Director of Communication

Tour Of Duty : 8:15am -4:45pm

Promotion Potential: No

Those who previously applied to Job ID: 9092: Director of Communication need not re-apply, applications are still being reviewed.

Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service- Regular Appointment

***********Pre-screening Dates: Every 10 days from date of opening.*************

The District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is evolving as a national leader in public child welfare. The Director of Communications advises the Agency Director on strategic communication with stakeholder audiences to promote agency achievements and to further a positive image. The selected candidate will oversee CFSA’s public information function including management counseling, internal and external communication, and media relations using the full range of print, electronic, and social media tools. This position plays a vital role in developing communication plans and strategies and directing execution of communication tactics in the agency’s best interest. Those interested in this position should possess expert strategic communication experience. If you are ready to shape the future of child welfare in the Nation’s Capital, then apply to this rewarding position today!

Brief Description of Duties:

• Advises the Agency Director on strategies and tactics for using communication to aid in achieving agency goals. Drafts testimony, remarks, and other materials that support the Director in telling the agency story. Reviews and provides an advance quality assurance function on reports and other key documents that require the Director’s approval.

• Serves as the initial point of contact for media queries. Advises the Director on critical and strategic media management activities. Serves as the key point of contact for CFSA with the communication team in the Executive Office of the Mayor.

• Directs a subordinate staff in accomplishing the overall responsibilities and activities of the office.

• Advises agency program managers and staff on effective ways to plan, announce, and promote new initiatives, services, changes, and events. Coaches teams responsible for organizing and writing mandatory reports to oversight authorities.

• Oversees an active program of “brand journalism” that routinely identifies positive stories about the agency and uses available channels (such as the internet and social media) to distribute them proactively.

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements:

• Mastery of communications principles, methods, practices and techniques in order to function as the expert on public affairs, community problems and issues related to the work of the D.C. Child and Family Services Agency.

• Thorough knowledge of public relations and communications methodologies for disseminating information and publicizing programs, projects, events, services and issues;

• Thorough knowledge of multi-media communication and graphic production techniques;

• Knowledge of the requirements of broadcast media and the ability to prepare material for their use;

• Knowledge of print, web and video production techniques, desk top publishing and other computer programs for graphic, art design and PowerPoint presentations;

• Knowledge of laws and policies governing the release of confidential information;

• Skill in writing and editing materials for publication;

• Skill in exercising independent decision making in gathering relevant information to solve vaguely defined practical problems;

• Ability to write and edit information for a wide distribution under deadlines; compose and edit articles, speeches and other informative and educational materials;

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the media, District and other government employees, and other public and private agencies;

• Expert demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Expert knowledge and skill sufficient to conduct in-depth research of operational/program issues, to review and analyze complex reports and to prepare clear, in-depth analyses of studies and recommendations.

• Skill in developing and applying new approaches to the most difficult and complex public affairs problems of the organization by developing or evaluating the information program to enhance understanding among various segments of the public opposed or indifferent to the Office’s programs.

• Skill in developing written materials to convey information concerning the missions and focuses of the office to groups having diverse levels of understanding of the organization’s programs and activities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in media communications, journalism or a closely-related field; Master’s degree or higher in media communications, journalism or a closely-related field, strongly preferred.

and

At least ten (10) years of specialized experience performing duties related to the position; at least three (3) year of the specialized experience must be equivalent to the CS-14 grade level in the District of Columbia government service.

MSS At-Will Statement: Positions in the Management Supervisory Service (MSS) serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Security Sensitive Position: This position is deemed a security sensitive position pursuant to DCMR 6B Section 412 and is subject to a criminal background check, traffic records check and consumer credit check as applicable.

This position is deemed as “protection” sensitive pursuant to DCMR 6B Section 411 and is subject to a criminal background check, traffic records check (as applicable), pre-employment drug and alcohol test, reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test, post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test, and return-to-duty and follow-up drug and alcohol test.

This position is not in the collective bargaining unit.

Working Conditions:

The majority of the work is performed in an office which is an adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the D.C.Child and Family Services Agency’s Human Resources Only.