About the Office of the Inspector General
Since its creation as the first state-level inspector’s general office in the country, the Office has been at the forefront of promoting effective government and the responsible use of public money and property. The Office is an independent agency charged with preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse in the use of public funds and public property. By statute, the Inspector General has broad authority to oversee the use of state, local and federal funds by state and local governments, as well as by those who receive government funds or use public property. This includes state agencies, counties, cities, towns, quasi-governmental authorities, and districts, as well as individuals, corporations and not-for-profit organizations that do business with the government.
The Office is led by the Inspector General of the Commonwealth, who is appointed by the Governor, Attorney General and Auditor “…solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, investigation or criminal justice administration.” (MGL, Chapter 12A, Section 2.) The Inspector General is responsible for guiding and leading the office; determining the balance between its education, training, and collaboration with its investigatory, compliance and enforcement functions; and balancing the focus among state and municipal engagement.
The Office is organized into nine business units, operates from two locations, employs approximately 80 staff, and has an annual budget of over $9M. Additional information about the Office may be found here: Welcome to the Office of the Inspector General | Mass.gov .
The Office enabling statute is Chapter 12A of the Massachusetts General Laws (Chapter12A). Further details may be found at Chapter 12A (malegislature.gov).
Communications Officer
In conjunction with the Inspector General, the First Assistant Inspector General and current staff (discussed below), the Communications Officer will be responsible for developing and executing overall external and internal communications strategies. This includes, but is not limited to developing key communications objectives and tactics; developing and managing internal communications in collaboration with the Inspector General and members of senior leadership; developing and cultivating media relations; developing and implementing office-wide visual design, branding and communications standards to assure consistent and professional presentation across all agency publications and interactions; preparing the Inspector General or other members of senior leadership for media interviews, appearances and events; assuring aligned delivery methods for the office’s various reports, newsletters, publications, emails and other communications; managing multimedia channels and tools to execute the delivery of internal and external communications; maintaining the Office’s website and social media accounts; and continually evaluating and improving the Office’s messaging, delivery methods and approach.
Responsibilities include:
- Strategic communications planning, media relations, message development, executive writing, web content coordination, social media coordination and brand identity development.
- Drafting and/or editing newsletters, publications, executive correspondence, news releases, website copy and social media content.
- Internal communications – developing, planning, scheduling and executing regular staff communications.
- External communications – evaluating current offerings; identifying areas of improvement and gaps in current offerings; and developing and implementing new offerings, including enhanced regular communications with media and stakeholders.
- Developing strategic messaging.
- Responding to media inquiries.
- Developing and cultivating media relations.
- Creating and enforcing unified, updated design and layout principles and standards across all Office materials, platforms and business units, including the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official program and the OIG Bulletin.
Key abilities, skills, and experience:
- Demonstrated communications expertise, including developing and implementing communications strategies and objectives, creating internal and external communications, and managing media relations.
- Experience with design and communications software.
- Broad understanding of modern communications design principles and the tools by which these can be created.
- Top-notch presentation skills.
- Project management and strict adherence to deadlines.
- Solid organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to collaborate with staff officewide.
- Experience managing and executing multiple tasks and responsibilities.
Other valued abilities, skills and experience include:
- Hands-on experience with graphic design, multimedia production (video/animation/audio), photography, email marketing copy and design, web analytics and newsletter layout.
- Bilingual abilities.
Salary Range: $75,000 – $85,000
Benefits Package:
We value our employees and offer benefits that support their lives and well-being, while promoting an environment focused on inclusion, flexibility, professional growth, trust and respect. The Office therefore is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package for its employees. The specific components and eligibility may vary based upon position, hours worked per week and other variables. Consequently, specific benefits for this position may be discussed as part of the interview and offer process.
The overall benefits available include paid vacation; sick and personal leave time; health, dental and vision insurance through the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission; and optional pre-tax health savings account plans. To view the details of the various plans and the cost split between employer and employee, go to the Group Insurance Commission website: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/group-insurance-commission.
Employees also participate in the Commonwealth’s state retirement plan, which may become a defined benefit plan for those that both vest and subsequently retire from state service. Follow this link for additional retirement information:
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-state-retirement-board.
In addition, the Office provides employees the opportunity to elect life insurance, long-term disability insurance, deferred compensation savings, tuition remission, pre-tax commuter account plans, along with other programs.
This position may be eligible for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program administered by the federal government.
How to Apply:
Submit cover letter and resume via email or by mail by March 3, 2023, to:
Mary Beth Farrelly, Chief Financial Officer
Office of the Inspector General
One Ashburton Place, Room 1311
Boston, MA 02108
IGO-employment@mass.gov
Please Note: Because we value the health and safety of our employees, all Office employees (absent an approved medical or religious accommodation) must be fully vaccinated, including a booster, against COVID-19. Before their first day of work, the successful candidate will need to provide proof of full vaccination (two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine plus a booster dose of either or one dose of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine plus a booster dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine) or a request for a reasonable accommodation based on a valid medical or religious reason.
Diversity Officer:
Mary Beth Farrelly
The Office of the Inspector General is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. The Office does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. The Office promotes access, inclusion, and diversity for all staff, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding working environment and in keeping with its mission. The Office actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workforce and is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
To apply for this job email your details to IGO-employment@mass.gov