Job Posting 1-27

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Texas State Securities Board is seeking an experienced communications and outreach professional to serve as its Investor Education and Communications Coordinator.

Reporting directly to the Securities Commissioner, this position leads the Agency's statewide investor education program and supports its mission to protect Texas investors through public education, financial literacy initiatives, strategic outreach, and effective public communications.

The coordinator develops and delivers investor education programs throughout Texas, creates educational and public-facing content, manages the Agency's social media presence, coordinates press releases and other external communications, and builds partnerships with government agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, and other stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be an effective writer and public speaker who can translate complex investment, financial, and regulatory topics into clear, accurate, and engaging information for diverse audiences. The position requires substantial interaction with the public and Agency leadership, government officials, community organizations, industry participants, media representatives, and other external stakeholders and involves regular travel, approximately 30%-40%, throughout Texas, including occasional overnight travel. Some evening and weekend work may be required to support conferences, community events, presentations, and other outreach activities. 

**Office location choice of Austin, Dallas, or Houston (please specify choice on the application.) The coordinator will be supervised from the Austin office and report directly to the Securities Commissioner. Chosen applicant must reside in Texas.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, implement, and manage the Board's statewide investor education program and financial literacy initiatives.
• Identify and pursue grant opportunities supporting investor education initiatives; prepare and coordinate grant applications; and administer, track, and report on grant funded investor education activities in accordance with the applicable grant requirements and Agency procedures.
• Develop an annual outreach strategy and maintain a statewide calendar of investor education events, presentations, campaigns, and partnership opportunities.
• Plan and deliver in-person and virtual presentations to community organizations, schools, businesses, senior groups, veterans, professional organizations, and other audiences throughout Texas.
• Develop investor education and public communications materials, including investor guides, brochures, presentations, investor alerts, website content, newsletters, educational campaigns, and social media content. 
• Manage and develop content for the Agency's social media platforms and identify opportunities to expand the Agency's digital outreach.
• Draft and assist with drafting press releases, public statements, investor alerts, and other external communications.
• Coordinate the Agency's internal review and approval process for public communications by circulating drafts, incorporating revisions, and obtaining appropriate approval.
• Distribute approved press releases and public communications through GovDelivery, the Agency's website, social media platforms, and other approved channels. 
• Coordinate responses to media inquiries and assist Agency leadership with media relations, interviews, public statements, and other external communications as directed.
• Work with Enforcement, Registration, Inspections and Compliance, and other Agency staff to identify emerging investor protection issues and develop timely educational materials and public awareness campaigns.
• Monitor emerging investment products, fraud trends, scams, and investor protection issues and recommend appropriate investor education initiatives, alerts, and outreach campaigns.
• Take photographs and develop appropriate visual content at Agency events for use in social media, publications, presentations, and other Agency communications.
• Coordinate the Board's participation in investor education initiatives with North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), other government agencies, and partner organizations.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with state and local government agencies, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement agencies, financial professionals, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the Agency at conferences, community events, financial literacy programs, and other public outreach activities.
• Track outreach activities and program performance, prepare reports, and evaluate the reach and effectiveness of investor education initiatives.
• Draft speeches, talking points, briefing materials, presentations, correspondence, and other communications for the Securities Commissioner.
• Assist with communications planning for significant Agency initiatives, enforcement matters, investor alerts, and other matters of public interest.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (License, Education, Experience):

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in communications, public administration, business, finance, economics, marketing, education, journalism, digital media, or a related field. 
• At least three years of professional experience in communications, public outreach, investor or financial education, consumer protection, financial services, securities regulation, public affairs, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing, creating, editing, and publishing content for websites, social media platforms, or other public communications.
• Demonstrated experience communicating complex information clearly and accurately to the public or other nontechnical audiences.
• Experience delivering presentations or speaking before groups.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience with securities regulation, investing, financial services, consumer protection, or financial education.
• Experience developing or coordinating public awareness, educational, or community outreach campaigns.
• Experience working with media, drafting press releases, or supporting public relations or public affairs activities.
• Experience developing digital or visual content using Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, or similar tools.
• Experience working for or with a government agency, regulatory organization, nonprofit organization, or other public-service organization.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
• Experience identifying grant opportunities and preparing grant applications, proposals, or other grant-related materials, particularly for public education, financial literacy, consumer protection, or community outreach initiatives.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

The successful candidate must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain complex financial, investment, and regulatory concepts clearly to diverse audiences. The position requires strong public speaking, writing, editing, organizational, relationship-building, and project-management skills.

The successful candidate should also possess knowledge of social media and digital communications; the ability to develop engaging public-facing content; strong attention to accuracy and detail; sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive or nonpublic information; and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines with limited supervision.

The position requires the ability to work collaboratively with Agency leadership, attorneys, examiners, investigators, and other subject-matter experts while maintaining appropriate review and approval processes for Agency communications.

HOW TO APPLY (Application procedure, Special requirements):

To be considered for this position, you must submit (1) a completed standard state application, (2) a State Securities Board “Supplement To Application For Employment”, (3) copies of college transcripts for all listed colleges (school and degree awarded must be identifiable), (4) a writing sample of no more than ten pages, which can be a press release, blog post, or article, and at least two examples of original social media posts. The topic of your sample and examples are not limited to securities; you may use your judgment as to what kind of sample best showcases your abilities, and (5) a resume.

Applications and the Supplement form may be downloaded from the Agency website at https://www.ssb.texas.gov. The preferred method to submit completed applications, along with the Supplement, transcripts, writing sample, examples, and resume, is via email at human.resources@ssb.texas.gov. You may also mail to Human Resources, State Securities Board, P.O. Box 13167, Austin, Texas 78711-3167, or fax to 512-305-8327. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a standard state application or supplement. Applicants to be interviewed will be contacted by the Agency. Applications accepted for this position only.

PLEASE NOTE: All fields on the application and supplement must be filled out completely, using NA when applicable, and both documents signed. Transcripts should identify the college(s) and the degree awarded. Incomplete and/or missing forms, or unidentifiable transcripts will not be accepted by the hiring department.

Veterans, Reservist, or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position.

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Information and Communication