Communications Director

This position is in the Office of the City Administrator (OCA). This Office has direct oversight over all executive-reporting agencies and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the District government, setting operational goals and implementing legislative actions and policy decisions. The goal of OCA is to support the Mayor’s mission to deliver the best possible public services to the residents of the District of Columbia while transforming the nation’s capital into the best-managed city in the United States. OCA is also responsible for preparing the District's annual operating and capital budgets, monitoring agency performance, and facilitating the effective and efficient implementation of the Mayor’s policies.

This position serves as principal spokesperson for responses to all inquiries received by OCA, providing recognized authoritative advice to the City Administrator; and other DC officials, as appropriate, regarding best approaches to public statements; public meetings; and overseeing media events. This position is responsible for planning, developing, and communicating the OCA’s 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. This position requires incumbent to be highly motivated, detailed, and goal-oriented, who possess demonstrated abilities and skills in the performance of high level internal and external communications, as well as public and media relations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Plans, implements, and oversees a strategic communications and engagement program for the OCA’s initiative that furthers the OCA’s mission, vision, strategy, and goals. Provides leadership and overall responsibility for achieving OCA’s objectives in the areas of communication, information services, outreach services, media, and public relations. Provides guidance and direction regarding 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 City Administrator, Mayor, and other high-level officials, Op-Eds, various letters, including Letters to the Editor, and press releases and newsletters. Interacts with the press through fielding media calls; coordinating press releases and requests, speaking on behalf of the OCA; making officials available for comment; preparing them for interviews; and proactively releasing stories to local and national media outlets. Plans and organizes press conferences and other events and programs. Implements marketing support programs and materials, such as electronic media, advertising, printed materials, market research; and participates in statewide marketing and promotional partnerships.

Oversees strategic communications including issues /crisis response by predicting problems before they arise and laying out a strategic direction and focused course of action to solve them; and outlining a focused course of action for problems once they arise. Works with the OCA and external vendors to produce high quality, branded marketing materials (all mediums) that showcase the OCA’s accomplishments. Develops a long-range strategic communications plan to improve and sustain agency missions. Develops and executes short and long-term marketing, communications, and public relations strategies on behalf of the City Administrator. Attends press meetings and press briefings where the City Administrator is a participant; monitors public events/presentations whenever the City Administrator or other staff members of the OCA participates/appears in media event, speech, and radio and television interviews. Reviews, evaluates, and provides detailed constructive feedback to the City Administrator. Oversees OCA website updates, including headline rotation, the addition of new content, and/or the removal/refreshment of old and/or outdated information. Uses a variety of methods and techniques in achieving communication goals, such as news releases, radio, and television scripts, feature articles, personal appearances, news conferences, exhibits, brochures, pamphlets, social media, etc., and schedules city officials for special appearances.

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 perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

A degree is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is sedentary and typically performed in an office setting. However, attendance at designated meetings on days, evenings, and weekends may be required.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Monday- Friday; 8:15 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: MS-1001-14

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.

Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service (MSS), “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 (Non-Union): This position is not covered under a collective bargaining unit.

Essential Designation: This position has been designated as Essential pursuant to Chapter 12 of the DC personnel regulations.

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.

Residency Requirement Statement: 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.

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.