Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist

DC Department of Human Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC seeks a senior communications leader to plan and execute strategic communications for public safety, manage media relations, and oversee marketing materials. Responsibilities include developing campaigns, handling press inquiries, and coordinating events to highlight MPD efforts and updates.

The role requires directing staff, shaping messaging across channels, and engaging diverse audiences on social media while upholding legal and policy

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred.
• Experience planning and developing communications plans for public safety and law enforcement.
• Experience speaking to groups and promoting the dissemination of information.
• Ability to supervise staff and oversee communications activities.

Responsibilities

• Planning and executing a program involving strategic communications, news media, writing, editing, web management, and marketing projects.
• Establishing and maintaining relationships with members of the press and media groups.
• Managing marketing campaigns and coordinating design/production of marketing materials for department programs.
• Overseeing content for issuance and publications; handling information requests from news media and the public.
• Advising management on public attitudes and directing special events to promote department programs.
• Researching background information for speeches and producing press releases, advisories, and campaigns.
• Initiating media coverage and engaging audiences via department social media outlets.
• Supervising staff, assigning work, and evaluating performance; handling disciplinary actions and employee development.

Skills

Strategic communications

Media relations

Public information

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation’s Capital – Washington, D.C. Given that distinction, the Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,200 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country. We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation’s residents, but also people from all over the world.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package. The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and saving options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment. Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at: DCHR Benefits.

This position is located in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Executive Office of the Chief of Police (EOCOP), Office of Communications (OC), Public Information Branch. The incumbent manages information flow between MPD and the media within the framework of established laws, regulations, policies, and directives.

The incumbent works under the general supervision of the Director of the Office of Communications who provides assignments in terms of broad mission statements. The incumbent exercises independence of action and leadership in developing and managing the office and staff. Determines or recommends policies, procedures, organization, and course of action for subordinates. The incumbent is recognized as an expert in opinions and advice and is sought by individuals within and outside the District of Columbia Government. The general effectiveness in carrying out these functions is judged through daily discussions with the Director. Performance is evaluated based on results of performance plans as well as expectations and on results achieved by direct contact with representatives of the news media, elected officials, community representatives, and on the ability to effectively disseminate timely and unbiased information.

Guidelines consist of Department policies and precedents contained in directives, City Council issuances, Mayoral issuances, and other District and Federal guidelines, laws and precedents. The incumbent uses judgment in deviating from accepted communication practices and strategies to develop methods appropriate to specific issues or problems.

The Incumbent Will Be Responsible For The Following

• Planning, designing, and executing a program involving select strategic communications, news media, writing, editing, web management, and marketing projects, as well as other public services.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with members of the press group interested in MPD’s activities or performance.
• Managing the overall implementation of marketing and advertising campaigns, coordinates the writing, design, and production of marketing materials for all departmental programs.
• Overseeing the visual content and writes and edits written content for issuance and publications. Receiving and responding to information requests from the news media and the public, which often requires a detailed explanation of negative comments made on the performance of the department in a particular situation; and coordinates public relation activities, including preparation of any other related materials.
• Providing assistance and consultation to staff in initiating and maintaining direct contact with the public, specialized groups, and community entities concerned with the services of the department. Advising management of attitude of the public and users of the services, as well as, achievements and criticisms. Directing special events and other activities intended to develop interest in the department’s programs.
• Researching and gathers background information for speeches; produces other communication writing, including press releases, press advisories, newsletters, campaign designs for offline and online educational and marketing tools. Researches, defines, and negotiates media buys.
• Initiating media coverage of the Police Department to highlight efforts, accomplishments, and/or investigative updates.
• Engaging and interacts with audiences through department social media outlets utilizing various social media platforms.
• Providing supervision; plans work to be accomplished by subordinates and sets priorities and schedules for the completion of work. Assigning work based on priorities, expectation of assignments, and capabilities of employees. Establishing performance standards and determines work plans and evaluates performance of subordinates. Providing advice, counseling and instructing individual employees on both work and administrative matters. Interviewing candidates for office positions; makes recommendations for appointment, promotion, or reassignment of office positions. Receiving and resolving complaints from employees; referring group grievances and serious unresolved complaints to the Director.
• Documenting disciplinary action on minor issues and recommends action to Director for more serious cases. Approving and/or denying leave. Identifying developmental and training needs of employees and makes provision for such activities.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Licensures, Certifications And Other Requirements

The incumbent must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher is preferred.

Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CS-12 grade level in the District of Columbia government, or its non-District equivalent, gained from the public or private sector.

Specialized experience for this position includes experience assisting in planning and developing communications plans for public safety and law enforcement programs or initiatives; speaking to a variety of groups and participating in meetings to promote the dissemination of information concerning public safety and law enforcement programs; and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with organizations interested in public safety and law enforcement programs; an the ability to supervise the work of staff engaged in the execution of communication activities

Work Environment

Work location is in an office environment. Work is sedentary and may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meeting and conferences away from the work site and carrying light items, such as laptops, papers, books, small parts, and driving an automobile.

Other Significant Factors

This position is considered an Emergency position. The position is part of a 24/7 operation and is subject to non-traditional work hours including rotating shifts, shift work, and working weekends and holidays.

This Position Is Deemed As Security Sensitive Pursuant To Chapter 4 Of The D.C. Personnel Regulations, In Addition To The General Suitability Screening And Criminal Background Check (pre-employment And Periodic), Individuals May Be Subject To The Following Checks And Tests

• Traffic record check (as applicable);
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol test (as applicable);
• Consumer credit check (as applicable);
• Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test;
• Random drug and alcohol test;
• Return to duty or follow-up drug and alcohol test; and
• Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.

This position requires a high level of trust and may involve access to sensitive information. A background investigation including criminal history, traffic and credit checks is required for all positions within the Metropolitan Police Department.

Management Supervisory Service (MSS) Statement

This position is “At Will”. At will employment applies to the Management Supervisory Service (MSS). All positions and appointments in the MSS serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause. This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity (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, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.