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 savings 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). The incumbent advises management on the possible public and media reactions to MPD actions, as well as the information needs of the general public and various specialized groups.

This Public affairs specialist position is covered under the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE) bargaining unit and you may be required to pay an agency fee through direct payroll deductions.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Advises management on appropriate solution and approaches to problems and issues; identifies, summarizes and analyzes public comments submitted to the office.
• Evaluates local/national media to identify potential problems or areas of friction and advises management officials concerning the causes of the problems and suggested methods for resolving them.
• Develops communications and social media strategies with short-term and long-term goals and plans for achieving such goals.
• Prepares articles for publication and other informational materials and strategies for communicating activities to support the total agency efforts.
• Develops informational materials such as news releases, fact sheets, feature stories and background statements.
• Initiates and prepares responses to inquiries from interested groups and the general public concerning policies and activities of public involvement.
• Organizes and coordinates media interviews with staff members, oversees all arrangements with the media and prepares materials and briefs command staff members as required.
• Establishes and maintains relations with local/national media. Coordinates the dissemination of information relating to the agency through the news media.
• Writes public involvement plans for informing and involving the public on the issues of local, state and national significance, as appropriate.
• Responds to information requests from the news media and the public, disseminates information, and answers questions about the agency's operations or activities.
• Participates in updating the agency web site, social media sites, brochures, fact sheets, FAQs and other agency publications.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques of communications; and skill developing strategies to disseminate information.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local and national media representatives.
• Knowledge of the mission, function and goals of the office to facilitate communication between the agency and the public on program-related problems, activities or issues.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of written and oral communication, and knowledge in applying principles and using methods in developing and disseminating information about the agency and activities to the general public.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques in the collection, summary and analysis of public comments/complaints, agency information program materials and offering recommendations for improving the delivery of program information to affected individuals and groups.
• Skills in determining the needs and desires of the agency's public and in dealing effectively with those audiences.
• Skill in applying a variety of analytical techniques in gathering, analyzing and evaluating complex data and developing appropriate recommendations for management consideration.

Licensures, Certifications and other requirements:

N/A

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree preferred. Master's Degree strongly preferred.

Work Experience:

Must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to CS-9 grade level in the District of Columbia government service or its non-District equivalent, that demonstrates knowledge of the specialized subject area of the position

Specialized experience includes understanding principles, methods and techniques of communications; and skill developing strategies to disseminate information; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with local and national media representatives; applying the mission, function and goals of the office to facilitate communication between the agency and the public on program-related problems, activities or issues; communicating orally and in writing and applying principles and using methods in developing and disseminating information about the agency and activities to the general public; determining the needs and desires of the agency's public and in dealing effectively with those audiences; and applying a variety of analytical techniques in gathering, analyzing and evaluating complex data and developing appropriate recommendations for management consideration.

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:

Promotion Potential: Promotional potential to the grade 12

The position is considered an Emergency position. 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.

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.

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