Press Assistant, Executive Office of the Mayor

Press Assistant

Grade:  ES5 ($72,586.32)

INTRODUCTION 

This position is located in the Executive Office of the Mayor, Office of Communications. The office operates as a resource to all government agencies, officials and the media; in facilitating the widest possible dissemination of information to the public. The Press Assistant will work with the Press Secretary to ensure seamless strategic and effective relationships with members of the press.

** This is an excepted service position in the District of Columbia. The selected candidate must be a domicile of the District within 180 days of hire. Strong preference for current DC residents. *****

MAJOR DUTIES

• Develops and utilizes a variety of communication modalities to inform, involve and engage employees in the Department's mission, values and programs. Develops compelling and persuasive material (such as brochures, issue papers, presentations, 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.
• Establishes and maintains 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 agency presents a strong and positive identity to the public.
• Plans, directs and executes a public information program to inform the general and specialized publics about the agency's programs, activities, services and initiatives. In collaboration with senior leaders, plans and develops goals and objectives for the implementation of long and short­ range communications' efforts of the Department.
• 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.
• Oversees the coordination of information among departmental offices insure 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 the Department's programs, which often requires detailed explanations of issues and responses to comments made regarding the agency's activities.
• Analyzes communications 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 .
• Develops issue papers, presentations, 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.
• Develops strategies, techniques and distribution methods to ensure that Departmental employees have various and continuous access to information, including material for newsletters, intranet postings,  flyers, posters,  events, and audio-visual  support.
• 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.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Comprehensive knowledge of the mission, goals, policies, strategic plan, and authorizing legislation of the full range of the Department's policies for all of its programs, as well as the Mayor's established and accepted city-wide customer service standards and practices required to effectively, accurately and expeditiously meet agency objectives.
• 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 publics having diverse levels of understanding of the agency's programs and activities. Superior skill in responding orally to criticism of the Department'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 relation 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.

The Bowser Administration seeks qualified candidates to serve as Press Assistant.      If you are interested in consideration, please complete the attached questions and attach a resume and cover letter.  The MOTA team will contact only those candidates deemed most qualified.    No calls please.