00063 - Div Admin Comm

DVS V3; Richmond, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VDOT seeks a strategic communications and public affairs leader to direct marketing and public relations for the agency and its programs, ensuring timely, accessible information for the public.

You will provide communications counsel to the Secretary, Commissioner, chiefs and management; oversee VDOT's external website, internal portal, and dashboard content; coordinate media relations and act as primary spokesperson; and direct the Office of Public Affairs with staff, budget and cross‑agency

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences and to make presentations and conduct meetings.
• Strategically plan, direct, and coordinate public affairs initiatives for a large organization with a high public profile.
• Extensive experience in public relations, communications, outreach programs management and techniques.
• Ability to motivate, direct, manage staff to maximize talents, productivity, and professional development.
• Experience with media relations, speech writing, presentations, and managing media professionals.
• Experience applying state processes, policies, and procedures related to public relations and marketing.
• Experience with supervisory and human resources principles, practices including hiring and performance management.
• Experience using APA style, multimedia and digital communication tools including social media.
• Skilled in using computers and software applications.

Responsibilities

• Communications: Provide communications counsel to the Secretary of Transportation, Commissioner, Chiefs and management.
• Internet Content: Manage and oversee content and communication capabilities of VDOT's external web presence and internal web portal.
• Media Issues: Recommend and formulate VDOT position on media issues and serve as primary spokesperson.
• Program Management: Develop, implement and direct public relations and communications programs and budgets.
• Direct I and R and Customer Services. Develop and monitor division budget.

Skills

Communications planning

Public relations

Strategic planning

Leadership

Media relations

Speech writing

APA style

Social media

Public information

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, Communications, English or related field

Tools

Content Management

MS Office

Media monitoring

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