Information Specialist (Austin)

ABOUT THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION:
TWC connects people with careers all over the state. While we are headquartered on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol in Austin, we operate statewide to promote and support an innovative workforce system. Our mission is to create value and offer employers, individuals, and communities the opportunity to achieve and sustain economic prosperity. This position is located at 101 E. 15th Street, Austin, TX.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Are you a storyteller who wants to help your co-workers understand our agency’s noble public service mission? Are you an accomplished deadline writer who is just as comfortable crafting a policy brief or an all-employee executive announcement as you are writing an engaging wellness newsletter?

The Texas Workforce Commission is seeking a creative and collaborative communications professional to join our Human Resources Department as an Information Specialist III. This role focuses on agency-wide internal communications, employee engagement, and organizational storytelling.

WHO YOU ARE:
You are a mission-driven storyteller with a passion for public service and a talent for uncovering the human stories behind agency operations. You know how to articulate organizational culture to elevate morale, build community, and inspire pride. Because exceptional communication relies on trust, you enjoy partnering with stakeholders to translate their strategic goals into impactful messaging. You thrive in a fast-paced environment, writing with speed, precision, and versatile tone agility. Whether drafting high-level executive messages, urgent agency-wide alerts, or engaging wellness features, your copy is always polished, universally accessible, and aligned with AP Style.

WHAT YOU WILL DO: 
The HR Internal Communications Specialist (Information Specialist III) performs highly complex (senior-level) informational and educational work. May supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

YOUR CORE CAPABILITIES:
- Internal Communications Strategist: You plan, research, write, and execute comprehensive internal communication plans that align with agency strategic priorities, HR milestones, and organizational change initiatives.
- Culture Champion: Embed TWC’s mission and values into everyday communications to foster morale, retention and pride.
- Stakeholder Advisor: You build strong consultative relationships with internal stakeholders and cross-functional teams to identify communication opportunities, clarify key messaging, and support agency initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE. SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
- Principles, methods, and best practices of employee communications, internal public relations, and organizational engagement.
- Employee life-cycle communications, and employer brand storytelling.
- Agency functions, organizational structures, and human resources policies and procedures.
Skill in:
- Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication, with an ability to translate complex HR policies into accessible, relatable language.
- Editorial design concepts, visual layout, and digital asset preparation for internal distribution.
- Stakeholder management, interviewing subject matter experts, and facilitating consensus among diverse working groups.
Ability to:
- Work independently with limited supervision while coordinating closely with team members and internal partners.
- Set priorities, manage shifting deadlines, and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment.
- Build and maintain productive working relationships with management, staff, and external contacts.

YOU QUALIFY WITH:
- Three years of full-time experience in positions involving such activities as writing, scripting, editing, media relations, journalism, public relations, advertising, preparation of public information releases and reports, and other news materials, or performing related activities in a public or private enterprise. 
- Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Proven experience writing internal communications for large, geographically dispersed employee populations.
- Direct experience writing, reviewing, or interpreting HR policies and state agency guidelines.
- Experience conducting state agency legislative analysis or translating legislative changes for an internal audience.
- Proficiency with GovDelivery (or similar mass-email platforms) and the AP Stylebook.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Security Sensitive Position: A position utilizing this classification is designated as security-sensitive according to Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042. This position conducts research, works on, or has access to critical infrastructure as defined in Section 113.001(2), Texas Business and Commerce Code. Candidates selected for hire must successfully undergo a comprehensive background check and continuous monitoring in order to maintain the security and integrity of critical agency infrastructure.
- Military Crosswalk: Military occupational specialty codes that may align with this position (such as Army: 46A, 46S; Navy: MC; Air Force: 3N0X6, 3N0X5; Marine Corps: 4591; Coast Guard: PA) can be accessed via the state-wide Military Crosswalk for Public Information and Media Relations occupations.

YOU GAIN: 
- A Family Friendly Certified Workplace
- Competitive salary: $5,250.00/month 
- Defined Retirement Benefit Plan 
- Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts 
- Medical Insurance 
- Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave 
- Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits 

Duty involves up to 10% travel within the state of Texas.

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_InformationandCommunication.pdf 

HOW TO APPLY: 
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, now or in the future, for this position. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals currently on H-1B, F-1 (OPT/CPT), or H-4 visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.