Job Summary
This position is located in the D.C. Department of Human Resources (DCHR), Office of the Director (OOD). The mission of DCHR is to provide comprehensive human resource management services that strengthen individual and organizational performance and enable the government to attract, develop and retain a highly qualified, diverse workforce.
This position functions as the Public Information Officer for DCHR, responsible planning, developing and communicating the agency'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 for the agency. Incumbent has primary leadership and overall responsibility for achieving the agency's objectives in the areas of employee communications, information services, and media and public relations.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Oversees internal and external communication matters for the agency, including handling inquiries from the press and constituents to include performing research, writing and/or liaison work on broad, critical program matters. Provides guidance in appropriate internal and external communications methodologies, including development of an overall communications strategy for the agency.
- Directly supervise and manage the internal communications team, providing direction, support, professional development opportunities and overseeing daily communication operations. Ensures the communication team executes DCHR’s communication vision and strategy ensuring that it aligns with DCHR’s mission, vision, and goals. Shares DCHR’s communication strategy and reviews/provides feedback to communication team on deliverables.
- Implements a variety of communicating strategies and public information campaigns that will successfully and efficiently inform District agencies, employees, and the public of human resource management services, programs, policies and activities. Executes strategic communication plans and programs as well as all public information data that will be used to reach targeted audiences.
- Develops and executes DCHR’s communication vision and strategy ensuring that it aligns with DCHR’s mission, vision, and goals. Shares DCHR’s communication strategy and reviews/provides feedback to Communication Specialists on deliverables. Provides needed training and support to Communication Specialists.
- Oversee and approve formal correspondence and/or testimony for council hearings, press releases, official statements and public meetings, ensuring clarity, coherence, and alignment with outlined agency objectives. Ensuring correspondence tailors to specific issues, agendas, and legislative topics being discussed in Council hearings or other forums.
- Oversees the development and utilization a variety of communication modalities to inform, involve and engage employees in the Department's mission, values and programs. Develops compelling and persuasive material (such as social media posting and graphics, brochures, issue papers, presentations, testimony, articles, web content, audiovisuals, and newsletters) to inform, educate and motivate key decision-makers and the public to understand and support the Department's mission, programs and policies.
- Formulates public information policies and operational procedures essential to the effective administration and coordination of all office services.
- Responds to public inquiries from special interested groups, as well as the public on DCHR's programs and services. Conceptualizes and develops text for communications material, including annual reports, program accomplishment reports, fact sheets, brochures, news releases, canned features, marketing video scripts, and web text.
Work Environment
Work is typically performed in an office setting.
Education And Experience
At least three (3) years of specialized supervisory experience in relevant field of work is required. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the candidate with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the work of the position that includes Mastery knowledge of the principles of effective communications and mass media, public relations, advertising, community relations, and government relations as they relate to large, organized projects and initiatives;
OR an equivalent combination of education, experience and/or training.
Licensure/Certification And Other Requirements
The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations,
Suitability – Security Sensitive.
The position is a Management Supervisory Service (At-will) position. This position is not represented under a collective bargaining unit.
The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Residency Requirement: 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.
Submission of a resume alone is NOT a complete application. This position may require the completion of additional form/s and/or supplemental materials. Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment.
