Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Job Title: Outreach & Engagement Specialist

Job Requisition ID: 51942

Closing Date: 12/30/2025

Salary: $6,952 monthly

Work Location: Springfield, IL

Union Position: Yes

Work authorization: US work authorization required at time of application. No sponsorship available. Not eligible for STEM OPT. Positions are W2 only and cannot be converted to a contract position. 

Questions? Email doit.recruitment@illinois.gov

Transcripts are required for consideration.

Are you looking for a rewarding career with an organization that values their staff? The Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) is seeking to hire qualified candidates with the opportunity to work in a dynamic, creative thinking, problem solving environment. 

This position serves as the Outreach & Engagement Specialist planning, developing, administering and coordinating outreach, communications, and event programs for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT). 

In this role you will coordinate the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program, including delivering, promoting, and supporting effective STEAM instruction and related initiatives and respond to inquiries or requests from the media or various other sources that are related to the agency’s programs and services. 

In addition, you will maintain regular access to sensitive and confidential information. 

If you possess these knowledges, skills, abilities and experience, we invite you to apply for this position to join the DoIT Team!

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position)
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment)
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year
• 3 paid personal business days per year
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility

Essential Functions

• Under administrative direction, serves as the Outreach & Engagement Specialist for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), planning, developing, administering, and coordinating outreach, communications, and event programs and providing comprehensive support in internal campaign management, event planning, communications, and social media strategy, ensuring effective outreach and promotion of agency initiatives.
• Coordinates the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) program, including delivering, promoting, and supporting effective STEAM instruction and related initiatives.
• Responds to inquiries or requests from the media or various other sources that are related to the agency’s programs and services and researches, gathers, organizes, and composes information for the agency’s annual report.
• Maintains regular access to sensitive and confidential information and maintains files of source materials, news articles, and other documents for future reference. 
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with courses journalism, English, or public speaking.
• Requires two years (2) of supervisory experience

OR

• Requires three (3) years of professional experience in a public education and information program in a public or private agency.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Three (3) years of professional experience developing and implementing comprehensive communication and outreach strategies, including integrated campaigns, media relations, social media, and digital marketing within a large public or private organization.
• Three (3) years of professional experience planning, managing, and executing public events, educational programs, or community outreach initiatives, preferably with an emphasis on STEAM/STEM-focused audiences or technology awareness programs.
• Three (3) years of professional experience creating, editing and curating multimedia content, including graphics, video, social media posts, presentations, and newsletters tailored to diverse audiences using content creation tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator, Premiere Pro) or Canva.
• Three (3) years of professional experience using analytics and reporting tools to measure, report, and improve the performance of communication campaigns and audience engagement activities.
• Three (3) years of professional experience presenting, teaching, or facilitating workshops for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, or community-based audiences, with a focus on STEAM-topics, digital literacy, or workforce development.
• Extensive knowledge of utilizing content management systems (CMS), Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) or similar content management systems to manage digital content and public-facing websites.
• Demonstrated project management skills with the ability to coordinate multiple outreach initiatives, events, and stakeholder communications using tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or Asana.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with diverse internal teams, partner organizations, media contacts, vendors, and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills to effectively to develop persuasive messaging, executive briefings, event scripts, and public-facing reports.

Conditions of Employment

NOTE: Applicants must possess the ability to meet ALL of the following conditions of employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position.

• Requires the ability to verify identity.
• Requires employment authorization to accept permanent full-time position with the State of Illinois.
• Requires the ability to pass a position specific, agency required background check.
• Requires self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires the ability to use agency supplied equipment such as laptop, personal computer, work cell phone and any other required equipment or devices.
• Requires the ability to lift and carry objects or equipment weighing up to 10 pounds. This is considered sedentary work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(a)). Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and requires occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license and the ability to travel in performance of duties.
• Requires the ability to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, short notice, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• The conditions of employment listed are incorporated and/or related to any duties included in the position description.