Staff writer

Staff Writer Position Overview:

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) is looking for a Staff Writer to join our Communications team. This is an exciting opportunity to help share the stories and successes of the people we serve, while supporting OOD’s mission to empower Ohioans with disabilities through employment and independence.

In this role, you’ll help plan and manage public information efforts for the agency. You’ll write, edit, and review a variety of content, including participant success stories, press releases, newsletters, and social media posts. You’ll also help develop materials for disability awareness campaigns and other outreach efforts. Your work will involve collaborating with program leaders, service providers, and community partners to ensure our messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with agency goals.

You’ll be part of a creative and supportive team that values strong writing, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects. You’ll also help with administrative tasks like scheduling, records management, and processing invoices. This position requires strong communication and organizational skills, along with experience using Microsoft Office and other common office tools. A background in journalism, communications, or public relations is helpful, and the ability to work well with others is essential.

If you're passionate about storytelling and want to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Ohioans with disabilities, we encourage you to apply and become part of our mission-driven team.

Classification: Public Information Officer 1

OOD Office of Communications

The OOD Office of Communications works to advance OOD's brand reputation by promoting our programs, partnerships, initiatives, events, and people. The team's goal is to help the agency reach more people with disabilities who could benefit from OOD services.

Pay Information

Starting salary will be step 1, subject to law or union contract requirements. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. There are cost of living increases to these rates each year and additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Months of Employment

At Hire

6 months

18 months

30 months

42 months

Pay Range

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

EX 11

Hourly

$29.34

$31.03

$32.83

$34.68

$36.65

Annual

$61,027.00

$64,542.00

$68,286.00

$72,134.00

$76,232.00

Location Requirements

We are increasing our in-office presence to 5 days per week across all OOD locations as space permits. The transition timeline for each office is being determined and more information will be provided by the supervisor before the start date. Employees must reside at a location that allows for reasonable response time to workplace reporting requirements.

Daytime travel within Ohio may be required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver’s license.

Applications and Selections

All applicants must submit two writing samples with their online application to be considered for the Staff Writer position. One sample should demonstrate strategic messaging for external audiences (such as a press release, op-ed, success story, or newsletter article that aligns with organizational goals and communicates clearly to the public), and the second sample should demonstrate internal or stakeholder-focused communication (such as an internal newsletter article, executive briefing, or stakeholder update that shows clarity, tone alignment, and audience awareness). Submit through the Additional Attachments section of the application (Step 7) or via email to [email protected].

Please ensure your online application and work experience clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered. If you meet the MQs through education, transcripts are required for consideration by attaching directly on the Additional Attachments section of the application (Step 7) or via email to [email protected].

“See resume” is not a substitution for completing work experience and/or supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must also be supported by the work experience/education sections of the application. If "See Resume" is used in place of work experience, your application may not be considered.

Applicants can check their application status and all vacancy-related email correspondence on “My Jobpage.” On the Careers.Ohio.Gov job search webpage, once signed in the link to My Jobpage is displayed under the TeamOhio logo. Applicants who require technical assistance (e.g., issues logging in or other system-related issues) should contact [email protected].

The selection process consists of an online assessment and a remote structured interview. All communications are sent via email. Candidates should make sure their account contains an email address that is checked regularly including checking junk and/or spam.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Background Check

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

• Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

30 months experience in field of journalism or communication dealing in public multi-media techniques and relations, public speaking, news writing, reporting and editing or technical report translation and communication dealing in public meetings AND a valid driver's license.

• Or completion of undergraduate core program in journalism or communication AND 6 months experience in public multi-media techniques and relations in field of journalism or communication AND valid driver's license.

• Or 12 months experience as Public Information Specialist, 64420 AND valid driver's license.

• Or equivalent of education and/or experience per Minimum Class Qualifications noted above.

Job Skills: Communications, public relations, copywriting, administrative support/services, social media management, technical writing, written communication, strategic thinking, attention to detail, cultural awareness

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is amongst the top-ranked state agencies implementing inclusive and accessible planning and programming into businesses operations and services. We strive to hire, sustain, and promote a workforce that not only embraces this mission but is also reflective of the Ohioans we serve.

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact [email protected] so proper arrangements can be made.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.