Director of Communications – NUMBER: #2024-010

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree is required. A bachelor's degree in communications, Marketing, or a related field is preferred. Commensurate experience will be considered. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJ OPD) is seeking a talented and motivated Communications Director who is passionate about the legal system, public policy, and community relations. The director will create and manage communications strategies. Their ability to research, analyze information, and translate case data and statistics into human stories will be crucial in serving our agency and our clients. The Communications Director will serve as spokesperson for the office and be responsible for coordinating with management and in-house experts in promoting NJ OPD to members of the public, our clients, and our stakeholders. NJ OPD seeks dynamic applicants who want to make a real difference in the lives of those most in need yet who are unable to effectively advocate for themselves. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender represents individuals charged with indictable offenses in criminal court, offenses in youth court, children and parents in abuse and neglect and termination of parental rights cases and provides constitutionally mandated representation for indigent clients at voluntary and involuntary psychiatric commitment hearings. The Communications Director will report to NJ OPD headquarters in Trenton, New Jersey. Responsibilities of the position include:

• • Draft and review written deliverables such as media advisories, press releases, public statements, and press conference materials;
• • Serve as point of contact for media inquiries;
• • Serve as agency spokesperson and coordinate with management and subject matter experts on such inquiries when appropriate;
• • Create digital, video, audio, and print content;
• • Translate program data and research into compelling narratives for external pieces including press releases, speeches, and reports;
• • Create opportunities for proactive public relations that highlight NJ OPD' s accomplishments and underscore our values;
• • Coordinate with internal teams to ensure that messaging is consistent and aligns with organizational goals;
• • Craft social media presence on Linkedln, Facebook, Twitter and lnstagram;
• • Manage the design, composition, production, and publication of NJ OPD brochures, pamphlets, information packets, and other marketing materials, using our branding and voice; and
• • Analyze effectiveness of communications through analytics and providing recommendations for future programs that align with NJ OPD goals.

RESIDENCY LAW: PursuanttoN.J.S.A.52:14-7(L.2011,Chapter70),alsoknownasthe"NewJersey First Act," which became effective September 1, 2011, all persons newly hired by the Executive Branch on or after that date shall have one year from the date of employment to establish, and then maintain principal residence in the State of New Jersey. New Jersey State employees hired prior to September 1, 2011 who transfer from within Executive Branch or from another State of New Jersey  Appointing authority without a break in service greater than seven days but who reside outside the State of New Jersey are not required to change their principal residence to New Jersey in order to comply with the act. SAME APPLICANTS: If you are applying under the NJ SAME program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. For more information on the SAME Program visit the website at: https://nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml, email: SAME@csc.nj.gov, or call CSC at (609) 292-4144, option 3. *Special Note: This position may be eligible to work remotely for up to two days in a calendar week.* RESUME SUBMITTAL: Candidates possessing the requirements listed above, should forward a current resume and cover letter via email to OPD.Recruitment@opd.nj.gov (Note: Include the announcement number(2024-010) and title in the subject line) to: JOB POSTING AUTHORIZED BY· William Wander Human Resources Office of the Public Defender P.O. Box 850 Trenton,. N J . 08625-0850