Public Affairs Specialist CS-1035-13
Position closes noon 10/10
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE TO APPLY
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school, college or university and a minimum of 3-5 years of work experience related to Public Affairs, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Expert knowledge and experience with creating and executing comprehensive communication plans including graphic design, writing, editing, and dissemination.
Superior oral and writing communication skills within the scope of developing presentations, pitching stories to media outlets and developing instructional materials.
Ability to formulate, articulate and coordinate an overall communications plan that integrates social service messaging and conveys complex information regarding policies, programs and services.
Experience translating research finding into accessible and highly desirable products.
INTRODUCTION
This position is located in the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), Office of the Chief of Staff. The incumbent position serves as the Public Affairs Specialist for the Department.
The mission of DYRS is to improve the public safety and give court-involved youth the opportunity to become more productive citizens by building on the strengths of youths and their families in the least restrictive, most homelike environment consistent with public safety.
DYRS will provide the nation’s best continuum of care for court-involved youth and their families through a wide range of programs that emphasize individual strengths, personal accountability, public safety, skill development, family involvement and community support. Incumbent has overall responsibility for achieving the Department’s objectives in the following areas:
Employee Communications – Develops and utilizes a variety of communication modalities to inform, involve, and engage over 600 DYRS employees in the Department’s mission, values, and programs.
Information Services – Develops compelling and persuasiave material (such as brochures, issue papers, presentation, testimony, articles, web content, audiovisuals, and newsletters) to inform, educate, and motivate key decision-makers and the public to understand and support the Department’s mission, programs, and policies.
Media and Public Relations – Establishes and maintain good public relations; stays attuned to public attitudes regarding the Department’s image and services; provides the news media with information; responds to requests for information on the mission, programs and policies; and ensures that the Department presents a strong and positive identity to the public.
MAJOR DUTIES
Serves as the principal public information adviser in the absence of the senior Public Affairs Specialist and provides expertise and guidance during the development of Departmental policies, programs, and decisions in order to ensure that effective communication strategies are incorporated into the Department’s operations across all functional areas.
Plans, directs, and executes a public information program to inform the general and specialized publics about the Department’s programs, activities, services, and initiatives.
Arranges for media coverage of Departmental activities and for interviews with the Director and/or other appropriate Department staff.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with members of the news media, inter/intra governmental agency managers, the public, and groups interested in the Department’s programs and initiatives.
Manages the coordination of information among DYRS offices to ensure well-coordinated and effective communications with local and national news media, the public, and special groups.
Responds to information requests from the news media and the public on DYRS programs which often requires detailed explanations of issues and responses to comments made regarding the Department’s activities.
Analyzes communication issues and advises the Chief of Staff and other senior leaders regarding the perceptions and reactions of the public, special interests, the Mayor’s Office, and City Council to the Department’s programs and activities. Evaluates communication efforts and achievements and recommends appropriate modifications.
Assists in developing issue papers, presentation, and testimony in support of Departmental initiatives and in response to requests from Executive Branch agencies and District of Columbia Council. Creates compelling and persuasive strategy papers, talking points, articles, Web sites, and other communications on a wide variety of issues. Plans and directs the preparation of informational materials to be used by the print and electronic media, professional publications, and the public.
May participate in senior staff meetings and serve on committees, as appropriate. Makes presentation to various agencies, committees, and others concerning policies, operations, and initiatives of the Department.
Serves as the point person in the creation of the agency newsletter and is responsible for the creation and dissemination of all agency flyers and correspondence.
In the absence of the senior Public Affairs Specialist, maintains liaison with the Mayor’s Office of Communications and representatives of the media to ensure appropriate and timely coverage of events, accomplishments, and activities of interest or concern to the public. Depending upon nature of information to be released, determines appropriate format and forum to be used, i.e. news release, public service announcements, radio/TV talk shows, feature stories, etc.
Uses feedback and evaluation systems to evaluate effectiveness of communications activities. Monitors programs to identify problems and develop/implement solutions. Determines the most appropriate and current materials, equipment, and resources needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
Mastery of communication principles, methods, practices, and techniques, and particular application of this knowledge to the media, special interest groups, and the public in order to independently respond to complex issues affecting DYRS.
Comprehensive knowledge of the mission, goals, policies, strategic plan, and authorizing legislation of the full range of DYRS policies for all of its programs.
Mastery of strong, persuasive, compelling, and engaging writing skills in order to convey information concerning complex programs and functions to publics having diverse levels of understanding of DYRS prgrams and activities.
Skill in responding orally to criticism of DYRS functions or performance, to logically and effectively explain programs, function, and activities, in order for the public to gain an understanding of DYRS efforts.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with individuals and groups interested in, or affected by programs, creating meaning communication interchanges between them and DYRS.
Expert skill in analyzing communications needs and developing and recommending strategies to advance DYRS goals and objectives.
Mastery of interpersonal relation skills to enable the incumbent to serve as the principal adviser and authority on communication issues for DYRS and to work with the senior leaders to address problem solving through communications.
Skill and ability to formulate, articulate, and coordinate an overall communications program that integrates DYRS issues and conveys complex information regarding policies, programs, and decisions.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The Chief of Staff establishes, in consultation with the incumbent, the overall objectives of the work assigned.
The incumbent carries out assignment independently, resolving most conflicts which arise, coordinating the work with others as required. Interprets policy and regulations independently, guided by the established objectives of the assignment. Methods to be used and approaches to be taken are normally determined by the employee.
Incumbent’s work is considered technically sound. Program effectiveness is assessed in terms of results achieved in gaining understanding of DYRS programs.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines consist of District of Columbia’s laws and regulations, DYRS policies, rules, and regulations, technical, legal and operational policy manuals, standard operating procedures, and industry best practices.
The incumbent uses initiative and resourcefulness in deviating from traditional methods or researching trends and patterns to develop new methods, criteria, or proposed new policies.
COMPLEXITY
The assignements include assisting in the planning, designing, executing, and evaluating DYRS public information program involving the development of written materials conveying complex information about programs; the maintenance of effective working relationships with specialized groups; and the development of recommendations to improve program effectiveness.
Decisions regarding what needs to be done involve analyzing the information needs of various segments of DYRS stakeholders and publics; determining the most effective approaches to employ in reaching the public and interest groups; modifying strategies or plans to more effectively communicte programs and functions; and providing information to refute undue criticism.
The work involves obtaining feedback in order to develop new approaches to use in meeting communication needs of the public and the goals of the DYRS programs.
SCOPE AND EFFECT
The purpose of the work is to provide effective public information leadership, consultation, writing and editing, design work, presentation support and web page development in all areas of communications and public relations for DYRS, so as to develop new or alternative means of providing information that will enhance an understanding of and support for DYRS programs and efforts.
The work affects DYRS attainment of its programs goals as well as creates an understanding of its functions and activities by its employees, the public, and special groups.
PERSONAL CONTACTS
Personal contacts include senior leaders, managers, supervisors, and other employees in DYRS as well as the DYRS residents. Other contacts include District officials, other District agencies, the media, the public and special interest groups.
PURPOSE OF CONTACTS
Contacts involve decision-making and subtantial exchanges of information. Individuals regularly and routinely hold opposing points of view on a given course of action, and therefore, the incumbent must be proficient and timely in response to hostile questions, in addition to providing more measured communications. Contacts may be at formal meetings, news, conferences, workshops, or special events, or increasingly through the developing technology for real-time electronic discussion.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work requires a minimum of physical exertion, and involves occasional standing and carrying light items, such as files and publications.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is typically performed in an office setting.