Title: District Communications Manager

Hiring Range: $109,445 - $142,279

Pay Band: 6

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Richmond District Office

Agency Website: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/jobs/default.asp

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The VDOT Richmond District is excited to announce the opportunity to serve as a District Communications Manager/PR and Marketing Manager III.

Position specific responsibilities and duties will include but not limited to:

Set strategic direction and provides leadership related to the District’s Communication Program. Provide direction and advice to the District Engineer and other executive staff regarding external communications with key local, state and federal audiences, including media, government officials, non-profit and private sector groups, and general public. Establish and maintain effective relationships with the media; establish and administer the District’s communication program; devise plans for district and regional external communications programs; and identify audiences and goals, craft messages and strategies. Oversee consultant communication firms’ activities; research, write and edit collateral materials including newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, news releases, fact sheets, brochures, social media content and scripts; plan virtual and in-person events, meetings, and media conferences and ensure appropriate VDOT branding and style for all communications. Ensure real-time traffic information is delivered effectively through a variety of means to assist in meeting district goals of reducing clearance time for incidents; manage district social media accounts and content; respond to media inquiries and serve as VDOT primary spokesperson for the district; providing critical information via multi-media vehicles ensuring all project/construction work impacts are known and disseminated timely, frequently and in a professional and positive manner; and develop and administer proactive media relations programs, fostering transparent, open and positive relationships. Using journalistic style and knowledge of media operations, research and write news releases, media advisories and other materials, and distribute to the media to meet deadlines. Market news and feature stories to media contacts reflecting favorably on VDOT. Advise senior management on identifying and solving communications issues and challenges. Train leaders and project managers, as well as other communication professionals (Construction Communications Manager) on VDOT’s communication policy, best practices, and the proper channels of communicating – locally versus Communications Division statewide. Write speeches, prepare presentations and other communications materials for senior district and central office staff; participate in staff and planning meetings at the district and central office level; and work closely with DA to accomplish their goals and communication priorities, including development and sharing of district vision to employees. Provide critical information to citizens before, during, and after natural disasters, emergencies and traffic congestion-causing incidents and reinforce VDOT’s role as a first responder to statewide public affairs emergency protocols. Handle emergency response and crisis communications duties as needed providing critical information via multi-media communication vehicles before, during and after all incidents; assisting on statewide impact communications as well as cross-agency, locality or cross-DOT communications depending on situation (serve in the state or VDOT joint information center during events or handle media calls, including after-hour and weekends as needed and on a frequent basis). Support and execute statewide communications plan; attend and actively participate in Public Affairs Council meetings and lead or serve as committee member for appropriate committees; implement statewide communications policies developed by the Central Office and the Public Affairs Council; and communicate statewide communications activities and initiatives clearly to district leadership and staff. Stay up to date on all Communications Division statewide initiatives, policies, branding, protocols, etc. Relay statewide impacts to local executive and ensure collaboration when competing messaging/plans do not coincide.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application. VDOT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For more information, please visit “Information for VDOT Employees and Applicants” at: http://www.virginiadot.org/jobs/information_for_employees.asp We have Shared Values and a Code of Ethics. Your success in our organization depends upon modelling these values, therefore please visit www.virginiadot.org/about/missionsandvalues.asp to review them and, if in agreement, we welcome you to apply. In addition to a rewarding work experience, VDOT offers excellent health and life insurance benefits, pre-tax spending accounts, state funded Short and Long Term Disability, paid holidays, vacation, tuition assistance, free wellness programs, and a state retirement plan with options for tax-deferred retirement savings including employer matching. Please visit www.virginiadot.org/jobs/default.asp. for additional information.

Minimum Qualifications

• Progressively responsible communications experience reflecting advanced knowledge of mass media markets and operations; and advanced knowledge of strategic communications planning.
• Communications or public affairs experience reflecting advanced knowledge of printing and publications procedures, and use of the Internet and World Wide Web.
• Considerable skill and ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a variety of individuals and groups including the media, using journalistic style.
• Managerial experience reflecting ability to supervise staff.
• Ability to positively represent VDOT’s programs to the media, citizens, and elected officials.
• Advanced ability to make presentations and serve as spokesperson.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An experienced leader with appropriate industry experience, preferably in transportation demonstrating the ability to work in a fast-paced and complex urban environment.
• Advanced degree in public relations, communications, journalism or related field preferred.
• Experience serving as a spokesperson representing an organization with private or public entities in a political setting.

Special Instructions:

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

References, work history and DMV records will be verified prior to employment. Requires fingerprint background check. Position is designated essential in emergency operation events and is required to work outside normal work hours to ensure the safety of the traveling public.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. H1B VISA Sponsorship is not available.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx, or call DARS at 1-800-552-5019.

State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 pm on the closing date through the PageUp System. State applications submitted via email, postal mail, fax, or in person will not be considered. Applicants are expected to fully represent qualifications and work history on the State application and or resume. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide detailed information. Submitting an incomplete state application, or a state application lacking in detail, may impact your interview eligibility.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is an Equal Opportunity Employer by both policy and practice. For more information about our employment practices, please visit http://www.virginiadot.org/jobs/information_for_employees.asp

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

Contact Information:

Name: Martha Alkhadra

Phone: 804-762-2584

Email: martha.alkhadra@vdot.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.