Communications Director

This position is in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (DMPSJ). This Office supports the Deputy Mayor by providing direction, guidance support and coordination to the District’s public safety agencies to develop and lead interagency public safety initiatives to improve the quality of life in the District’s neighborhoods.

Incumbent, as the Communications Director, responsible for planning, developing, and communicating the DMPSJ’s cluster programs, policies, and activities both internally throughout the District, as well as externally to the general public through news media, various constituencies, and municipal entities for DMPSJ. Incumbent has primary leadership and overall responsibility for achieving DMPSJ’s objectives in the areas of employee communications, information services, outreach services, and media and public relations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbent is responsible for strategic communications by helping to integrate the public relations and policy relating to the Office’s overall objectives; coordinating with the Mayor’s representatives on using Communications and public relations for the successful passage of Mayoral legislation; ensuring that communications on individual agency initiatives fit into the agency’s overall message; serving as the message coordinator among cluster agency Communications and Public Information Officers; and providing direction and leadership on cluster communication.

Attends press meetings and press briefings where the Deputy Mayor or an official reporting to the Deputy Mayor is a participant; monitors and whenever possible, records, public event/presentation whenever the Deputy Mayor or other staff members of the office participates/appears in media events, speech, and radio and television interviews. Reviews, evaluates, and provides detailed constructive feedback in writing to Deputy Mayor of the presentation.

Plans, implements, and oversees a strategic communications and engagement program for the DMPSJ’s initiative that furthers the DMPSJ’s mission, vision, strategy, and goals. Provides leadership and overall responsibility for achieving DMPSJ’s objectives in the areas of communication, information services, outreach services, media, and public relations.

Incumbent serves as principal liaison for responses to all media inquiries received by DMPSJ providing recognized authoritative advice to the Deputy Mayor; and other DC officials, as appropriate, regarding best approaches to public statements; public meetings; and overseeing media events.

Provides guidance and direction regarding the best approach on correspondence, publicly releasable information, and responses. Gathers facts and produces press advisories, press releases, policy, or factual statements, talking points and speeches for the Deputy Mayor, Chief of Staff, and other high-level officials, Op-Eds, various letters, including Letters to the Editor, and press releases and newsletters.

Provides advice and interpretation of policy, rules, legislation, and guidelines. Controls work results through staff meetings, conferences, technical reports, and program reviews. Makes recommendations for training and professional development of staff.

Qualifications and Education

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, the incumbent must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression. Specialized experience includes mastery knowledge of communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques, and interpersonal relations practices. Mastery knowledge in traditional public relations and media relations strategies and tactics - from concept to execution and follow up. Mastery knowledge of communication strategies and superior creative skills. Strong analytical, strategic, and creative skills to develop and implement public outreach programs; and skill in developing strategies to disseminate information. Superior ability to generate creative ideas, and the excellent analytical skills necessary to evaluate their effectiveness. Superior ability to manage multiple priorities and fast-paced work. Ability to effectively develop, organize, and present ideas and concepts to diverse groups, including government officials, journalists, analysts, and residents.

Licenses and Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

Work is performed in an office setting.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday, 8:15 am – 4:45 pm

Pay Plan, Series, Grade: MS-0301-14

Salary Range: $114,441 - $160,216 Per Annual, based on funding

Promotional Potential: None

Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service - (At-Will). All positions and appointments in the Management Supervisory Service serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

Position Designation: The position has been deemed security sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit check, traffic record checks, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.