Public Affairs Specialist
DC Department of Human Resources, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
Job Summary
Located in the heart of the nation’s capital, the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR) is one of the country’s premier civil rights enforcement agencies. The mission of OHR is to eradicate discrimination, advance equal opportunity, and protect the human rights of District residents, workers, students, and visitors. Our team is comprised of a diverse group of individuals who share a commitment to social justice.
The Public Affairs Specialist leads the agency’s public affairs activities by developing and implementing communication strategies, advising leadership on public and media considerations, and creating outreach approaches including for underserved communities. The role also manages the development of communication materials, represents OHR at community and public events, and evaluates the effectiveness of outreach, public information, and social media efforts in advancing OHR’s mission.
Major Duties and Responsibilities Plans, initiates, and implements comprehensive public affairs campaigns to enhance the understanding of the organization’s programs in achieving greater understanding of the organization’s mission and functions.
Evaluates information problems encountered in communicating the organization’s programs.
Analyzes information needs in terms of the public needs to be met and provides advice on program information problems to program staff.
Advises the organization’s top management officials on the possible public and media reactions to proposed policy statements or organization’s actions.
Formulates and recommends policies, programs and procedures governing information functions related to the work of the organization.
Represents the organization in a variety of community outreach activities, meetings, and public forums; speaks to groups and individuals regarding activities and services; and participates as an active member of designated community organizations and/or committees.
Develops and disseminates a wide range of information and data concerning the nature and objectives of organization programs, employing all types of media outlets.
Prepares reports, presentations, and briefings to capture stakeholder concerns.
Prepares newsletters or other communications for distribution to the components within the organization to keep them acquainted with programs at organization headquarters.
Prepares and/or drafts content for press releases, speeches, blog articles, internet or other outlets which convey to the general public or specific stakeholder groups information about programs and/or services, testimonies or comments for proposed local and federal regulations, and/or recommendations impacting the delivery of programs and services.
Develops appropriate communication channels, techniques and strategies for use by others in disseminating information to hard-to-reach audiences.
Qualifications & Education Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression.
Licenses and Certifications None
Work Conditions/Environment The work is sedentary primarily requiring no unusual physical demands.
Other Significant Factors Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (occasional weekends)
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-1035-13
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Duration of Appointment: Career Service
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not in a Collective Bargaining Unit.
Position Destination: This position has been deemed Security Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations. Accordingly, incumbents must successfully pass a criminal background and consumer credit check as a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of their tenure.
Residency Preference: When claiming residency preference, you are required, and must agree in writing, to maintain bona fide District residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the effective date of employment. You will be required to present documents (proofs) to show District residency and failure to maintain bona-fide District residency for the seven-year (7-year) period will result in forfeiture of employment.
EEO Statement The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.
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The Public Affairs Specialist leads the agency’s public affairs activities by developing and implementing communication strategies, advising leadership on public and media considerations, and creating outreach approaches including for underserved communities. The role also manages the development of communication materials, represents OHR at community and public events, and evaluates the effectiveness of outreach, public information, and social media efforts in advancing OHR’s mission.
Major Duties and Responsibilities Plans, initiates, and implements comprehensive public affairs campaigns to enhance the understanding of the organization’s programs in achieving greater understanding of the organization’s mission and functions.
Evaluates information problems encountered in communicating the organization’s programs.
Analyzes information needs in terms of the public needs to be met and provides advice on program information problems to program staff.
Advises the organization’s top management officials on the possible public and media reactions to proposed policy statements or organization’s actions.
Formulates and recommends policies, programs and procedures governing information functions related to the work of the organization.
Represents the organization in a variety of community outreach activities, meetings, and public forums; speaks to groups and individuals regarding activities and services; and participates as an active member of designated community organizations and/or committees.
Develops and disseminates a wide range of information and data concerning the nature and objectives of organization programs, employing all types of media outlets.
Prepares reports, presentations, and briefings to capture stakeholder concerns.
Prepares newsletters or other communications for distribution to the components within the organization to keep them acquainted with programs at organization headquarters.
Prepares and/or drafts content for press releases, speeches, blog articles, internet or other outlets which convey to the general public or specific stakeholder groups information about programs and/or services, testimonies or comments for proposed local and federal regulations, and/or recommendations impacting the delivery of programs and services.
Develops appropriate communication channels, techniques and strategies for use by others in disseminating information to hard-to-reach audiences.
Qualifications & Education Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, one (1) year of specialized experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade in the normal line of progression.
Licenses and Certifications None
Work Conditions/Environment The work is sedentary primarily requiring no unusual physical demands.
Other Significant Factors Tour of Duty: Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (occasional weekends)
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-1035-13
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Duration of Appointment: Career Service
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not in a Collective Bargaining Unit.
Position Destination: This position has been deemed Security Sensitive under the guidelines of the DC Personnel Manual. Incumbents of this position are subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC personnel regulations. Accordingly, incumbents must successfully pass a criminal background and consumer credit check as a condition of employment and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of their tenure.
Residency Preference: When claiming residency preference, you are required, and must agree in writing, to maintain bona fide District residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the effective date of employment. You will be required to present documents (proofs) to show District residency and failure to maintain bona-fide District residency for the seven-year (7-year) period will result in forfeiture of employment.
EEO Statement The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.
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