General Job Information

There is only one city in the country that can say it is the Nation’s Capital – Washington, D.C.  Given that distinction, the Metropolitan Police Department is the premiere law enforcement organization in the city. We receive over 22 million visitors a year, have almost 700,000 residents, and 21,000 private business. The Department consists of more than 4,200 members: approximately 3,550 sworn members and over 650 civilian employees. We are one of the most diverse and highly trained departments in the country.  We have the honor of safeguarding and protecting not only our nation’s residents, but also people from all over the world.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) offers an attractive benefits package.  The benefits package includes competitive compensation, health insurance, prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, short and long term disability and life insurance, as well a strong retirement benefit and saving options. Employees are also eligible for our employer contributed 401a plan after one year of employment. Additional perks such as discounts on wireless carriers, gym memberships, amusement park tickets and much more! Additional information can be found at: DCHR Benefits

This position is located in the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Executive Office of the Chief of Police (EOCOP). The Deputy Director, Office of Communications develops, leads and implements a comprehensive internal communications plan that aligns with and articulates MPD's goals, mission and values. The incumbent plans and executes innovative internal communications programs and activities to engage internal audiences and create a positive workplace culture. This individual is one of two deputy directors and a member of the Communications leadership team. Their primary focus will be on agency internal communications.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Assesses needs and establishes goals, developing and implementing an internal communications strategy for the department.
• Develops strategy and plan for strategic and tactical employee communications to ensure employees understand what they need to know and do to help the department succeed.
• Prepares communications and responds to inquiries. Identifies and uses the most effective digital and social media platforms to communicate with employees.
• Ensures that activities and materials align with MPD brand and values and that organizational initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to program managers and staff.
• Monitors and provides input on internal communications messages to ensure consistency across all mediums and departments. Creates a unified voice and common messaging for the leadership team.
• Plays a key role in internal content creation and maintains a measure of messaging using various channels, from videos and other digital communications to face-to-face sessions and small informal meetings.
• Coordinates and manages internal events, such as town halls and question and answer (Q&A) sessions.
• Serves as an advisor on internal communications to other senior operations leaders across the agency.
• Leads and develops assigned personnel.
• Supervises others including interviewing candidates for positions, developing performance standards, advising, counseling or instructing employees on work, and effects disciplinary measures as appropriate.
• Writes scripts, talking points, targeted messaging, and other communications for senior leadership.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Licensures, Certifications and other requirements

N/A.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or a related field from an accredited college or university is required. Master's Degree strongly preferred.

Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CS-12 grade level, or its non-District equivalent, gained from public or private sector. Examples of specialized experience for this position include, but is not limited to: experience developing, implementing and evaluating communications plans; experience supporting organizational change management and crisis communications around sensitive workforce issues; experience developing engaging employee communications; fluent in multiple content types - editorial, digital, video, social, etc. and ability to supervise others.

One year of prior management/leadership experience required.

Work Environment

Work location is in an office environment.  Work is sedentary and may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel and attendance at meeting and conferences away from the work site and carrying light items, such as laptops, papers, books, small parts, and driving an automobile.

Other Significant Factors

This position operates within the confines of a 24/7 operation. Incumbent of this position is required to provide after-hours on call technical support including weekends and holidays. Incumbent may also be subjected to rotating shifts, weekend work and changes in days off.

A background investigation, to include a criminal, traffic and credit check are required for positions with the Metropolitan Police Department.

The incumbent is required to possess and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s permit.

This position is “At Will”. At will employment applies to the Management Supervisory Service (MSS). All positions and appointments in the MSS serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause. This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer: all qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination, which is also prohibited. In addition, harassment based on any of the above-protected categories is prohibited.