Connect

• NEOGOV job alert

• Veterans Organization

• X (previously Twitter)

  14

1801 Recruitment - If you selected Other Job Posting, Veteran's Organization, or Employee Referral in the previous question, please identify the source or employee name for which you learned of this opportunity.

Required Question

Employer

State of Michigan

Department

LEO-Labor and Econ Opportunity

Address

[email protected]

PO Box 30714

Lansing, Michigan, 48909

Phone

517-241-9868

Website

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