Public Info. Officer (MOLA)
About the Company
The Bowser Administration seeks an energetic and qualified candidate to serve as the Public Information Officer of the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA) in the Executive Office of the Mayor. The mission of MOLA is to improve the quality of life of the District's Latino residents by addressing a broad range of social and economic needs through strategic management of public and private partnerships, expertise on policy, community relations, civic engagement and community-based grants.
About the Job
The Public Information Officer is responsible for managing the creation and implementation of strategic communications for the Mayor, MOLA, and the District of Columbia to engage, empower, and improve the quality of life for Latino constituents. Working with the Executive Office of the Mayor Communications team and with MOLA leadership, the Public Information Officer will use a variety of tools and strategies to ensures the presentation of a strong and positive message to the public regarding the Administration’s policies and programs.
Responsibilities
Establishes and maintains excellent relationships with local and regional media outlets, including print and broadcast journalists, and bloggers; responds to media inquiries; proactively engages with local and regional media to pitch stories
Plans, directs and executes a comprehensive public information strategy on the initiatives and functions of the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs collaborates with senior leadership to plan and develop goals and objectives for implementing long and short-term communications
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with District government and community agencies
Analyzes communications issues, and advises the Director and Deputy Director public perceptions to the agencies’ programs and activities
Develop and manage send of the weekly MOLA newsletter in English and Spanish
Develops and utilizes a variety of communication outlets to inform, involve, and engage employees in the agencies’ mission, values and programs
Evaluates communications efforts and achievements, and recommends appropriate modifications
Creates briefing memos, talking points, articles, websites, social media postings, and other communications on a wide variety of issues
Uses feedback and evaluation systems to evaluate effectiveness of communications activities
Participates in senior staff meetings and serves on committees, as appropriate
Performs other related duties as assigned
Qualifications
Minimum three (3) years’ experience in public relations, communications, public policy or a related field
Bilingual in English and Spanish
Demonstrated connections to and past interactions with members of the local and regional press corps
Mastery of the principles, methods and techniques of effective communications
Mastery of the methods, practices and procedures used in public relations, marketing and research, mass media, advertising, special interest groups, community relations, and government relations, as they relate to large organized projects and initiatives
Strong analytical, strategic and creative skills to develop and implement public outreach programs; and skill in developing strategies to disseminate information
Superior ability to manage multiple priorities and fast-paced work
Ability to effectively develop, organize, and present ideas and concepts to diverse groups, including government officials, journalists, analysts, and District residents
Superior writing, verbal and presentation skills
Strong, persuasive, compelling and engaging writing skills, in order to convey information concerning complex programs and functions to public individuals having diverse levels of understanding of the agency's programs and activities
Superior skill in responding orally to criticism of the agency’s functions or performance; and to logically and effectively explain programs, functions and activities, in order for the public to gain an understanding of the agency's efforts
Superior skill and ability to formulate, articulate, and coordinate an overall communications program that integrates departmental issues, and conveys complex information regarding policies, programs, and decisions
Superior interpersonal relationship skills to serve as the principal advisor and authority on communication issues for the agency; and to work with the senior leaders to address problem solving through communications
SPECIAL NOTE - SECURITY SENSITIVE
This position is deemed security sensitive
The incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability – Security Sensitive
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
There is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted or Executive Service either:
be a District of Columbia resident at the time of appointment;
or become a District resident within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment
The law also requires that Excepted Service employees remain District residents during the duration of the individual’s appointment
Failure to remain a District resident for the duration of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment
