00063 - Div Admin Comm

Virginia Department of Transportation; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking a Director of Public Affairs to lead marketing and public relations for the agency and its programs. The role requires strategic planning, high-level communication skills, and the ability to manage a broad portfolio of initiatives.

You will direct the Office of Public Affairs, provide communications counsel to executive leadership, oversee external web content and media relations, and develop comprehensive outreach programs across the

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences.
• Strategically plan, direct, and coordinate public affairs initiatives for a large organization with a high public profile.
• Comprehensive experience in public relations, outreach programs management and techniques.
• Considerable ability to motivate, direct, manage staff to maximize talents, productivity, and professional development.
• Considerable experience with media relations, speech writing, presentations, as well as managing media professionals, writers, web designers and multimedia professionals.
• Experience applying state processes, policies and procedures as they relate to public relations and marketing.
• Experience applying supervisory, human resources principles, practices to include hiring, discipline, performance management and employee development.
• Experience using APA style, multi-media, interactive and electronic communication tools, including social media.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.

Responsibilities

• Provide communications counsel to the Secretary, Commissioner, Chiefs and management.
• Manage and oversee content and communication capabilities of VDOT's external web presence and internal web portal.
• Serve as primary VDOT spokesperson and coordinate media contacts with leadership and subject matter experts.
• Direct the division of Public Affairs including staff and resources; oversee budget and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and monitor division-wide public relations plans; align with agency goals and priorities.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations governing dissemination of information.

Skills

Public relations

Media relations

Strategic planning

Oral & written comms

Leadership

Budgeting

APA style

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, or English

Job description

Job Description

To direct marketing and public relations for VDOT and its programs and manage the VDOT Office of Public Affairs.

How You Will Contribute

• Communications: Provide communications council to the Secretary of Transportation, Commissioner, Chiefs and management. Provide channels for the public to access valid and timely information. Communicate with the public and stakeholders for all modes of transportation. Ensure agency compliance with federal and state laws as well as regulations concerning the collection and dissemination of information for use in VDOT's business operations.
• Internet Content: Manage and oversee content and communication capabilities of VDOT's external web presence and internal web portal. Oversee development and management of content for VDOT dashboard. Enhance, develop and oversee implementation and enforcement of communication policies and procedures for the organization through systems that will improve VDOT's overall operation and effectiveness.
• Media Issues: Recommend and formulate VDOT position on media issues. Research issues from factual, policy and statutory perspectives. Serve as primary VDOT spokesperson and coordinate media contacts with Commissioner and VDOT subject matter experts. Direct staff who may serve as VDOT spokespersons and oversee preparation of information for media release. Serve as liaison with outside organizations and agencies, including the Governor's press office, the Secretary of Transportation's office, and the Federal Highway Administration. Ensure VDOT leaders are updated on media issues affecting VDOT.
• Program Management: Develop, implement and direct professional and comprehensive public relations and communications programs. Integrate division units by implementing common goals and objectives around comprehensive communication plans. Direct the affairs and operations of the division of Public Affairs, including staff and resources. Direct I and R and Customer Services. Develop, implement, and monitor division budget. Consult with Commissioner's staff, divisions, districts, and residencies to develop and implement strategies that facilitate access to technical and business information. Ensure comprehensive communication plans are in place for targeted projects, revised as priorities change, and carried out by the Office of Public Affairs.

What Will Make You Successful

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences and to make presentations and conduct meetings.
• Ability to strategically plan, direct and coordinate public affairs initiatives for a large organization with a high public profile.
• Comprehensive knowledge of public relations, communications, and outreach programs management and techniques.
• Considerable ability to motivate, direct and manage staff to maximize talents, productivity and professional development.
• Knowledge of APA style and multi-media, interactive, and electronic communication tools, including social media.
• Knowledge of state processes, policies and procedures as they relate to public relations and marketing.
• Knowledge of supervisory and human resources principles and practices to include hiring, discipline, performance management and employee development.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences and to make presentations and conduct meetings.
• Ability to strategically plan, direct, and coordinate public affairs initiatives for a large organization with a high public profile.
• Comprehensive experience in public relations, communications, outreach programs management and techniques.
• Considerable ability to motivate, direct, manage staff to maximize talents, productivity, and professional development.
• Considerable experience with media relations, speech writing, presentations, as well as managing media professionals, writers, web designers and multimedia professionals.
• Experience applying state processes, policies and procedures as they relate to public relations and marketing.
• Experience applying supervisory, human resources principles, practices to include hiring, discipline, performance management and employee development.
• Experience using APA style, multi-media, interactive and electronic communication tools, including social media.
• Skill in the use of computers and software applications.

Additional Considerations

• A combination of training, experience, or education in Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, English or related field desired.
• Experience with media relations, speech writing and presentations. Considerable experience managing media professionals, writers, web designers and multimedia professionals.

Physical Requirements

VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.

VDOT Code of Ethics

Standards of Conduct

About Us

VDOT utilizes a market based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Please be aware all VDOT positions require pre-employment screenings. These screenings may include the following:

• Fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check
• DMV Record Check
• Work History Verification
• References
• Pre-employment physical
• Drug screen