Title: Communications Specialist Senior

State Role Title: PR & Mktg Spec IV

Hiring Range: $68,978 - $112,089

Pay Band: 5

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Richmond District Office

Agency Website: www.virginiadot.org/jobs

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

What drives you? Are you driven by strategic thinking? Are you driven by creativity? VDOT Richmond District is seeking a dynamic creative thinker to work as a Communications Specialist Senior for the District’s Communications Office to provide support to the Communications Manager, District Engineer, and other VDOT staff regarding communications with key local, state, and federal audiences, including the media, government officials, non-profit and private sector organizations, and the general public. The incumbent will establish and maintain effective relationships with media, execute the District’s and VDOT’s strategic communication plan, and implement local and statewide initiatives within the Richmond District. Position will maintain employee publications and internet site, web content, external newsletters, press releases, brochures, reports, and outreach initiatives. Applicants should have knowledge of communications methods and theory as they relate to public relations and media relations are key skills for this position.

• Communication Programs and Initiatives: Direct and manage internal and external communication vehicles, such as newsletters, website maintenance, digital information stations, reports, and social media. Build relationships and develop information sources with all levels of employees in the organization. Refine and innovate communications pipelines.

• Public Outreach Events: Plan and implement project ribbon-cutting, groundbreaking, public meetings, and other events including site logistics, invitations, talking points, media pitch, speakers, and agenda. Plan and implement internal events and celebrations as planned. Represent the District at partner events as applicable.

• Media Relations: Serve as an official spokesperson for specific areas of responsibility. Establish and maintain media relationships. Develop message and talking points on current and emerging issues. Draft and distribute media alerts and releases, maintaining media contact lists.

• Field Visits: Regularly visit construction sites and other locations to investigate story leads, interview staff, gather photos and video footage, and lead tours for the media and general public.

• Emergency Response: Assume duties at Area Command when emergency communications are required. Serve as official spokesperson, working closely with the media to ensure information is issued accurately and efficiently. This duty includes occasional extended and overnight hours.

• Collateral Production: Draft and design fact sheets, brochures, and other information items. Manage the planning and production of publications, videos, and presentations. Coordinate with subject-matter experts and vendors for production elements and information.

• Executive Support: Develop and edit weekly reports, talking points, and other communications for executive staff in the district and at Central Office. Serve on District and statewide committees. Lead project teams to establish goals and execute communication efforts.

Incumbent must be available to serve as media contact as part of the after-hours on-call rotation.

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.

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.

We have Shared Values and a Code of Ethics: your success in our organization depends upon modeling these values, therefore please access the following link: https://www.virginiadot.org/about/missionandvalues.asp to review them and, if in agreement, we welcome you to apply.

"In order to be considered for this position, you must submit your resume."

Minimum Qualifications

• Skill in writing for multiple audiences using multiple formats.
• Skill in the use of computers, software applications to include MS Office products and digital cameras.
• Strong editing skills with familiarity with AP style guidelines.
• Ability to positively represent VDOT plans, programs to media, citizens and elected officials.
• Knowledge of communications methods and theory as they relate to public and media relations.
• Ability to organize and synthesize complex issues into clear and concise content.
• Ability to maintain web site and use content management system.
• Ability to understand news media needs.
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
• Valid driver's license.

Additional Considerations

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism.
• Professional experience in public relations or news media setting to include conducting media interviews.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong media relations skills.
• Ability to work well with authors as well as all levels of Research staff.
• Ability to create and edit documents representing numerous areas of engineering, legal and social science research.
• Skill in public speaking and conducting media interviews.
• Experience in newsroom, media relations and/or public relations experience to include conducting media interviews.
• Videography/photography and video editing experience.

Special Instructions

Position is designated as essential to emergency operations and will be required to work outside normal work hours to ensure the safety of the traveling public. Fingerprint based background check, references, work history and DMV records will be verified prior to employment. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. H1B VISA Sponsorship is not available. Once on board, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy. In order to be considered for this position, you must submit your resume.

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. 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 “Information for VDOT Employees and Applicants”: http://www.virginiadot.org/jobs/information_for_employees.asp.

Contact Information

Name: Rebecca Emory

Phone: (804) 401-0234

Email: [email protected]

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 AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.