Public Information Officer - Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (MOLA)

Open:  January 28, 2021

Close:  Open Until Filled

Salary/Grade:   Excepted Service ES6, ($66,019 to $99,118)

Current District residents will receive priority in review of submissions for this posting.

INTRODUCTION:

The Bowser Administration seeks an energetic and qualified candidate to serve as the Public Information Officer of the Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs (MOLA) in the Executive Office of the Mayor.  The mission of the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs (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.  NOTE: This is an Excepted Service position which requires residency in the District of Columbia within 180 days of hire.

The incumbent is responsible for managing the creation and implementation of a strategic approach for the Mayor and the District of Columbia to engage, empower, and improve the quality of life for Latino constituents while integrating the interests of all key stakeholders. This includes implementation of policy and programs which provide resources to ensure that full range health, education, employment and social services are made available to the Latino residents of the District of Columbia.  

MAJOR DUTIES

• 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; ensures the presentation of a strong and positive message to the public regarding the Administration’s policies and programs and the Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs in coordination with the Executive Office of the Mayor.
• 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.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in public relations, communications, public policy or a related field.
• Demonstrated connections to and past interactions with members of the local and regional press corps.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• 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.

DOMICILE REQUIREMENT

This position is an Excepted Service position. Under District law, each new appointee to the Excepted Service shall either: (1) be domiciled in the District of Columbia at the time of appointment; or (2) establish District domicile within 180 days of appointment.  Excepted Service employees must maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment.  Failure to maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.

The Bowser Administration seeks qualified candidates for this position.  If 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.